Jennifer Leonardo, a nationally known expert in public health and injury and violence prevention, has extensive experience in quality improvement, health and social work program development, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and capacity building. Her expertise includes trauma-informed care, diversity and cross-cultural issues, intimate partner violence prevention and treatment, and suicide and self-harm prevention.
In her leadership of Children’s Safety Network at EDC, Leonardo builds the capacity of states and jurisdictions to use data and evidence-based strategies to reduce injury-related deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits. She guided 21 states and jurisdictions in improving child safety through rapid cycle tests of change and supported state public health workers in spreading evidence-based practices.
Leonardo developed an evidence-based theory and model for school-based trauma-informed support in Massachusetts public schools. Internationally, she managed a countrywide public health quality improvement program and facilitated a leadership development program with health workers in seven African countries.
She holds an MSW and PhD from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and an AB in Biology from Harvard University.