Mount Holyoke Alum Promotes Public Health
Eugenie Elie, a 2016 graduate of Mount Holyoke College, is applying her skills in research and leadership to improve vital public services at both federal and local levels. She currently collaborates with engineers to modernize Medicare payment systems, working to ensure they better meet the needs of users.
Elie earned her degree in medical anthropology along with certificates in public health and African studies. Her interest in aiding health care began in high school and grew during her undergraduate years, where she led the student organization Hope of Haiti to support Haitian mothers. She also designed a pilot tooth-brushing program for youth in Kingston, Jamaica. These experiences revealed to her the disconnect between administrators of health programs and the communities they serve—a gap she committed herself to closing.
Following graduation, Elie fought to improve health equity among youth in Philadelphia. She lobbied state officials to inform policies that directly affected students, including securing access to safe drinking water in schools. Her advocacy led to her appointment to the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, where she advised on issues affecting immigrant communities.
In 2017, Elie launched her own consulting and research business, Eve of Strategy, which supports projects in the health and wellness sector. She describes her role as that of an “uncoverer, connector, and catalyzer,” helping organizations move from ideas to action while uniting teams around their shared purpose to serve others.
Her portfolio includes extensive collaborations with the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University. There, she has conducted research on digitizing public services, including unemployment insurance within the U.S. Department of Labor. She also studied survivor experiences during the California wildfires, with her findings used by the governor’s office to inform policies on disaster response and equitable service delivery.
Elie’s work demonstrates how research and advocacy can translate into systems change that directly benefits communities. Whether advising on health care, workforce development, or government technology, she emphasizes a people-centered approach to public service.
Looking ahead, Elie plans to continue her efforts at the intersection of health, innovation and community impact. She notes that her guiding principles are to “center spirit, self-love, and loving her community,” ensuring her professional path remains grounded in both equity and humanity.
