To improve the lives of all Americans, the American Heart Association provides public health education in a variety of ways. They are the nation’s leader in CPR education training. They help people understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. They also educate lawmakers, policymakers and the public as they advocate for changes to protect and improve the health of our communities.
Jesabel Rivera-Guerra is the Community Health Director of the Pittsburgh Metro office. In the following interview, she speaks about the experience of partnering with PULSE.
CC: Why did your organization decide to work with PULSE?
JRG: We were not only looking for someone to complete the tasks, but a leader who can understand the community and to be able to build rapport with the people. We trusted PULSE to provide this leader and we were not disappointed!
CC: What is the most rewarding part of working with PULSE?
JRG: For ambitious goals and an ambitious vision, you need to have the right people in place to make the meaningful impact in the community. It is rewarding to see that we are achieving that ambitious and in the process, we are building meaningful relationships.
CC: How has your partnership with PULSE impacted your organization?
JRG: Partnership with PULSE have made things possible and achievable! PULSE fellows come in with the expertise, with their passion, but also with their connections and collective impact approach. This sentiment PULSE brings is contagious and helps build a culture of collaboration internally and externally.
CC: What do you like most about your current PULSE follow and/or other fellows you’ve worked with?
JRG: Ashish and I have very clear (and high) expectations for each other. It has been a huge help the fact that he is committed to the mission and the organization goals are his goals. But most importantly, I like the most that he understands social determinants of health and he uses that to empower participants, demand more accessible processes and develop meaningful partnerships.
CC: What would you tell other Pittsburgh nonprofits about PULSE?
JRG: PULSE has been the best thing that could ever happen to our project and organization. Don’t be afraid of taking that big goal or program and decide to address it by partnering with PULSE. They are truly a factory of agents of change!
Check out more great Partner Stories.
This is part of a series of posts about the Nonprofit Partner experience with PULSE. If you would like to learn more about a Nonprofit Partnership, please visit our Partner Page.