Truth Initiative names veteran health policy advocate to lead community and youth engagement

Truth Initiative brought on Amy Taylor to lead its community-level engagement and youth activism programs. Taylor, a veteran of the reproductive health, education and advocacy arena, joined the organization as senior vice president for community and youth engagement.

“Amy’s vast experience spearheading grassroots and advocacy organizing will help us make this the generation of youth and young adults who end tobacco use,” said Truth Initiative CEO and President Robin Koval.

Taylor joins Truth Initiative from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she was chief external affairs officer. She rose to that position over two decades with Planned Parenthood and Planned Parenthood Action Fund where she served in several senior leadership roles.

 “Her successes building a national young adult advocacy network, working with Planned Parenthood’s state chapters to engage African American and Latina youth and doubling Planned Parenthood’s presence on college campuses, are illustrative of the depth of her organizing background. Amy’s skill set will be critical to our efforts to extend the reach of our community-level programs and foster change within communities impacted by tobacco use,” Koval added.

Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association and member of the Truth Initiative Board of Directors, celebrated the announcement.

“As our nation makes progress in reducing tobacco use, Truth Initiative continues to demonstrate its commitment to serving the populations who are at highest risk of tobacco-related death and disease,” he said. “Community engagement and youth activism empowers meaningful change in our communities. Amy Taylor’s experiences working with minority groups, minority youth and college students will make Truth Initiative’s community and youth engagement programs even stronger in pursuit of our vision of a tobacco-free generation.”