Our Speakers

Kayla Hornback, MPA, as an MPA professional and Loyal Donor Officer at Partners in Health, is deeply committed to advancing global health equity by fostering long-term relationships with donors who are passionate about transforming healthcare in underserved communities worldwide. With a strong background in nonprofit management and strategic fundraising, she works to ensure that our donors feel connected to and inspired by the impact we make in providing quality care to those who need it most. Her experience in public administration allows her to blend strategic thinking with a focus on sustainable donor engagement, ensuring that our efforts toward health equity are supported by dedicated individuals who share our vision of a more just and equitable global healthcare system. 

Dana L. Thomas, MPH is the Director of the Adolescent Health Initiative at University of Michigan Health. A natural connector and collaborator, she leverages the strengths of her team to build the capacity of youth, youth-serving organizations, and healthcare institutions to better serve their communities. 

With over two decades of experience, Dana has worked alongside communities and institutions using a participatory action approach to improve heath, advance health equity, and enhance capacity through training. She has traveled the world—and her own backyard—partnering with youth to develop their public health skills, competency, and cultural awareness. 

Her work in disaster recovery has taken her to Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. She brings expertise in youth development and engagement, partnership and program development, and applied research. Her interests include health equity, rural and island health, capacity-building for communities and organizations, public health preparedness, and evidence-based public health. 

Dana embraces the unknown and actively seeks moments of discomfort as opportunities to expand her understanding of humanity. She loves a good story and uses storytelling to engage and inspire, particularly the next generation of leaders. She holds a B.A. in History from Wayne State University and M.P.H. in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan.