Mrs. Paloma was a panelist for the Forum’s discussion on Health in the American Workplace.
Marjorie Paloma, MPH, who leads RWJF’s efforts in engaging business for health, believes that the Foundation is uniquely positioned to leverage research, investments, leadership, relationships and networks to create timely and enduring social change. She feels that “businesses have a tremendous role to play in shaping our nation’s health.”
Most recently, she played an integral role in coordinating and supporting the Foundation’s strategic thinking efforts which defined direction in 2014. Throughout her tenure at the Foundation, Paloma’s work has focused on laws and policies to improve health, with an emphasis on childhood obesity, tobacco control and other population health issues. Her portfolio includes working with businesses, policymakers, community leaders and stakeholders to support actions that make it easier for people to make healthy choices in the communities where they live, learn, work and play.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Paloma managed the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line at the University of Wisconsin-Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, where she designed and implemented ways to help people quit tobacco use. Prior to that, she staffed the Wisconsin Tobacco Control Board, an 18-member governor-appointed board. In this capacity she provided guidance in the development of the state tobacco control strategy and organized and coordinated the state and local policy advocacy efforts. She believes that this experience showed her how bringing diverse partners to the table can create the power and influence to achieve enduring change. “It wasn’t your typical group. It was made up of elected officials with opposing political views, high school students, a medical school dean, a prominent business owner, community leaders and hard-core advocates. From their differing perspectives and viewpoints, emerged a laser focus and unwavering commitment to improving the health of Wisconsin’s residents.”
Born in Baltimore, Paloma earned an MPH in sociomedical sciences from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and a BA in biology from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She resides with her partner in Central N.J., and has one child. She enjoys live music, cooking ethnic food, and has plans to hike every national park in her lifetime.
