Elizabeth Solhtalab joined PCA America as its Chief Public Policy and Government Relations Officer, effective in January. Solhtalab most recently served as Associate Director for Policy and Partnerships at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Office of Policy and Partnerships where she oversaw the partnership, legislative/government relations activities and strategic direction for the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Solhtalab has dedicated her life to service. At CDC, Solhtalab served as a leader for three teams dedicated to government relations, state health policy initiatives and federal partnerships and business/NGO relationships. She played a key role in the growth of programs related to the primary prevention of violence, overdose, and suicide. She also led strategy and innovation and was the key champion of multiple pivotal efforts in the Center.

Prior to her position as Associate Director for Policy and Partnerships, Solhtalab served as the Legislative Team Lead for the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Office of Policy and Partnerships, where she led the development, implementation, and continuous update of the first legislative strategy put in place at the Center. With her leadership, the Center’s strategic outreach to Congress was transformed.

Solhtalab has also served in state government, working across public health programs and state legislatures and has also served in the United States Air Force, where she was awarded multiple medals for her achievements. Solhtalab received her master’s degree in public administration from Kennesaw State University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law studies from Georgia State University.

At Prevent Child Abuse America, Solhtalab will provide public policy and advocacy leadership, including mobilizing support for the organization’s federal policy priorities, participating in national coalitions and increasing the advocacy capacity of the Prevent Child Abuse America state chapter network and Healthy Families America home visiting network. Solhtalab will work in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, Board of Directors, Prevent Child Abuse state chapters and Healthy Families America sites to advance the organization’s policy priorities and represent Prevent Child Abuse America and the child abuse prevention field on Capitol Hill and in public advocacy forums.