Transforming Public Health Strategy: Meet Janelle Taveras PHD – Evaluation and Empowerment Coaching and Consultancy

At Janelle Taveras PHD – Evaluation and Empowerment Coaching and Consultancy, we believe strategy is more than a plan—it’s a pathway to impact. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Janelle Taveras, a seasoned epidemiologist and master evaluator, our firm specializes in advancing health equity through strategic planning, systems evaluation, and capacity building. Our bilingual consultancy brings deep experience and a national footprint, working alongside health departments, community-based organizations, and government agencies to strengthen public health infrastructure and uplift underserved communities.

Who We Are

Dr. Janelle Taveras, PhD leads our consultancy with nearly two decades of hands-on experience in public health, specializing in HIV prevention, care, and surveillance. Her subject matter expertise spans from evaluation practices and data interpretation to the design of strategic, equity-centered frameworks that drive real-world outcomes.

Supporting her is Samuel Taveras Núñez, M.Ed., MPH, a nationally recognized public health leader and architect of transformative CDC initiatives. With more than 30 years of experience, Mr. Taveras brings unmatched knowledge in strategic visioning, partnership development, and intergovernmental coordination. His leadership has shaped national public health policies, scaled federal programs, and brought sustainable change to communities across the U.S. and its territories.

What We Do

We help organizations align their missions with actionable, equity-focused strategies. Our expertise includes:

• Strategic planning and systems design

• Evaluation framework development and implementation

• Data-driven decision-making and performance measurement

• Workforce development and capacity building

• Community-centered facilitation

• Federal grant strategy for CDC and HRSA opportunities

• Monitoring & evaluation (M&E) for HIV prevention and care programs

  
  

We bring a balance of grassroots insight and federal expertise to every engagement—delivering plans that are thoughtful, inclusive, and prepared for measurable impact.

Proven Results and National Impact

Our firm’s influence is felt across multiple jurisdictions and national initiatives. Notable accomplishments include:

• Founding the Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program to build a sustainable public health workforce in U.S. territories

• Establishing CDC’s Office of Island Affairs, creating a historic platform for territorial program coordination

• Designing the National Public Health Partnerships Initiative, expanding it to $110M across 360 projects

• Leading the creation of culturally responsive HIV/AIDS prevention frameworks, helping jurisdictions optimize Test and Treat strategies, PrEP and nPEP adoption, and community mobilization efforts

• Authoring and advising on over 15 major federal funding announcements, shaping health equity policy and services nationwide

Whether we’re guiding a small nonprofit or supporting a state-wide planning council, we lead with one question: How can we help you achieve your mission more effectively, more equitably, and more sustainably?

Centering Equity in Every Step

Equity is not a buzzword—it is the foundation of our work. Our team has designed and implemented equity-centered strategies for organizations across the U.S., ensuring that community voices are embedded in every level of planning and decision-making.

From culturally competent data tools to inclusive facilitation and stakeholder engagement, we ensure that strategic plans are not only reflective of community needs—but led by them.

Meet the Team

🧠 Dr. Janelle Taveras, PhD

Principal Consultant & Project Lead

• Epidemiologist, evaluator, and public health innovator

• 19+ years of experience in HIV prevention and integrated care planning

• Expert in evaluation design, data communication, and strategy facilitation

• Former national advisory representative (PACHA, UCHAPS, Florida Planning Networks)

• Passionate advocate for health, fitness, and community empowerment

🔍 Samuel Taveras Núñez, M.Ed., MPH

Senior Strategic Planning Advisor

• 30+ years of experience leading CDC national programs

• Visionary behind landmark initiatives in HIV/AIDS prevention, health partnerships, and emergency response

• Proven leader in capacity-building across Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific

• Skilled in cross-sector collaboration, grants management, and systems alignment

Together, our team brings more than 50 years of combined public health leadership—ready to support your mission and amplify your impact.

Let’s Build a Healthier Future—Together

At Janelle Taveras PHD – Evaluation and Empowerment Coaching and Consultancy, we’re not just consultants—we’re co-creators, collaborators, and champions for equitable systems change.

We’re here to help your organization move from intention to impact.

🌐 Visit us at www.empoweringlives.online

📧 Contact: janelletaveras@hotmail.com

📞 Phone: (754) 275-8865

Let’s transform the future of public health—together.

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