Our Team
Ariel Childs
Executive Director
Ariel is driven by the belief that access to health is a human right, and is dedicated to building a new liberated model of community health that is designed from the margins and rooted in relationships. After over a decade of directing maternal and child health equity programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Ariel joined Vital CxNs to lead the organizations strategic development and catalyze activities advancing Vital CxNs ambitious goals. In addition to radically reimagining health equity, Ariel can be found immersed in her own 'vital connections' with those she loves, including adventuring around Boston with her partner Jesse and their two kiddos Hazel and Simone.
Mariana Cohen
Co-Founder & Deputy Director
Mariana is a first generation Venezuelan immigrant committed to rebuilding inefficient and ineffective systems to create an ecosystem of health that is accessible to all. With a background in public health and social work, she has spent time both providing direct clinical services, and developing and delivering programs. At Vital CxNs, Mariana spends her time designing processes that enable the team to catalyze, convene, and connect, in addition to overseeing our food systems initiatives. When she is not deep in strategic conversations with Ariel, you can find her painting with watercolors, cooking for loved ones, or on a walking trail with her husband, Ben and their pitbull, Archie.
Mary Ulseth
Project Manager
Mary believes in the power of community to drive health equity. She is dedicated to building meaningful relationships, creating inclusive environments, and bridging the gap between diverse stakeholders. Her background in macro social work, community-engaged research, and experiential learning uniquely shapes her approach to working alongside community members to create positive systems change. At Vital CxNs, Mary leads our mental health and maternal health initiatives. In her free time, Mary loves running with Pioneers and TrailblazHers run crews, being in nature, traveling, dancing with her partner Abeo, and loving on their dog, Orzo.
Briana Acosta
Project Manager
Briana is an indigenous Boricua and Mexican woman from a low-income background who is dedicated to partnering with equity-deserving communities to create the conditions for holistic wellbeing. Her lived experience, passion for storytelling, and background in multisectoral collaboration through research, direct service, and policy roles inform her approach to equity-driven systems change. At Vital CxNs, Briana leads our food access initiative and clinical community-partnerships. When she is not co-creating a more just world with communities, she is nurturing her mind-body-spirit connection through dance, painting, and other creative arts, learning about different cultures through food and travel, and baking for her loved ones.
Rosie Docanto
Community Engagement Specialist
Rosie is a holistic healer and advocate passionate about building healthier communities through various wellness modalities. As a certified trauma-informed yoga teacher and holistic wellness educator, she enjoys curating brave spaces for people to connect, learn, and practice self-care. She believes that community engagement is vital for people to thrive—mind, body, and spirit. At Vital CxNs, Rosie works across the organization to ensure our initiatives are engaging and responsive to community members in meaningful and impactful ways. In her free time, you can find her on the yoga mat, working out, traveling, gardening, and immersing herself in nature.
Rebecca Riley Greene
Community Leader
Rebecca is dedicated to her community and helping others. She believes collaboration and community voices are key to solving food insecurity and providing essential care and resources to those in need. At Vital CxNs, Rebecca helps lead our food access initiatives and helps run the Hyde Park Food Pop Up which serves fresh produce to over 200 families per week. In her role as Community Leader, she seeks to empower others to advocate for their needs and be a part of decision making in their communities. Rebecca loves spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and pups and whenever she gets the chance, traveling to great beaches around the world!
Rich Joseph
Founding Director, Board of Directors Co-chair
Rich’s mission is to create the ideas that inspire, conditions that enable, and initiatives and systems that empower individuals and communities to achieve optimal health and well-being. As the Founding Director and Chair of the Board of Directors at Vital CxNs, he works to forge cross-sector partnerships, engage stakeholders, and ensure the sustainability of Vital CxNs. Rich received his medical training at Brigham and Women's Hospital where he currently practices in Obesity Medicine and serves on faculty at Harvard Medical School. Rich’s life is enriched (and at times overflowing) by his three wonderful young children and his wife, Sarah, who keep him grounded, active, laughing, and on his toes!
MaryAnn Uduebo
Scholar*
MaryAnn is dedicated to redesigning existing inefficient and inequitable health systems to reflect the needs of diverse and vulnerable populations. She is passionate about creating engaging community health programs focused on preventative care and lifestyle interventions through intentional collaboration with community stakeholders. A pre-med student at Harvard College, MaryAnn has a deep interest in the potential of clinical-community partnerships to reimagine healthcare access for populations historically underserved by current health infrastructure. Outside of school and work, MaryAnn enjoys hosting her show at the student radio station, spending time with her friends, and tackling creative sewing projects!
Health Equity Internship Program*
Our Health Equity Internship Program was created to fill a gap we identified in public health education and workforce development for those who are eager to work in a variety of sectors with a shared goal of redesigning community health infrastructure. This program provides budding health equity champions with an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge base necessary to leverage authentic community partnerships in strategic upstream interventions. Scholars learn from and contribute to systems change community health strategies and solutions across all projects at Vital CxNs, while also participating in the dynamic internal processes of a start-up non-profit.