People

Sal Valadez promotes workforce development and education among underserved immigrant and ethnic communities, and developed a coalition of nonprofits and health providers to address their unmet health care needs. Community Engagement Statement Community engagement and collaboration, inclusive of immigrant, ethnic, historically disadvantaged, underserved, and underrepresented communities, is at the core of who I am. Building […]

Community Engagement Statement Community engagement is important to me because it allows me to contribute to the growth, confidence, and long-term success of our youth. By showing up consistently and leading with purpose, we help shape the next generation of leaders and strengthen the communities we serve.

Rachel Powers is a proud St. Louis native and has spent her career elevating the voices of communities to recognize and actualize their power to make change. In her previous role, she served as Communications Manager for Noble Schools in Chicago, Illinois. There, she managed external and internal communications, public and media relations, social media, […]

David Pole, PhD, joined the staff of the Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement in August 2025 as the community-engaged education manager. He has worked in health care and health promotion in the private, public, and higher education sectors. Most recently, he was a faculty member at Saint Louis University, focusing on interprofessional practice and education […]

Marissa Hardwrict, PhD, is a transformative leader in higher education, with over 17 years of experience designing, implementing, and leading impactful educational programs, professional development initiatives, and community-engaged research collaborations. She specializes in fostering equitable learning environments, building strategic partnerships, and advancing workforce development for underrepresented populations. Previously, Dr. Hardwrict served as education specialist and […]

Julia Robbins is the communications specialist for the Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement and WashU’s Office of Public Scholarship. Prior to joining the Confluence Collaborative, she worked for a nonprofit consulting firm in New York City and as a communications and marketing specialist for the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement at WashU. She […]

Gerard Mejia is the Data Coordinator for the Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement at WashU. Gerard’s diverse experience in legal settings, political campaigns, and nonprofits has shaped him into a dedicated and passionate advocate for his community. Despite Gerard’s short time in St. Louis, he is committed to making a stronger and equitable St. Louis. […]

Katie Houck is the associate director of the Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement at WashU. With extensive experience in nonprofit management, community-engaged higher education, and program development, Katie is dedicated to creating programs and resources that support mutually beneficial, sustainable partnerships and is a passionate advocate for community engagement and equity. Prior to WashU, Katie […]

Erica L. Bumpers, PhD, is a visionary educator, field researcher, and strategic innovator with over two decades of experience transforming educational systems and advancing equity in marginalized communities. As the Research Development Associate with the Confluence Collaborative at WashU, she leads cutting-edge research initiatives that bridge data, policy, and practice to improve life outcomes for […]

Bettina Drake, PhD, MPH, a distinguished cancer epidemiologist and professor of Surgery at WashU Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center, serves as the director of the Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement. As a recognized expert in reducing cancer disparities, Dr. Drake’s research focuses on cancer prevention through nutritional and community-based approaches. She co-leads the Prostate Cancer […]