Uniting Trailblazers at the 2024 America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit

This fall, Healthier Generation gathered over 400 educators, public health leaders, and industry experts in Little Rock, Arkansas for three days of celebration and professional development at the 2024 America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit. Attendees from winning schools in over 30 states shared insights and best practices, celebrated achievements in health and well-being, and strategized for a healthier, more equitable future for our schools and communities.

The agenda featured sessions on a variety of critical topics at the intersection of health and learning, including:

• A keynote address by Dr. Kofi Essel, Food as Medicine Director at Elevance Health, on the essential role schools play in addressing food and nutrition security.
• A panel on increasing student attendance and addressing absenteeism through staff well-being, featuring Hedy Chang, Executive Director of Attendance Works; Sharon Bradley, Director of Family & Social Services for Plano Independent School District; Lisle Reed, Whole Child Initiatives Coordinator at Adams 12 Five Star Schools; and Mary Mancuso, National Program Lead for Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools.
• A workshop on deepening the connection between health and learning through powerful storytelling, led by Dr. Kyle MacDonald, Healthier Generation’s Chief Science Officer; Sunny Vachher, UN Ambassador and Founder of SUNNY; Julee Baber Brooks, CEO of Woodcraft Rangers; and Elizabeth Zamudio, VP of Education at UnidosUS.
• An interactive taste test demonstration led by Bibie Wu, Chief Communications and Technical Development Officer at Del Monte Foods.

The highlight of the summit was the Friday evening Recognition Ceremony, hosted in the Great Hall at the William J. Clinton Library and Museum, where this year’s 66 All-Star Schools were individually celebrated for achieving recognition in all nine America’s Healthiest Schools topic areas. Healthier Generation also announced its 2024 Corporate Hero Awardee, Del Monte Foods, honored for its commitment to supporting food and nutrition access through the Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools program.

Reflecting on their time in Little Rock, attendees had an overwhelmingly positive experience at the Summit:

“It was such a joyous occasion with all of the schools celebrating their accomplishments toward creating healthy learning environments. We were so happy to be there and proud to be supporters of the amazing cause.” – Richie Ressel, National University

“I would like to thank AHG for giving me the opportunity to meet people who are passionate about our children having a healthier future. This ignited a fire in me for sure!” – Anonymous

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the America's Healthiest Leaders Summit. Thank you for everything you did to make it a valuable learning and memorable experience! Representatives from the Tennessee Department of Education recently visited our school, seeing firsthand the highlights of our work, and presented us with a large banner. We’ve had several opportunities to share about receiving the All-Star recognition and have received positive vibes.” – Mary Gilbert, Ed.S. Robert E. Lee Elementary School Principal

We look forward to celebrating America’s Healthiest Schools again at Leaders Summit 2025! For more information about the summit, visit ahsleadersummit.org.

Many thanks to our Leaders Summit attendees, awardees, and corporate sponsors and supporters, including American Heart Association, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cairn Guidance, Del Monte Foods, Elkay, GoNoodle!, Kaiser Permanente, Lakeshore Learning, Crayola Flowers, Kohl’s, and Strala Yoga for joining us at this transformative event.