Robert DeForde (he/him) is a public health leader and healthcare equity advocate serving as a Senior Program Manager with Shatterproof’s National Stigma Initiative, where he leads the development and delivery of the Provider’s Pathway learning experience. He brings extensive experience in program design, stakeholder engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and evidence-based strategies that advance health equity and drive system-level change.
Robert’s passion for sustainable public health change is grounded in both professional experience and lived experience. He previously co-founded the Texas Bleeding Disorders Coalition, bringing together the advocacy goals of the state’s two bleeding disorders organizations for the first time. He also draws on his lived experience as a member of the recovery community to inform his commitment to reducing stigma and improving care for people affected by substance use disorder.
Robert holds a Master of Public Health in Health Equity from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member. Through his work in practice and education, Robert is dedicated to translating research, advocacy, and lived experience into actionable strategies that reduce disparities, empower communities, and improve health outcomes nationwide.
