Colletta Brabham-Orr, DrPH, MPH

Colletta Brabham-Orr, DrPH, MPH, is a public health scientist, author, and community health advocate with more than 21 years of experience spanning cancer research, scientific communication, and health equity. She is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Colletta Brabham-Orr & Associates, LLC, a Rockville, Maryland-based firm specializing in cancer disparities, health equity, program evaluation, and scientific communication.

Dr. Brabham-Orr began her career at the bench, holding research appointments at the National Cancer Institute and Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, before spending more than 17 years in scientific communication at Merck. Her doctoral research examined the sociodemographic and geographic factors behind breast cancer survival disparities among women in the United States, drawing on national SEER data from more than 285,000 patients.

For over 11 years, she has led the EmpowerHER Health Initiative, which provides cancer prevention, genetic risk education, and survivorship support. Through EmpowerHER, she has served more than 800 women, partnered with over 16 community organizations, and facilitated more than 300 screenings and referrals. She is also the author of Cancer Doesn't Always Win: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating Breast & Ovarian Cancer.

A South Carolina native, Dr. Brabham-Orr holds a BS in Biology from Voorhees University, an MPH, and a DrPH. She brings to the Advisory Council a deep commitment to ensuring that every person touched by cancer has access to knowledge, support, and community.