Natasha Brand

Biography: As a Population Health Strategist Natasha is a facilitator and connector. She is working to incorporate health as a factor in planning and design. She represents ULI at both regional & global levels as a member of the Health Leader Network, and as an active member of the Northwest Arkansas District Council. Natasha’s early career began in the UK working in the legal industry. Upon moving to the USA, Natasha received her B.Sc. in Human and Family Science with a focus on Contemporary Human Environment, followed by her M.Sc. at the University of Arkansas. Her areas of research within health and the built environment have included health impacts, land impact and usage, collaboration on city masterplans, trail plans and pilot studies, and the State’s bicycle and pedestrian initiative. Community collaborations with schools, city governments, sports organizations, and non-profits encouraged Natasha to pursue further research opportunities exploring how health and the built environment intersect. Natasha’s experience across multiple sectors including academia, clinical, non-profit and private sector research has allowed her to see a cross-disciplinary disconnect and led to a developing interest in resiliency and social equity. Her current research attempts to address this disconnect through the development of research initiatives, provision of educational tools, and access to the industry resources needed to advance in these areas; supporting more resilient communities that include walkable, diverse, healthy, and affordable neighborhoods.