Jean C. Accius, Ph.D. – a two-time Florida State University graduate – was recently named the President and CEO of Creating Healthier Communities (CHC), a national nonprofit that works to remove the barriers to good health and equity.
With his appointment, Dr. Accius became the first Black leader in the organization’s history.
He will be in charge of growing the CHC’s impact, relevance, and revenue in the new role.
“I was drawn to CHC’s powerful mission and dedicated board and staff team,” Dr. Accius said. “It’s an incredible honor to join CHC at this significant time, just as the organization has completed a successful evolution to health equity. This is an era of unprecedented opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to grow CHC’s impact, relevance, and revenue. Together, we’ll break down the barriers to good health and equity and create resilient communities where everyone can thrive.”
After initially earning a B.S. in Hospitality Management from FSU in 2002, he graduated from the College of Social Science and Public Policy a year later with an M.S. in Aging Studies.
FSU was just the beginning of his academic achievements however, as Dr. Accius later went to get his Ph.D. in Public Administration from American University and received various certifications from several other prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Stanford University.
Prior to CHC, Dr. Accius held a number of roles at AARP, most recently as Senior Vice President of Global Thought Leadership, where he helped establish the organization as a global convener and thought leader.
“Jean is an inspiring, impactful leader, personally and professionally dedicated to our mission,” said CHC Board Chair Adam Rothschild.