Just like a music or art studio, Health+ Studio at its core is a space to push our collective thinking, validate hunches, examine actions, and bolster creative confidence.

Our values define how we think and work:

• Be a thought partner: The creative energy in our work comes from partnership, not ownership. We want to build with our clients, not for them. We believe that divergent points of views are the spark that light new ideas.

• Move with humility: We recognize that we don’t always have the answers and others may know more than us. We embrace listening, observing and growing with others and celebrate being a part of something bigger. 

• Stay curious: Our curiosity is driven by our desire to learn. We turn things over and see what’s underneath. We want to understand what’s working and what’s not working so we can do better the next time. 

• Create to delight: We aspire to captivate people’s attention and imagination. We strive to build things intentionally that appeal to people’s senses and make people stop, think, and do something.

• Lift up the good: We recognize and celebrate what’s good and working—no matter how big or small. We believe that our work evolves from the good work of others and, in turn, feel a responsibility to do our part in putting good work back into the world.

• Stay optimistic:  Optimism is our engine for action, keeping us motivated, open minded, and focused on solutions. We believe that optimism is contagious and has the power to bring us together to create a better and more just world.

Studio Founders

We started Health+ Studio with the vision to bring together the creative energy of a design firm, the behavior change skills of a marketing agency, and scientific rigor of public health, with the core belief that we all need to roll up our sleeves to make health possible for all.

Jabeen Yusuf

Jabeen Yusuf (she/her) is a seasoned social impact strategist and brand marketer with a passion for improving health and wellness for children and families. Prior to founding Health+ Studio, Jabeen served as Vice President of Strategic Engagement at Center For Youth Wellness, a pediatric health care non-profit organization founded by California’s Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris to improve health outcomes for children impacted by trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Jabeen led the Center’s marketing communications, thought leadership and public education efforts including the Stress Health National Public Education Initiative that aimed to engage parents on the impact of trauma on children’s long-term health and wellness.

Prior to her shift into health and social impact work, Jabeen spent 20 years spearheading brand strategies for global brands such as Procter & Gamble, General Motors, Google and Disney Corporation. Jabeen also led Ad Council campaigns for Partnership For a Drug Free American and American Psychological Association (APA). Jabeen sits on the board for YES Nature to Neighborhoods, a community-based non-profit providing leadership pathways through nature enrichment to youth and families in Richmond, CA.

Jabeen is an experienced Design Thinking practitioner and was a cohort for the California College of the Arts (CCA) Leading by Design Fellows Program. She is a magna cum laude graduate of FIT School of Art and Design in New York City. 

A citizen of the world, Jabeen was born in Pakistan, spent her formative school years in Saudi Arabia. She speaks English, Hindi and Urdu fluently and can understand conversational Arabic. Jabeen lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter.

Sara Silverio Marques, DrPH, MPH

Sara Silverio Marques (she/her) is an experienced public health leader, driven to rethink how we promote the health of our children, families, and communities globally. Sara believes deeply in the power of thought partnership—“we build better together.” Sara’s experience spans direct service, program management, capacity building, research, and policy advocacy. She has worked in deeply rooted community-based organizations and as part of state, national, and multi-country efforts. 

Prior to Health+ Studio, Sara was part of the leadership team at the Center for Youth Wellness, the pediatric health care non-profit organization founded by California’s Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris to improve health outcomes for children impacted by trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). At the Center, she led the organization’s strategy on field building, which included cross-sector policy advocacy, statewide coalition building, and healthcare provider training and technical assistance for ACEs/trauma screening.

Sara has developed and implemented many public health and health promotion programs including individual and group-based, peer education, parenting, workforce, re-entry and opportunity youth programs. Her work has also included capacity building and training around effective program design in childhood trauma, youth development, violence prevention, sexual health promotion, and family support programming.

Sara earned her Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Public Health, with a focus on global health promotion, from George Washington University.

Sara is a first generation American, native of the Washington, DC area, with family roots in Portugal and El Salvador. She speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish fluently. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her family.

Melinda Noack

Melinda Noack (she/they) is a collaborative communications and project management professional driven by the belief that we can and must build a kinder and more equitable society and culture. Melinda has applied her empathy, attention to detail and process, and ability to refine complex concepts across a wide range of fields, including affordable housing, social services for individuals, children, and families, public art, publishing, and civil engineering.

Prior to joining Health+ Studio, Melinda led and managed communications for the largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing in San Francisco, the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC), for six years. While in her role, she oversaw and developed external communications, such as the organization’s website, social media, core messaging, speeches, public statements, promotional videos, crisis communications, newsletters, fundraising materials, and event marketing. Under her leadership, she managed the nonprofit’s first comprehensive rebrand, including a full website, logo, and brand suite redesign, with an emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility in both the process and deliverables. The award-winning rebrand received praise from all levels of staff, board members, donors, and community members– a testament to the power of collaboration and thoughtful communications. 

A lifelong learner at heart, Melinda holds a BA in English from UC Berkeley with a minor in Russian Language, Literature, and Culture.

Originally from Southern California, Melinda has proudly called the East Bay her home for the last 14 years. She loves going on walks, dancing, snacking, writing, and being part of and supporting the communities that shaped her.

Kathleen Miller

Kathleen Miller (she/her) is an experienced project manager and communications professional with a deep background in content development and creative partnerships. Committed to advancing equity and social impact through storytelling opportunities and human-centered design for all, she is a passionate believer in the power of narrative to ignite curiosity, connection, and positive change.

Prior to joining Health+ Studio, Kathleen spent over 10 years working in publishing and communications in a variety of roles, including editorial development, book production, product design, and account management. She has honed her creative instincts across a wide array of subject areas, including academic texts, professional development tools, Japanese comics, programming manuals, cookbooks, picture books, and specialty gifting (including everything from puzzles to dog bandanas!). She is particularly inspired by inclusive storytelling in children’s literature that creates more windows and mirrors for young readers to see themselves and imagine new possibilities.

Born and raised in the Bay Area (including unceded ancestral homeland of Ramaytush, Miwok, Tamien, Awaswas, Mutsun, and Chochenyo Ohlone), Kathleen is a lifelong fan of the Golden State and for the past decade has called Oakland her home. She holds a dual BA in English and Rhetoric from UC Berkeley (where she also nearly minored in Folklore!). In her spare time, you can find her digging in the garden, volunteering at local concerts and literary events, hiking and biking, and exploring California’s many natural wonders.

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