Dr. Carol Sakala

Biography

Carol Sakala is an experienced maternity care advocate, educator, researcher, author, and policy analyst with a continuous focus on meeting the needs and interests of childbearing women and families. Her work aims to improve the quality, outcomes, and value of maternity care, amplify the voices of mothers, advance evidence-based maternity care, and facilitate decision-making processes. Carol has served on numerous advisory bodies, including the National Quality Forum and the Breastfeeding Committee, and has created widely-used resources that enhance maternity care practice and policy. As a co-investigator of national surveys aimed at capturing the experiences of mothers and as a lead author of influential reports and columns, she has contributed significantly to the field. Currently, she works as a Senior Director at the National Partnership for Women & Families, where she addresses health equity and advocates for marginalized communities. Carol’s accolades include the 2021 Coalition Excellence MCH Epidemiology Award and recognition from the National Women’s Health Network for her activism.

Research Interests