Ayesha R. Clarke, MSW, MPH is a dynamic public health leader, advocate, and equity strategist committed to dismantling structural racism and advancing justice for historically marginalized communities. With a deep-rooted passion for equity and systems change, Ayesha currently serves as the Executive Director of Health Equity Solutions (HES), where she leads statewide efforts to ensure that all Connecticut residents can achieve optimal health regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Under her leadership, HES continues to drive forward equity-centered policies, engage diverse coalitions, and champion community-driven advocacy.
Ayesha brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of public health, education, and policy. Her leadership is grounded in both lived experience and a strong academic foundation, including her pursuit of a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree, where she focuses on the social and behavioral impacts of inequities in Black and Brown communities. Ayesha holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a policy practice concentration from the University of Connecticut, a Master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in healthcare institutions from Benedictine University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a business concentration from UConn. This combination equips her with a keen understanding of how economic, social, and health systems intersect—and how to strategically navigate them to create lasting impact.
Ayesha’s career spans public office, nonprofit leadership, and political organizing. She served as Chairperson of the Hartford Board of Education from 2017 to 2021, where she fought for equitable budgeting, policy reform, and youth-centered change. She is also the Co-Chair of the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health for the State of Connecticut.
Beyond her policy work, Ayesha is deeply committed to civic leadership and mentorship. She is a member of The Citadel of Love, the Greater Hartford Branch of the NAACP, and the Hartford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also serves as Board Chairperson for The Children’s Museum and sits on the Executive Board of Community Health Resources (CHR). As an adjunct professor and advisor at the UConn School of Social Work, she helps shape the next generation of change agents.
A devoted wife of 16 years and mother of two teenagers, Ayesha finds joy in dancing, traveling, watching movies, and cherishing time with her family and friends.
