Dorothy Clemons Erby

Dorothy Clemons Erby joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in 2023 in the office of the executive vice president. She supports the executive leadership’s cross-Foundation work in program, policy, communications, and research, evaluation, and learning activities. Drawn to the Foundation’s focus on health and wellbeing, Dorothy relishes the opportunity to help RWJF’s leadership pave the way to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.

Previously, Dorothy served as a certified health and wellness coach with The Alchemy Garden in Baltimore, assisting clients in developing individualized plans to achieve their health goals. Earlier, she held the positions of senior program manager and research program coordinator at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her work supported the school’s work in educating a diverse group of research scientists and public health professionals to help improve health and prevent disease and disability worldwide. Her focus areas included social determinants of health, asthma and obesity, indoor and outdoor air quality, and the impact of air pollution on health and academic performance.

Dorothy holds a master’s in public health from the University of New England, and a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from the University of South Carolina. Her professional background is at the nexus of public health and development, wellbeing, and health equity.

Dorothy credits her mother’s pursuit of a master’s degree in psychology and public administration and her current philanthropic work in Gambia, Africa, for instilling in her a deep interest in mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health.

Born in Berkeley, California, and raised in South Carolina, Dorothy now lives with her daughter in Columbia, Maryland. In her spare time she enjoys painting and collaging, hiking, yoga, cooking, and live music.