Introducing Ann-Marie Yongho
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
This proverb was shared with us by Ann-Marie, our new Public Health Division Director for Community Health and Prevention. As she steps into her role, Ann-Marie emphasizes the importance of partnership, trust, and community in addressing today’s complex public health challenges.
Ann-Marie brings 20 years of public health experience, with a strong background in global health. She has worked across West, Central, and Southern Africa, initially focusing on reproductive health (helping women access contraceptives when and where they need them) and HIV prevention in marginalized communities. While her career has been far from Marin, she is excited to translate her international experience into local solutions. Her values and goals align closely with those of the county, making this transition a natural fit.
As she learns more about Marin’s needs, Ann-Marie is committed to supporting the team through change. Public health is rapidly evolving in our current landscape, and Marin County remains dedicated to being both accurate and responsible. She points to current challenges such as the potential loss of health insurance and food assistance for residents, increased youth access to tobacco and nicotine products through vapes and flavored products, and the rise of fentanyl in other substances. Even amid these pressures, Ann-Marie is determined that residents continue to experience public health as a steady, trusted source of support.
Overdose prevention is particularly close to Ann-Marie’s heart – not only as a public health leader, but also as a parent of children about to enter middle school. She stresses the importance of equipping both youth and adults with harm reduction tools such as naloxone and fentanyl testing strips. While these tools don’t eliminate risk entirely, they provide vital resources to help keep our community safe. Looking ahead, she hopes to reduce stigma by normalizing support, creating safe pathways to care, and encouraging open, compassionate conversations about substance use.
Though she has only recently joined Marin County, Ann-Marie has already been struck by the county’s strong sense of engagement. The community’s commitment to intentionality has impressed her, and she’s honored to build programs alongside those we serve. Ann-Marie invites the community as well to engage with organizations such as OD Free Marin. “If you feel a calling, you don’t need to have the answers. It’s just about trying your best.” With community-centered solutions at mind, we have no doubt that Marin will flourish under Ann-Marie’s leadership and guidance.
