Kindling Collaborative is a mission-driven public health strategy and transformation practice founded by Dr. Sarah Merkle, a nationally recognized public health leader, strategist, and former CDC policy leader. With more than 30 years of experience across federal agencies, schools, nonprofits, and emergency response teams, Dr. Merkle brings both clarity and compassion to complex challenges.
Public health doesn’t stand still—and neither do the challenges facing the organizations that protect it. Shifts in funding, staffing, and priorities can disrupt even the strongest programs. That’s why I created Kindling Collaborative. Just as kindling sparks a fire, I work with public health departments, NGOs, and government agencies to ignite new ideas and develop strategies and solutions when change demands it.
I believe in the power of collaborative systems change. Whether navigating a crisis, reimagining chronic disease prevention, or designing forward-looking policy, I help organizations work smarter, lead with compassion, and scale impact sustainably.