Da Vonna L. Rucker, M.A.
About Da Vonna L. Rucker, M.A.
Da Vonna L. Rucker, M.A., serves as the Director of the Office of African American Health at the Minnesota Department of Health. With a background in psychology and leadership, she focuses on transformative leadership and advocates for wellness and equity in human services.
Work at Minnesota Department of Health
Da Vonna L. Rucker serves as the Director of the Office of African American Health at the Minnesota Department of Health. She has held this position since 2024, focusing on advancing health equity and wellness within African American communities. Her role involves implementing strategies that promote health and well-being, aligning with her belief that wellness leads to positive outcomes for supported demographics.
Previous Experience in Health and Wellness
Prior to her current role, Rucker worked at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center as a Case Manager from 2019 to 2022. She also served as a Family Achievement Coach at Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) from 2018 to 2019. Additionally, she was the RAP Program Manager at YWCA Minneapolis from 2022 to 2024. Her diverse experience in health and wellness emphasizes her commitment to improving community health outcomes.
Education and Expertise
Rucker holds a Master of Arts in Psychology in Leadership from Adler Graduate School, which she completed from 2020 to 2021. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Human Services in Leadership and Organizational Management at Capella University, which she began in 2022. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences from Concordia University-St. Paul from 2015 to 2019. Her educational background supports her focus on transformative leadership through empathy and emotional intelligence.
Background in Education and Community Services
Rucker has a significant background in education and community services. She worked as the Achievement & Integration Department Coordinator for Robbinsdale Area Schools from 2014 to 2018. Her roles have consistently involved advocating for equity and breaking unhealthy generational cycles to promote wellness at both individual and community levels.
Advocacy for Health and Wellness
Rucker advocates for breaking unhealthy generational cycles to achieve wellness. She emphasizes the importance of bringing humanness back to human services, aiming to advance equity in health and wellness initiatives. Her work reflects a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and communities through supportive and empathetic leadership.