About Kindling Collaborative

Public health organizations are constantly adapting—to changing priorities, funding, workforce realities, emerging needs, and new opportunities. Navigating that change requires more than a good plan. It takes clear thinking, strong partnerships, and practical strategies that can move from ideas to action.

Kindling Collaborative helps public health agencies and mission-driven organizations tackle complex challenges, strengthen programs and systems, and determine what comes next.

Led by Dr. Sarah Merkle, a former CDC leader with more than 25 years of public health experience, Kindling Collaborative brings senior-level expertise in strategy, policy, program transformation, facilitation, and implementation—with an approach that is collaborative, practical, and grounded in the realities of public health.