Crystal L. Brandow, PhD
I've been working in the behavioral health space for 20 years. In this time, I've learned how to create lasting structures, the significance of a right-sized guiding framework, and what it takes to translate research to practice, and practice to policy.
Through clb strategies, LLC, I work as an independent research and strategy architect — helping organizations design, build, and sustain their most important work. I take on complex, ambiguous projects that organizations often lack the internal capacity for, or that benefit from a fresh perspective.
An equity orientation and well-being perspective are essential to my work. I strive for authenticity while co-creating cultures, systems, and processes designed to last far beyond my engagement with clients — many of whom are committed to dismantling the status quo and improving people-serving systems.
My work often involves behavioral health programs and projects and sometimes includes broader business development support across a variety of fields. I've collaborated with private businesses, colleges and universities, philanthropic entities, and community nonprofits to identify and fill gaps in their workstreams, scale initiatives, and provide much-needed thought partnership to grapple with big problems requiring creative solutions.
I've built national programs from the ground up. I've supported the scaling of research initiatives. I've helped local entrepreneurs build capacity. I've worked with clients on short-term projects, and have been hand-in-hand with clients for years. The work varies because needs vary. What is consistent is my adherence to my core values: integrity, transparency, clarity, and innovation.
For the curious.
Memorable Career Mentors: Cathy Cave, Terri Hay, Holly Salazar, Margaret (Peggy) Swarbrick
Influential Public Health Leaders: Jay Bernhardt, Michael T. Compton, Sandro Galea, Anthony Iton, Ruth Shim, Kasisomayajula Viswanath
Illuminating Concept: Arline T. Geronimus' Weathering Hypothesis (1992)
Rainy Day Movie: The Book of Eli
Favorite Book to Reread: The Tao of Pooh
Artist on Repeat: _by.ALEXANDER
not everyone or everything.
a sample.
AI can generate.
This work requires discernment.
That's why I can do
what an agent can't.
In a time when anyone can use a software of their choice and generate a framework or develop a project timeline, the value is knowing that the work provided by clb strategies is not only based on decades of experience, but comes with the discernment of a PhD, an innovator in the field, and a human being who cares deeply about your success. The judgment calls I make come from years of experience with local, state, and federal systems; from working with people and across silos; from being present in communities and connecting with people — not from a prompt.
AI is built off of an internet filled with misinformation. It can generate fake bibliographies of publications that don't exist, miscalculate the days in a month for a project timeline, pull the wrong due date from an RFP — and simply apologize for those errors, despite the costs to you.
clb strategies is built off of years of real-life experience. I do the work to fact-check and cite original, reliable sources. I design solutions specific to client needs. And, I stand behind my work, with confidence. Whether the work is completed for a national client or a local entrepreneur, I'm offering my experience, attention, and care — my humanity.