McClain Bryant Macklin, JD, MBA, currently serves as Chief Policy and Impact Officer at Health Forward Foundation, a regional foundation focused on access to healthcare, the social determinants of health, and health equity with assets just under $1 billion. I n this role, McClain leads Health Forward’s funding, technical assistance, and external learning opportunities in its six-county service area; and policy and advocacy work on the local, state, and national levels.
Bryant Macklin joined Health Forward in 2020 as the Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, leading the organization’s policy and advocacy work and strategic relationships in Health Forward’s service area and nationally. She has also served as the Director of Policy and Research for the Greater Kansas City Civic Council, leading initiatives for business leaders to support equity and inclusion in the Kansas City region, including Kansas City’s participation in the Brookings Institute, Kresge Foundation, Living Cities and Urban Initiative led Inclusive Prosperity Partnership, as well as leading the Civic Council advocacy and public policy efforts. McClain also served as the Director of Policy for Mayor Sly James of Kansas City, Missouri. In that role, McClain led the Mayor’s policy work on a variety of policy issues, including economic development, housing, health, transportation, technology, innovation, workforce development and entrepreneurship, and worked with city staff and community organizations and national organizations like the United States Conference of Mayors and African American Mayors’ Association to advance the policy interests of the Mayor.
McClain also practiced law at Husch Blackwell LLP, where she specialized in Public Policy, Campaign Finance and Ethics, White Collar Litigation and Government Affairs, and Government Affairs. In her practice, McClain counseled clients from local politicians to Fortune 500 companies on navigating the political, legislative and regulatory process. She assisted clients with forming and managing 527 political committees and 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, and advised corporate clients on their political activity post-Citizens United.