Anica is a collaborative change leader with expertise in higher education, community health, and non-profit management. Anica is particularly skilled at bridging high-level strategic planning with the realities of implementation to ensure that great ideas result in successful execution. She is passionate about helping people, teams, and organizations positively impact society.

Anica has over a decade of experience at the University of Michigan (U-M) with an emphasis on educational innovation, strategic initiatives, and university-community partnerships. Most recently, she led the operational launch of the Michigan Center for Interprofessional Education, a 5-year $6 million collaboration involving ten health science schools. Through that effort, Anica skillfully managed the competing demands of a start-up venture by providing change leadership and strategic advising, while developing clear and efficient structures and processes. She also taught university courses and helped develop a large-scale team decision-making course (for which she and her colleagues won the Provost’s Teaching Innovation Prize).

Earlier in her career, Anica served as regional program director for a national non-profit. She provided capacity-building services to federally qualified health centers, including consultations and on-site trainings for project planning, grant writing, curriculum development, and program evaluation. Anica has authored and co-authored successful grant proposals, funded up to $3 million by university, community, and federal funders. She also has international health experience in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

Anica embraces the Bridgeport philosophy of being a "proud generalist." Her robust experience has allowed her to hone her natural ability to identify connections and bring clarity to complex situations. She is a passionate learner who loves collaborative problem solving and believes wholeheartedly in building on the existing strengths of the people and organizations she serves.

Education

Anica holds MPH and MSW degrees from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and School of Social Work.

Experience

Since joining Bridgeport in 2017, Anica has engaged a wide range of clients, including: Ann Arbor District Library, Chelsea District Library, Great Lakes Water Authority, Michigan Radio, Gleaners Foodbank of Southeast Michigan, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, The Conservation Fund, Michigan Advocacy Program, a host of units at the University of Michigan, several local municipalities, and individual coaching clients from the academic, health, and non-profit sectors.