Gray Abarca

About Gray Abarca

I am a bilingual public health professional with more than a decade of experience advancing health equity through research, communications, and community partnerships. My career began in community health, where I collaborated with promotoras de salud and nonprofit leaders to understand and address the everyday realities shaping health. As a researcher, I’ve led large-scale qualitative and mixed-methods projects, from ethnographic fieldwork to program evaluations, always with the goal of making data meaningful and actionable. In behavior change marketing, I have led health communication strategies that centered cultural relevance, audience insight, and equity.Today, I bring that same commitment to building authentic, trust-based partnerships that help organizations align strategy with community needs. I thrive at the intersection of research, communications, and collaboration, bridging evidence and lived experience to drive lasting change.

Experience

1. Community Partnerships Manager

   Zócalo Health

   Nov 2025 — Present · Sacramento, CA, US

   I partner with community-based organizations, clinics, hospitals, and housing providers across Northern California to connect Medi-Cal members with Zócalo Health’s services. I work at the intersection of community, healthcare, and housing to improve access, coordination, and trust in care.

Education

• UC Irvine

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Social Anthropology

  2013

• University of California, Berkeley

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Double Major: Anthropology and Philosophy

  2010 — 2013