Nicole Thomas

Nicole A. Thomas serves as the director of the Penn Medicine Center for Health Justice. She is a co-founder and co-directs the Penn Community Scholars Program, which builds the capacity of community members to partner with academics and to develop and deliver a compelling pitch to funders, and the REACH (Research and Engagement in Community Academic Partnerships for Health) Initiative, which helps build connections and strengthen partnerships between academics and community members.  

Nicole is a dynamic strategist, trainer, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience spanning higher education, financial services, business management, and workforce development. She specializes in community-academic partnerships, strategic planning, organizational development, culture building, and high-impact communications.  

In 2011, she founded and continues to lead a Philadelphia-based consulting firm dedicated to providing customized training, technical assistance, and strategic solutions to enhance the sustainability and impact of academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses. 

Nicole holds a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Business Administration from Temple University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kutztown University.