Kate Mahone
Public Health Officer, Cumberland Council
With over two decades of dedicated service in public health, Kate has become an advocate for children and families, shaping healthier futures across communities. Her journey began in 2002 as an Oral Health Improvement Specialist, where she laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to preventive care and population-level change.
In 2004, she earned her MSc in Public Health. She soon transitioned her focus to children’s public health, taking on population-wide strategies that champion early intervention and health equity.
Throughout her career, Kate has served as a local authority lead for breastfeeding, childhood healthy weight, and oral health, along with many other areas of Public Health—tackling disparities head-on with compassion and evidence-based strategies. Her work has consistently centred around creating environments where all children and young people can thrive.
A passionate advocate for food security, she pioneered the implementation of automatic enrolment for free school meals. This initiative not only ensured every eligible child in need receives a hot, nutritious lunch, but also supported families financially and unlocked greater Pupil Premium funding for schools.
Driven by a deep belief in equity and access, Kate continues to be a catalyst for meaningful change in public health policy and practice. Her dedication, compassionate leadership, and a clear vision: no child should be left behind when it comes to their health and wellbeing, is intrinsically linked with the principles of the WELL project.