Kally Xu (she/her/hers) is a Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy Analyst, focusing on reproductive health, rights, and justice initiatives in the U.S. South. Kally grew up in Mississippi, and is especially passionate about expanding health care access in the Deep South. She is also passionate about improving health outcomes for underserved communities.

Kally was a John B. Ervin Scholar and Civics Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), where she graduated with honors. She then completed her Master of Public Health degree at the Brown School at WashU, where she specialized in Health Policy and Analysis. In addition, she served as a Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Hotline (SARAH) peer counselor, a Sex Education Peer Health Counselor, as well as conducted COVID-19 research at the Health Communication Research Laboratory.

Before joining NHeLP Kally was the Medical Legal Advocate at the First Shift Justice Project, working with medical providers to bridge the gap between the health and law and to advocate for workers’ rights in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. At First Shift, she was engaged with policies such as the Family Medical Leave Act and D.C. Paid Family Leave benefits program.

In her free time, Kally enjoys hiking, playing the violin, traveling, and spending quality time with friends, family, and beloved cat named Sir Blanchington.