About

Andrea Rahkola, ELS, is the Public Education Manager for Brain Health at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). At the end of 2025, the academy’s public-facing Brain & Life magazine transitioned to an online only publication model and its management was brought entirely in house. Andrea now oversees the academy’s public education portfolio, strategically developing content, liaising with the editorial board and freelancers, and collaborating across academy departments to support brain health for all.

Andrea joined the AAN in 2013 and worked on the Neurology® journals for 12 years, acquiring professional experience in scholarly medical-research publishing (editorial and production). She led an in-house production team for 5 years and maintained relationships with several vendors.

Andrea has a keen attention to detail and an eye for design. She is recognized for her ability to learn quickly, troubleshoot successfully, and produce reliable results. Andrea is also seen as an empathetic leader who is skilled at modifying her leadership style to meet the needs of employees.

Andrea is driven to help achieve effective scientific communication, increase health literacy, empower people to lead healthier lives through evidence-based communication strategies. She is committed to growing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in scholarly publishing, medical research, and public health.

In May 2026, Andrea will graduate with a Master of Public Health degree in public health administration and policy from the University of Minnesota. She has already begun applying her acquired knowledge to her role as Public Education Manager at the AAN, including the central role of equity in public health, health behavior models, and risk communications.

Andrea is particularly interested in health policy and advocacy, health communications, and management.