From Data to Impact: Ali Taliaferro’s Public Health Internship at Rescue Agency

Rescue Agency is a mission-driven marketing firm that uses behavior change strategies to tackle public health challenges at scale. Whether through digital campaigns to prevent teen vaping or educational initiatives on mental health and nutrition, Rescue works with governments and nonprofits to create healthier communities—and they do it through storytelling rooted in data, culture, and compassion.

This semester, Ali Taliaferro, a sophomore Communications major at the University of San Diego with minors in Environmental Studies and Changemaking, joined Rescue Agency through the Social Innovation Internship. With a passion for impact and a gift for forging meaningful relationships, Ali worked under the guidance of Director of Marketing and Education Kelly Mantick to help develop Rescue’s 2024 Impact Report. From analyzing more than 175 campaigns to shaping a compelling narrative about Rescue’s nationwide influence, Ali’s work helped spotlight the measurable change Rescue creates through marketing for good.

Ali's contribution exemplifies the purpose of our Social Innovation Internship: to provide students with meaningful, mission-aligned opportunities to apply their talents in real-world professional settings. Led by USD’s Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center—and organized in partnership with Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—the Social Innovation Internship connects students to professional networks and impactful projects that align with our strategic vision to cultivate innovation in service to humanity.

Motivation & Mission

Ali, what inspired you to apply for the Social Innovation Internship, and how does it support your aspirations?
Growing up, I was always involved in community service and volunteering, which sparked my passion for helping others. I’ve always known I want to make a difference in people’s lives. When I learned about the Social Innovation Internship and saw that every participating business was focused on doing good in the world, I knew it was a perfect fit. This opportunity not only supports my professional goals—by allowing me to work for a behavior change agency—but also lets me explore different areas of the creative industry. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a program that aligns with my values and encourages growth in such a meaningful way.

Kelly, what motivated Rescue Agency to participate in the Social Innovation Internship?
We believe that business can—and should—be a force for good. Our mission is to make healthy behaviors easier and more appealing, and that work is driven by passionate people who care deeply about community health. We partnered with the Social Innovation Internship because we want to help develop the next generation of changemakers—professionals who are excited to use their talents to drive social impact in creative and culturally relevant ways.

Inside the Internship

Ali, what does a typical week look like at Rescue Agency? What have been your main responsibilities?
Each week starts with a Zoom check-in with my supervisor, Kelly Mantick. We go over what I’ve been working on, get feedback, and talk about priorities for the week ahead. I spend time reviewing emails and internal communications before diving into my main project: building Rescue’s 2024 Impact Report. That includes analyzing data from more than 175 public health campaigns, identifying key results and themes, and helping translate that information into visuals and messaging. Now that the research phase is wrapping up, I’m starting to shape the content and collaborate with a designer to bring the report to life. It’s been a great mix of research, writing, and project management.

Kelly, how has Ali contributed to Rescue’s development of the 2024 Impact Report?
Ali has been amazing. She jumped right in and quickly grasped both the scale and goals of the report. With fresh eyes and a thoughtful approach, she helped us take a 10,000-foot view of our work across the country. From social listening reports to campaign data to evaluation results, she sifted through a mountain of information to highlight the most important outcomes. Her insights have been instrumental in shaping how we tell our impact story.

Ali, what did you learn about measuring and communicating social impact?
I learned that behavior change marketing can be a powerful tool for public health. Rescue is working on some of the biggest health issues of our time—like teen vaping, fentanyl prevention, mental health, and nutrition—and they’re doing it through messaging that resonates. I never realized advertising and marketing could play such a central role in making communities healthier. I saw the impact not just in the numbers, but in the quotes, studies, and stories behind the data. It made me realize how much good a company can do when its values are at the center of its work.

Kelly, how do young professionals contribute to behavioral health marketing?
They’re absolutely essential. Behavior change marketing has to evolve constantly—it’s shaped by cultural shifts, trends, and technology. Young professionals bring the curiosity, insight, and lived experience that helps us connect with today’s audiences. They also ask the kinds of questions those of us more immersed in the work might overlook. When we’re trying to reach young people, it only makes sense to include young professionals in the design and execution of those efforts.

Challenges, Growth, and Insight

Ali, what was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you navigate it?
One of the biggest challenges was working remotely. I really value in-person connection, and it’s harder to build relationships over Zoom. That said, I made the most of every communication channel Rescue uses, and I pushed myself to ask questions and reach out whenever I needed help. I was also fortunate to meet Kelly in person during the Agents of Change Summit, which helped us build a stronger connection. With her support and guidance, I was able to stay engaged and keep growing—even from a distance.

Kelly, what surprised you most about working with Ali?
I was so impressed by how quickly Ali immersed herself in the work. She asked smart, strategic questions right away and had a clear grasp of what we were trying to achieve. I sent her a lot of different materials—media reports, analytics, social listening data—and she was able to cut through the noise and identify what mattered most. Her ability to translate data into a compelling story has been incredibly helpful.

Looking Ahead

Ali, how has this experience shaped your career goals?
This internship has shown me that companies really can make a difference in the world—and I want to be part of that. I now know I want to work at a company like Rescue in the future. I’m also realizing how important it is to work somewhere that aligns with my values. I want to keep being a changemaker, and I hope to work at a B Corporation that’s doing meaningful, measurable good. This experience has given me hope and excitement for what lies ahead.

Kelly, how do partnerships like this one help prepare students for careers in public health and social impact communications?
They’re essential. A lot of graduates understand the theory behind marketing, but haven’t had the chance to apply those ideas in the real world. This kind of partnership gives students practical, hands-on experience—and it gives us the chance to learn from their perspectives as well. These collaborations help bridge the gap between education and application, and that’s where transformation really happens.

Ali, what advice would you give to future Social Innovation interns?
Be curious, ask questions, and never stop learning. The world of public health is constantly changing—new issues emerge, platforms shift, and communication styles evolve. If you want to make a difference, you have to stay flexible and open to new ideas. As one example, teen vaping wasn’t on the radar a decade ago. But now it’s a major health issue, and agencies like Rescue had to pivot fast to respond. Being ready for change—and willing to grow with it—is what makes this work so exciting.

Insert photo of Ali Taliaferro at Rescue Agency here
Caption: “Ali Taliaferro, USD intern at Rescue Agency”

Looking Forward

At the University of San Diego, we know that cultivating innovation to serve humanity means giving students the opportunity to apply their creativity, intellect, and compassion to the challenges that matter most. Rescue Agency is doing exactly that—using the tools of marketing and design to advance public health, shift behaviors, and save lives.

Ali’s work on the 2024 Impact Report is a perfect example of what happens when students are given real responsibility and trusted to lead. She didn’t just analyze data—she helped shape the story of how Rescue is changing lives across the country. This kind of experience builds confidence, deepens purpose, and helps students like Ali imagine what’s possible when their values and professional aspirations align.

Written by Andrew Biros, EdD

Senior Director, Center for Social Innovation
Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost
University of San Diego

Acknowledgments

This article is part of the University of San Diego’s Social Innovation Internship, a campus-wide, interdisciplinary program led by the Center for Social Innovation and the Career Development Center. The program is organized in partnership with Conscious Capitalism San Diego and generously supported through a grant from the Prebys Foundation.