SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) - Healthy Savannah has announced the appointment of its new executive director.
Armand Turner will be taking over for Paula Kreissler. Kreissler has been serving the organization for the past 17 years.
“It has been a privilege to serve alongside Armand in helping create a healthier and more equitable Savannah,” said Kreissler. “I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I know that Healthy Savannah will continue to thrive under his leadership. His forward-thinking vision will guide this organization into the next chapter of its impact on the region.”
Turner joined Healthy Savannah in 2019 as its first Physical Activity program manager. He was most recently appointed as deputy director of Healthy Savannah.
“As the new executive director, I plan to continue to build on Healthy Savannah’s mission of improving the health and wellness of all Savannah residents through policy advocacy, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement,” said Turner.
Turner graduated from Indiana University in 2014. He has worked with various parks & recreation departments in Denver and Dallas. He was also Recreation and Intramural Sports coordinator at Albany State University in Ga. Turner then came to Savannah as a member of Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia as part of the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) team.
Turner has played a pivotal role in Healthy Savannah’s physical activity strategy and has assisted in the organization’s growth and positive impact on the community. His contributions helped Healthy Savannah leverage a 2018 $3.4 million REACH grant awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and secure a second grant in 2023 for $5.1 million.
“Everyone deserves access to a healthier life, and we will only achieve that through collaboration and understanding the barriers people face,” said Turner. “I am honored to take on this new role and continue building on the strong foundation laid by my predecessor and mentor, Paula Kreissler.”
“His leadership has been instrumental in promoting the health of children and adults alike, working closely with schools, businesses, and local organizations to ensure that health equity remains a priority in Savannah,” said Kreissler.
Turner recently earned a master’s degree in business administration from Savannah State University, graduating in December 2024.