Adaptive Leadership for Public Health

This two-part series shares highlights from a recent webinar on the power of mentoring students and hosting interns in public health settings. The conversations explore how intentional mentorship strengthens the workforce, supports organizational capacity, and creates meaningful pathways for future public health professionals. You’ll hear from Janie Cambron, the inaugural Director of Land Grant Engagement at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, whose career spans more than 20 years across local, state, and academic public health. With deep experience in workforce development, accreditation, and experiential learning, she brings a rich perspective on how hosting students shapes both organizations and the next generation of leaders. Joining her is Nicole Barber-Culp, the College’s Experiential Education Director, who has worked for over two decades with diverse communities in areas such as Maternal and Child Health, Mental Health, and Health Systems. Her background in partnership development, strategic planning, and workforce training—and her commitment to health equity—ground her insights on building meaningful student experiences. Featuring audio from a prerecorded webinar, this series offers practical guidance, real-world examples, and inspiration for anyone involved in public health workforce development—whether you’re already hosting students or considering it for the first time. ⁠Region IV Public Health Training Center Pathways to Practice Scholars Program⁠Host: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In the final episode of the series, we discuss how to sustain long-term growth and resilience in the face of continuous change. We explore how successful navigation of past changes can strengthen team dynamics and foster a culture of resilience. This episode offers leaders a roadmap for cultivating trust, maintaining adaptability, and setting their teams up for future challenges with confidence and connection.Host: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we explore why our nervous systems are so averse to ambiguity and how leaders can use this understanding to help teams thrive in uncertain times. You’ll learn practical tools, to help guide your team through transition and maintain connection and trust in the midst of change. Host: Sophia Lamb MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode highlights the common mistakes leaders oftenmake during change management. Lacy Alana helps us explore how these strategies can backfire by overlooking the nervous system’s role in behavior and fear responses. You’ll learn how to address resistance with compassion, reframe it as an opportunity for growth, and build trust with your team through psychological safety and co-regulation techniques.Host: Sophia Lamb MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In the final episode of our Data-Driven Leadership series, we focus on contextualizing and disseminating evaluation results. Communicating findings effectively is critical—especially in politically sensitive environments or when addressing systemic challenges. Join us as Cassandra Frazier, Senior Evaluator at the CDC, shares expertise on engaging communities in the interpretation and communication of data. This episode explores how we can ensure findings are presented constructively, using clear, accessible communication strategies that mitigate bias and unintended harm. Tune in for valuable insights on making data actionable and impactful! Host: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Resources related to/mentioned in the episode:Centre for Public Impact, Storytelling for Systems ChangeUrban Institute Measure4Change PlaybookNational Cancer Institute Making Data Talk WorkbookUrban Institute Data WalksShare your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Download Transcript

Quantitative data can tell us what is happening, but qualitative methods help us understand why. In this episode, we explore how participatory multi-media approaches, Indigenous-centered methodologies like Story Work & Visitas, and process evaluation can enhance public health initiatives.This episode features Meher Singh, founder and principal of MK Singh Consulting, and Christina Ore, Associate Director for Indigenous Systems Alignment and Data Stewardship at 7 Directions and Research Assistant Professor at the UW School of Medicine. They share how qualitative methods can capture lived experiences, elevate community voices, and strengthen program evaluations.This session, facilitated by Kady Pecorella from the Institute for Public Health Innovation, explores how qualitative methods can bring evaluation findings to life and ensure equitable, community-driven insights.Host: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠⁠⁠Resources related to/mentioned in the episode:We All CountCrenshaw, K.W. (1991). Race, gender, and sexual harassment. Southern California Law Review, 65: 1467-1476. Collins, P.H., (2000). Black feminist thought: knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment.Acker, J. (2005). Class questions: feminist answers.TDR Implementation Research ToolkitAnthias F (2013). Intersectional what? Social divisions, intersectionality and levels of analysis. Ethnicities, 13(1), 3–19.Sprague, J (2005). Feminist Methodologies for Critical Researchers. New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc.Hewitt, B., Baxter, J., and Western, M. 2006. Family, work and health: the impact of marriage, parenthood and employment on self-reported health of Australian men and women. Journal of Sociology, 42(1): 61-78. Analyzing Intersectionality-3 main effects and interactionsShare your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Download Transcript

Before you can measure progress, you need to understand where you're starting. In this episode, we explore the importance of baseline assessments in evaluating public health interventions. We hear from Dr. Jan K. Fields and Dr. Jen Gathings, break down key concepts, including baseline assessment terminology, primary vs. secondary data, and how these assessments help determine both the scope of a problem and the context of the community where an intervention takes place. They also discuss how baseline data can shape evaluation efforts and reveal external factors that may impact intervention success. Tune in to learn how to leverage baseline assessments for stronger, data-driven decision-making! Host: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, ⁠⁠Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠⁠Resources related to/mentioned in the episode:Advantages and Disadvantage of Primary Data and Secondary DataWicked Problems in Health Equity Introduction to Public Health SurveillanceMichigan Overdose Data to Action (MODA) DashboardAddiction Policy Forum SUD Journey MapCDC Program Evaluation Framework, 2024Michigan Substance Use Vulnerability Index DocumentationRacial Equity Lens Logic Model & Theory of ChangeQualtrics Community PulseDownload TranscriptShare your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In our first episode of our Data-Driven Leadership series, we focus on a foundational yet often overlooked aspect of public health—integrating fairness into evaluation. Join us as Kay Schaffer, Senior Research Associate at the De Beaumont Foundation, unpacks five critical questions to enhance the integrity and impact of the evaluation process. This session was facilitated by Kady Pecorella from Institute for Public Health Innovation. Whether you're designing, implementing, or refining evaluations, this episode will provide valuable insights to ensure fairness is at the core of your approach. Host: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠Resources related to/mentioned in the episode:Coalition of Communities of Color, Data Justice DefinitionCulturally Responsive Evaluation DefinitionCulturally Responsive Evaluation FrameworkEquitable Evaluation FrameworkVenkateswaran, N, et al. Bringing an Equity-Centered Framework to Research: Transforming the Researcher, Research Content, and Practice of ResearchCDC Programmatic Evaluation FrameworkFraming Toolkits and Additional ResourcesLead with the Idea of DignityDownload TranscriptShare your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode is Part 1 of a discussion with Emily Saunders, Public Service faculty member at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia. With expertise in women’s leadership development, organizational growth, creativity, and innovation, Emily shares her leadership journey and her experiences working in leadership development. During the episode, we dive into the importance of understanding your personal strengths and how this awareness can transform your effectiveness as a leader. Resources mentioned in episode:Emergenetics Assessment Real Colors AssessmentMyers-Briggs Type Indicator FourSight (Creative Problem Solving) AssessmentHogan AssessmentsDiSC CliftonStrengths (was StrengthsFinder)Free Personality Test - 16 PersonalitiesAn everyone Culture by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey: Animated Summary Dare to Lead PodcastWork Life PodcastReThinking PodcastHost: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, Region IV Public Health Training Center⁠Download TranscriptShare your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we speak with Nellie Garlow, MPH, HIV Surveillance Epidemiologist at the Georgia Department of Public Health, about early career development. Tune in for some tips on getting started in a public health career. Resources mentioned in episode: Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s What the Eyes Don’t See by Mona Hanna-Attisha Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans Region IV PHTC Leadership Institute Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Host: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, Region IV Public Health Training Center Download Transcript⁠ Share your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠⁠brief evaluation⁠⁠.

In our first episode of our Leadership Journey series, we are joined by Moose Alperin EdD, MPH, MCHES, PI and Director of the Region IV Public Health Training Center. She talks with us about the building blocks of a career in public health and shares insight she has learned throughout her career. Host: Liz Kidwell MPH, CHES- Training Specialist, Region IV Public Health Training Center Share your thoughts on this episode by taking our brief evaluation. Download Transcript

This is episode 5 of the Adaptive Leadership for Public Health series. In this episode, we'll discuss collaborative leadership - an aspect of adaptive leadership - and its importance in building an environment of trust, mutual respect, and shared aspiration needed to address complex challenges.Host: Brandy Walker, Senior Public Service Associate at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, University of GeorgiaDownload TranscriptShare your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠brief evaluation.

This is episode 3 of the Adaptive Leadership for Public Health series. In this episode, we’ll discuss the adaptive leader’s commitment to cultural competency and touch on 4 areas of cultural competency, namely some broad tenants of cultural competency, aspects of a diversity model, an inclusion scale, and key traits of an inclusive leader.Host: Brandy Walker, Senior Public Service Associate at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, University of GeorgiaDownload TranscriptShare your thoughts on this episode by taking our ⁠brief evaluation.