Public Health SPOTlight Podcast

Sujani is back at the mic after almost a year away — and in this episode, she's keeping it real. She shares what the past year actually looked like: a new role, a second baby, solo parenting stretches, sleep deprivation, and the hard decision to pause the podcast rather than do it poorly. She also reflects on why rest is not the same as giving up — and why she thinks you need to hear that too.Then, Sujani looks ahead. She introduces PH SPOT's 2026 theme — the Future-Ready Public Health Professional — and walks through the four quarterly themes shaping this year's content and programming: adapting to the future of work, becoming a digital public health professional, building a portfolio career, and sustaining long-term impact.Whether you've been here since the beginning or this is your very first episode, this is a great place to start.In this episode:Why Sujani stepped away — and what made her ready to come backA shoutout to the PH SPOT team who kept things goingA listener story that reminded the team why this work mattersPH SPOT's 2026 theme: The Future-Ready Public Health ProfessionalA breakdown of the four quarterly themes and what's plannedHow to join PH SPOT Plus (formerly the Public Health Career Club)🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter: phspot.org/signup🔗 Join PH SPOT Plus: phspot.org/club

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!Last week I talked about "Leadership Skills Every Public Health Professional Should Develop" and mentioned two episodes from 2020 where I sat down with two amazing guests to discuss leadership.This week, I wanted to make sure you had a chance to listen to one of these episodes - with Dr. Nadia Akseet.--------In this episode, Sujani speaks Dr. Nadia Akseer, an Epidemiologist-Biostatistician who has spent over 10 years leading research and analyses of clinical and population health datasets in the areas of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, as well as nutrition in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ethiopia and other low- and middle-income countries.In 2018, Nadia was identified as a Canadian Women Leader in Global Health, and in March 2019, she was awarded the 2019 Emerging Public Health Leader Alumni Award from the Public Health Alumni Association of the University of Toronto.We speak about the leadership drive Nadia possesses, when she decided she wanted to become a leader in her space, and whether you need to be in a management position to be a leader, amongst other topics. And of course, I couldn’t let her go without asking about her multiple meetings with Bill Gates, to present and collaborate on some of her work.You’ll LearnThe leadership drive, and what it isWhat leadership means to NadiaHow and when Nadia decided that she wanted to become a leader in this space she was passionate aboutWhether one needs to be in a management position to be a leader (hint: absolutely not)Natural born leaders versus people given the right opportunities to become a leaderHow Nadia goes about seeking new opportunities (as she is someone who thrives on being challenged and stimulated)A glimpse into the career path she took: from Biostatician at SickKids, to Global Health Research at SickKids, then to Harvard, and now at Gates VenturesHow her view of leadership has changed over timeVerbal Communication and its importance in good leadershipA leader Nadia looks up to: Dr. Zulfiqar ButtaReflections from her meetings with Bill Gates to present her research and work together on countries that have managed to reduce child stuntingSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!We're back with our monthly update on what's happening inside the Public Health Career Club - our membership community designed to support you in building your dream public health career. Whether you're looking for accountability partners, financial guidance, or mentorship opportunities, our May 2025 lineup has something to help you advance your career goals.Social Hour on May 6th - connect with peers in public health in a casual settingNew Co-working sessions on May 7th and 28th using the Pomodoro technique to help you focus on important tasks"Doing Good and Doing Well" workshop on May 15th with Dr. Darla Bishop exploring financial strategies for public health professionalsOffice hours with mentors Dr. Marissa Robinson (May 19th) and Megan Haffey (May 27th) for personalized career guidanceLive Resume Review Clinic on May 21st with Latika, offering real-time feedback on job applicationsFinal session of our "Launch Your Idea" workshop series, focusing on post-launch discussion and next stepsCheck out phspot.org/club to learn more about our light and premium membership tiers. Connect with us on LinkedIn or email hello@phspot.org with any questions about joining our community!Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!Networking isn't about schmoozing with random people or handing out business cards—it's about building genuine relationships rooted in curiosity, generosity, and mutual benefit that can transform your public health career journey.What we talk about in today's episode:Up to 80% of jobs are filled through networking connections rather than job boardsYour network already exists—start by auditing connections from school, past jobs, and online communitiesApproach informational interviews with genuine curiosity and specific questions after doing your researchBe active in online communities like LinkedIn groups or the Public Health Career ClubFollow up consistently and look for ways to provide value to your connectionsEveryone has something to offer regardless of career stage—fresh perspectives are always valuableNetworking doesn't require extroversion—one-on-one conversations and quiet consistency work just as wellThis week, take one small action: reach out to someone you admire with a genuine, specific question about their work and see where the connection leads. Join the Public Health Career Club at phspot.org/club for more support in building your public health career.Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!This is a new monthly series to provide you with updates on events happening inside the Public Health Career Club community:The Public Health Career Club has moved to an always-open enrollment model to provide support whenever public health professionals need it, with a new seven-day free trial available for both premium and light memberships.Here's what to expect in April:Four-part workshop series on "Launch Your Idea" for turning concepts into reality - Part 2 & 3 continues this month (April 1 & 12)New member orientation (April 3)Peer session on global mental health (April 5)Monthly social hour for networking and connection (April 17)Office hours with mentors specializing in job applications, industry transitions, and policy (April 23, 29, 30)Special presentation on the Consumer Drug Take Back program (April 24)Head over to phspot.org/club to learn more about the community and sign up for the seven-day free trial of either the premium or light membership.Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!The PH SPOT podcast returns after a ten-month unplanned break with host Sujani sharing personal updates and outlining future plans for the show. • Unexpected 10-month podcast hiatus• Solo episodes will be the primary format moving forward to accommodate scheduling constraints• Selected recordings from Public Health Career Club events may be released as podcast episodes• PH SPOT is simplifying its approach to helping public health professionals build meaningful careers• The Public Health Career Club has opened 2025 enrollment with workshops, office hours, and networking eventsJoin us in the Public Health Career Club to connect with like-minded professionals and accelerate your career development. Find us on LinkedIn to share your thoughts on future episode topics!Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!This week, our guest Christie VanHorne shares her career trajectory into public health from a background in history and involvement in humanitarian efforts. From working as a health educator to creating her own public health consulting business and teaching at Vassar College, Christie's story highlights how hard work, staying true to yourself, and having a solid network are all crucial to building your dream career. Her journey emphasizes the dynamic nature of professional and personal evolution, encouraging listeners to embrace change and growth. You’ll LearnChristie’s path into public health through a passion for human rights and social justiceHer work in South Africa with the Peace Corps and international health Building a strong network to open up doors to new opportunitiesDealing with toxic workplaces and how Christie founded her consulting businessHow education has been a common factor throughout all of Christie’s career and how her love for teaching led to a decision to pursue a DrPHDeciding between a DrPH and PhD and figuring out which path is best for youFinding your niche in public health, staying true to yourself, and traversing your journey at your own paceToday’s GuestChristie is a seasoned public health consultant with 20 years of experience. In 2015, she founded CVH Consulting, LLC., offering services to create impactful health education and training experiences for her clients. Christie has worked with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the New York State Department of Health, the Hemophilia Federation of America, and many more organizations to design, develop, and update programs. She is also a subject matter expert on the social determinants and health equity for many continuing education projects for community-based organization staff and healthcare professionals. From her time in the Peace Corps in South Africa to teaching at Vassar College and all the career experiences in between, Christie's dedication to public health shines. Last year, she was recognized with the prestigious ATHENA Award, an international honor for women who demonstrate excellence in their profession, community service, and mentorship of future leaders. One of her current volunteer roles is serving as the Vice-Chair of the National Women’s Health Network Board of Directors. In August, Christie will start her Doctor of Public Health degree at Tulane University, specializing in Equity, Leadership, and Advocacy. She resides in the Hudson Valley, NY, with her beloved pups and husband.ResourcesFollow Christie on LinkedIn and Instagram Learn more about CVH ConsultingSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani delves into her personal struggles with speaking in public and how it affected her career in public health. She reflects on her initial reluctance to speak in various settings and her journey of self-improvement through the creation of her podcast. Sujani shares that by creating opportunities to practice speaking, she was able to progressively build confidence and improve her communication skills. She emphasizes the importance of small, consistent steps toward facing and overcoming fears. Her transformation led to better engagement in conversations, more profound connections with colleagues, and the ability to speak up in meetings, which were once daunting tasks. By sharing her story, Sujani hopes to inspire listeners to embark on their own journeys of self-improvement and career advancement, proving that the challenges we face can become the catalysts for our triumphs.Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!Welcome to the Public Health Career Club. From sitting down with accomplished public health professionals who will spill the beans on making the most of your degree, to personalized career advice during our office hours – it's all happening here. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. We've packed our calendar with monthly resume clinics, mentorship sessions, and social mixers to spark lifelong connections. Stay tuned for our weekly workshops and special talks that promise to keep your professional growth on a constant upswing. If you're listening from April 10th to 12th, 2024, don't miss this golden opportunity to become a part of the Public Health Career Club. Let's roll up our sleeves and make a difference together!Featured on the Show:Connect with Sujani on LinkedInEmail us at: hello@phspot.orgFollow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TwitterSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!Have you ever found yourself at a career crossroads, contemplating a leap into uncharted territory? Join us as we navigate the captivating realm of public health careers with Dr. Vinu Ilakkuvan. She shares her remarkable shift from engineering to public health, shedding light on the serendipitous ways that one's professional journey can unfold. We discuss the strategic reframing of skills that allow for such shifts, and the interplay between work experience and academic learning. Our dialogue unveils the empowering process of aligning personal values with professional ambitions, leading to a career that's not just a job but a calling. You’ll LearnVinu’s experience transitioning from biomedical engineering to public health early in her career vs. pivoting from one role to another later on Vinu’s various job roles and what she learned from each oneHow Vinu’s passion for working in an interconnected public health environment and bridging policy and ground work led to the creation of PoP HealthWhat PoP Health is and how they improve public health by collaborating with coalitions to facilitate community accessReflecting on your own career experiences and gaining confidence to form your own story and work towards your dream jobToday’s GuestVinu Ilakkuvan, DrPH, MSPH, is passionate about strengthening community-driven efforts to address the upstream, root drivers of health (pophealthllc.com/tedx). She is Founder and Principal Consultant of PoP Health, a public health consulting practice that partners with community coalitions and collaboratives to transform health in their communities through policy and systems change (pophealthllc.com). PoP Health helps coalitions engage in community collaboration, action planning, participatory evaluation, and effective storytelling. PoP Health also issues a biweekly newsletter, Community Threads, with tools and strategies for anyone seeking to improve community health (pophealthllc.com/newsletter). Vinu received her DrPH in Health Behavior from the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health as a Milken Scholar, a Master’s degree with a concentration in Health Communication from the Harvard School of Public Health, and Bachelor’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Economics from the University of Virginia. She currently serves as a Professorial Lecturer at George Washington University. Vinu began her public health career coordinating the Virginia Department of Health's bullying and youth violence prevention program and later, evaluating the national truth antismoking campaign and managing policy and communications projects at Trust for America’s Health.ResourcesConnect with Vinu on LinkedIn Learn more about the Truth Initiative Learn more about Trust for America's Health Learn more about PoP Health Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!Our guest this week, Angeza Mohammed, is a testament to the power of aligning one's passions with their profession. Follow her strategic yet dynamic career path and learn how mentally and physically envisioning her ideal life, strategic networking, and taking risks led to her creating The Consulting Nest and How did you learn to do that?, The Successful Candidate. You’ll LearnHow Angeza was first introduced to public healthWhy Angeza pivoted from her dreams of becoming a doctor to public healthAngeza’s career journey and how she was able to move closer to her dream job by taking risks, strategic networking, and envisioning her next stepsFiguring out what you want from a career, knowing your worth, and not letting fear hold you back from changeWhat The Consulting Nest is and how it connects organizations to individuals offering their skillsToday’s GuestAngeza Mohammed is the CEO and Founder of How did you learn to do that?, The Successful Candidate and The Consulting Nest Inc.With over 10 years of professional experience, Angeza brings a unique and strategic approach to creating the career you want, feeling fulfilled and knowing how to take the next step in your growth!Angeza’s career has taken her through and into all aspects of the health care system in British Columbia, Canada and it all began before she even graduated from her undergrad, all thanks to her unique strategy which has been instrumental to her success!Angeza’s purpose in life is to share and inspire you to create the life that you wish existed for yourself. In addition to her successful healthcare career, Angeza coaches recent graduates and professionals to help them discover what fulfills them, how to align that with their career and how to take action every single day towards creating the life they always wish existed for themselves!Angeza’s biggest piece of advice to you is to always remember that investing in yourself has the ability to catalyze your life from ordinary to extraordinary.ResourcesConnect with Angeza on LinkedIn Learn more about How did you learn to do that?, The Successful Candidate and The Consulting Nest Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!Today, unlock a world of innovation at the crossroads of entrepreneurship and public health consulting with Leah Roman and Vinu Ilakkuvan. They bring to light the motivations behind a groundbreaking survey on self-employed public health professionals, revealing the often hidden sides of self employment. Through candid conversations, we learn about the economic prospects of consulting and the pressing need for more academic training and support networks to arm future public health entrepreneurs with the tools for success.You’ll LearnWhat prompted Leah, Vinu, and Laura to collaborate on “The self-employed public health consultant and entrepreneur workforce in the United States” and the method behind conducting the surveyKey findings from the survey including demographics and formal training in skills related to entrepreneurshipBreaking down the financial aspects of consulting and salary transparencyThe gap in support networks for self employed public health professionals and brainstorming how to bridge itWhat Leah and Vinu hope to achieve next with the results collected from the surveyToday’s GuestLeah A. Roman, MPH, MCHES is the Owner & Principal Consultant for Roman Public Health Consulting LLC, where she helps public health organizations design effective e-learning solutions. She has 18+ years of experience providing training and technical assistance, health education, and project management services. Leah has a BA in Psychology (University of San Diego), a master of public health degree (Boston University), a certificate in e-learning instructional design (University of Washington), and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). Leah lives in the Philadelphia, PA area (USA) with her husband and two children.Vinu Ilakkuvan, DrPH, MSPH, is passionate about strengthening community-driven efforts to address the upstream, root drivers of health. She is Founder and Principal Consultant of PoP Health, a public health consulting practice that partners with community coalitions and collaboratives to transform health in their communities through policy and systems change. PoP Health helps coalitions engage in community collaboration, action planning, participatory evaluation, and effective storytelling. PoP Health also issues a biweekly newsletter, Community Threads, with tools and strategies for anyone seeking to improve community health ResourcesConnect with Leah on LinkedIn and read her blog post on how much to charge for consulting services Connect with Vinu on LinkedIn and learn more about PoP HealthRead more about the results from the The self-employed public health consultant and entrepreneur workforce in the United States surveyListen to previous episodes with Leah on Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!Embark on a transformative journey with Tasha Whitaker, a seasoned Community Health Worker whose heart beats for public health education and advocacy. From her initial dreams of trauma nursing to becoming a beacon of hope and change within her community, Tasha's story is a testament to the power of passion and persistence. Uncover the nuanced dynamics of Community Health Workers, the unsung heroes who bridge gaps between healthcare systems and the people they serve. Our conversation is a deep dive into how these trusted liaisons navigate complex webs of resources, while also highlighting the serendipitous nature of career opportunities that can arise from the most unexpected of places.You’ll LearnWhat a community health worker (CHW) is and how they work to better community health through building relationships within the communityTasha’s experience with landing a job as a CHW right out of undergrad The skillsets needed to be successful in community health workQualifications needed to become a CHW and how they differ depending on where you’re locatedOther pathways that are available for CHWs such as in research, clinical roles, and management and how skills learned from being a CHW prepare you for other rolesTasha’s transition from ground work to training others to starting her own professional development company and the work she does now with Crew Wellness LLCToday’s GuestTasha Whitaker is the CEO of Crew Wellness LLC, a Wellness Education Training & Professional Development Company which she founded after a decade of work experience leading in healthcare roles that have impacted federal, state and local public health organizations. Tasha has been featured on ABC 25, KYTX, CBS DFW and highlighted in magazine and print articles for her community engagement and public health expertise. She is sought after for her ability to improve community engagement outcomes through wellness interventions, strategic processes, and training thousands of Community Health Workers to deploy health education for communities nationally. Through her company Crew Wellness she is impacting not only the communities being served, but also the Crew (staff) providing the services to ensure wellness is prioritized so they can continue to contribute to the positive health outcomes for communities. Tasha regularly consults for companies wishing to gain deeper connections with communities by providing relevant, fun and engaging professional development training to the crew so they can serve equitably and provide a stellar service to the communities they serve. ResourcesConnect with Tasha on LinkedIn Learn more about Crew Wellness LLCFor Americans, learn more at the National Association of Community Health WorkersLearn more about American state policiesFor Canadians, learn more at the Community Health Workers Network of Canada Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!