Insights from Executive Leadership Coaching for Public Health and Community Leaders

August 05, 2025 | Valerie Henderson, Alice Schenall

ASTHO hosted three virtual executive leadership coaching circles (ELCs) designed to build the capacity of state and territorial health officials (S/THOs), their executive teams, and leaders from community-led organizations. These sessions prioritized health equity, transforming community health, and fostering sustainable practices. The ELCs were designed to enhance or encourage communication, providing a networking platform aimed at operationalizing health equity and the policies and practices that promote healthy and resilient communities.

Participants included executive leaders from community-led organizations and their respective S/THOs and their executive teams across seven states (Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont). Each ELC focused on a distinct domain: community engagement and communication, workforce development, and sustainability of efforts promoting healthy and resilient communities. While ASTHO convened these sessions, they were facilitated by expert leaders in each subject area. Each session was crafted to foster mutual understanding between S/THOs and community leaders, outlining actionable steps for collaboration.

The Community Engagement and Communication session illustrated how ELCs can serve as a tool to support S/THOs and community leaders. It emphasized forging common ground — a Boundary Spanning Leadership approach — as a way to build trust and foster community, mobilizing a shared vision. During the dialogue, community executive leaders from Hawaii discussed historical boundaries and racial issues as key challenges in Hawaii, offering profound insights into the role of culture and place in guiding effective community engagement for executive leaders.

This Q&A features additional insights from former S/THOs who facilitated each session: Ed Ehlinger, Susan Kansagra, and Jewel Mullen.

QUESTION:
Can you identify the role of S/THOs as key influencers and champions in creating a culture of sustainability? How can they ensure they are informed and supportive in this effort?

ANSWER:
Each participant highlighted the importance of collective impact. Collective impact recognizes that while S/THOs play a crucial role in fostering sustainability, advising policies, advocating for strategic partnerships, and promoting interconnectivity, it is equally important to engage stakeholders who can contribute unique perspectives and ideas along with a dedicated workforce committed to long-term sustainability and community responsibility. Mullen emphasized the importance of bidirectional communication between collaborators to ensure a shared understanding of priorities and goals.

ELC facilitators also emphasized that public health should be viewed not only as a profession, but also as a value-driven approach that promotes well-being for all. Consequently, the mission should always prioritize the health and safety of the public.

QUESTION:
Why is it more important than ever for state teams and community-led organizations to continue implementing innovative approaches to promote health for all? Are there any specific redesign efforts you would recommend?

ANSWER:
The facilitators all shared the sentiment that communities are continuing to grow and diversify like never before; therefore, redesigning efforts are necessary to advance equitable practices that don't necessarily fit the status quo. Kansagra and Ehlinger highlighted efforts that include identifying community influencers who have a deeper reach and authentic voice within the populations they serve. Another important consideration was the history and relationship of public health with specific populations and how it impacts trust.

QUESTION:
How can state agencies and communities maintain relationships, partnerships, and a sense of connectedness in the absence of funding and during times of resource scarcity? What role should executive leadership play in this context?

ANSWER:
A common theme that the facilitators identified was that relationships and community connectedness are not just about money or funding. As Ehlinger noted, "relationships are the 'coin of the realm' in public health. The reciprocal of that is detrimental to health. If relationships are formed solely due to funding availability, programs will not be optimally effective or sustainable." Mullen emphasized that meaningful relationships are priceless and that the role of executive leaders is to spark innovation and cultivate new partnerships. Kansagra shared an example of how public health departments have collaborated with faith leaders to build trust. These relationships empower faith leaders to support and amplify public health messages — like those about nutrition, mental health, and substance use — within their congregations and communities. Ehlinger summed it up: "It gives the message that we are all in this together."

QUESTION:
How can S/THOs effectively leverage data and community feedback to tailor their sustainability initiatives, ensuring that they address the unique health needs and preferences of diverse populations within their jurisdictions? What strategies can be implemented to enhance data-driven decision-making in this context?

ANSWER:
Ehlinger and Mullen both emphasized the significance of narratives and lived experiences as valuable sources of data, often more impactful than purely objective data. They underscored the need for community involvement throughout the data collection process. Mullen advised S/THOs to be transparent about both the results that have been achieved and those that have not. She also encouraged the use of data to highlight the similarities as well as the disparities among various groups.

QUESTION:
During the ELC, did anything particularly stand out to you? Was there a moment that changed the flow of the discussion? If so, could you elaborate on it?

ANSWER:
Both Ehlinger and Mullen spoke about their experience leading ELCs.

Ehlinger shared, "Community engagement is not just the responsibility of the S/THO; it should be a part of the job description for all members of the state health agency. Team leadership is a model for moving forward during these times when federal policy and decision-making pose a threat to public health. All partners of the broadly defined public health team must be engaged in a meaningful way if we are going to sustain the program and not lose ground in our effort to advance health equity and optimal health for all."

Mullen included her personal experience, sharing, "All [participants] were starting to experience disorientation as dismantling of public health and HHS had begun. She used this moment to state her belief that “we must not give up hope”. Encouraging people to maximize their potential seemed to offer them a way forward, albeit a small one in the context of our challenges. But it was a reminder to find optimism where one can.

Conclusion

The ELC sessions highlighted the incredible role that S/THOs and community organizations play in promoting sustainability, community engagement, and optimal health for all.

By working together, building strong relationships, and embracing innovative, data-driven approaches, public health leaders can truly foster healthy and resilient communities. It’s essential for S/THOs and their teams to connect meaningfully with their communities, championing health equity and inclusiveness in all public health efforts. These trusted partnerships can create transformative systems change, ensuring health and well-being for all populations, now and in the future.