Biography
Jeanie Holt, MS, MPH, is a skilled leader who focuses on consensus-building. She facilitates collaborative planning and action. She listens attentively and communicates respect. She is organized and knowledgeable. Jeanie loves connecting with people and also linking people with each other. Her leadership style is based on the deep understanding that everyone has important perspectives to contribute. She facilitates sharing diverse viewpoints and building consensus.
Jeanie has been an active member of APHA for over 20 years serving in leadership roles in her affiliate, her section, on the Council of Affiliates and the Executive Board. For the past 7 years she focused on strengthening APHA state affiliates, helping 23 affiliates to craft strong strategic plans. She served on the Executive Board Strategic Planning Committee for four years contributing to the development of the new mission and strategic plan. She’s been an active member of the team which taught a Learning Institute workshop, “Reimagining Public Health Leadership for Equity”, at the APHA in 2023. She is on the team to offer this popular Institute again in 2024.
Jeanie’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) has been central to her public health career. Her most recent work includes co-authoring the APHA Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Toolkit, serving on the on-going CoA JEDI workgroup, and facilitating JEDI assessment and action planning with small nonprofit organizations. The Toolkit assessment is an important part of every strategic planning effort she leads. I’ve consulted with the Public Health Foundation and the National Board of Public Health Examiners to enhance their equity work. Jeanie serves on APHA’s Committee on Health Equity.
Candidate Statement
I love APHA! I love being in this community that values social justice and science-based practice. I learn from the many brilliant, diverse professionals with whom I share a deep commitment to building and sustaining healthy communities.
For over 20 years I’ve been active at every level of APHA including assuming leadership roles in my state affiliate, and on the Council of Affiliates, the APHA Executive Board, and the CHPPD section. For the past five years I have been strengthening APHA’s state affiliates by facilitating strategic planning with 23 state public health associations. I co-developed and implemented the Diversity & Equity Tool Kit, and participated in the Learning Institute on public health leadership at Annual Meeting 2023.
My passion for APHA does not blind me to the challenges we face. As the “umbrella” of a very diverse field, our attempts to serve so many interests have led to a stretched and awkward structure. The need for staff and financial resources to support this structure has resulted in an organization that is not accessible to many public health workers. And we struggle to balance our social justice passion with our commitment to science-based action.
I am well-qualified to help APHA turn challenges into opportunities. I have connections across the entire Association, with strong relationships with leaders and members of affiliates, sections, caucuses and staff. I work well with a wide variety of people, listening attentively and communicating respect even when I hold a different viewpoint. By connecting people to each other, building networks within the APHA community and beyond, we can build a better Association.
I am passionate about APHA and our mission. As APHA President, my skills as a connector and catalyst will strengthen our work toward a vision of optimal and equitable well-being for both people and the planet.