Biography
Nandi Marshall, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CLC, CDE is a community-engaged scholar committed to maternal and child health equity and preparing the next generation of public health professionals with over 20 years of experience. She is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and an Associate Professor at Georgia Southern University’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. She holds a BA from Spelman College, an MPH from East Stroudsburg University, and a DrPH from Georgia Southern University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Certified Diversity Executive.
Currently, Chair of the American Public Health Association Executive Board, she has served as Chair of the Science Board, Co-Chair of the Joint Policy Committee, and is active in the Georgia Affiliate as a journal and abstract reviewer, and previous abstract committee chair. She served as the Georgia Society for Public Health Education’s Education and Training Co-Lead and Co-Chair of the Student and New Professional Caucus for the Society for Public Health Education. With the United States Breastfeeding Committee, she is a member of the CRASH committee, nominations committee, and an APHA member representative. She is a board member for the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition, Bulloch County Board of Health, Mayor’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion in Statesboro, GA, and Racial Equity and Leadership Savannah Taskforce in Savannah, GA.
Dr. Marshall has secured grants as PI/Co-PI and has contributed to community-based programming and participatory research, including a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018-present) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant, as a contributor leading the breastfeeding continuity of care initiative, and a grant as PI from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health (2019-2023) to implement evidence-based programming in a Chatham County high school to prevent opioid use. Dr. Marshall secured $3.25 million in HRSA funding to help disadvantaged students finance their graduate public health degrees. She has published book chapters, handbooks, and peer-reviewed manuscripts, including a 2023 release on amplifying the voices of Black/African American women regarding breastfeeding barriers. She also received the 2021 Healthy Savannah Health Innovation Award.
Dr. Marshall is a proud Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member, devoted wife and mother of two children.
Candidate Statement
Having been selected as a candidate for APHA President-Elect is truly an honor and a privilege. Having the opportunity to be elected and engage our members, affiliates, and partners through this role is a culmination of my life’s work dedicated to service and leadership. Driven by my commitment to health equity through community engagement, I find my strength in being a compassionate and fierce advocate while listening with an open mind and heart. I welcome the opportunity to serve as your President-Elect.
Since joining APHA as a graduate student in 2005, I have served across the association with the Science Board, Member (two terms) and Chair; Joint Policy Committee Co-Chair; Governing Councilor, Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section - PHEHP (two terms); PHEHP student awards committee, Chair; Publications Board, student member; and am completing my term on the Executive Board, including service as Vice-Chair and current Chair. I am a member of the Black Caucus of Health Workers, the Breastfeeding Forum, the Public Health Education and Health Promotion section, the Maternal and Child section, and the Georgia Public Health Association. Additionally, I am an APHA member representative for the United States Breastfeeding Committee.
Through my engagement and service on the APHA Executive Board, I understand APHA is sustained by staff and volunteers who are innovative, passionate, and steadfast in their commitment to the association and public health. As APHA President-Elect, I will work with staff and members to support the implementation of our strategic plan and help realize the association's mission, vision and purpose.