APHA Women’s Leadership Institute

The Untamed Path: Trailblazing Through Change

Leadership is rarely a smooth road — it’s a rugged, ever-changing path that requires courage, clarity and connection. Join a community of women leaders at APHA’s Women’s Leadership Institute as we explore how to lead through change with authenticity and resilience. This year’s theme, The Untamed Path: Trailblazing Through Change, invites attendees to define their personal leadership philosophy and learn how to apply it in these uncertain times in public health. Through interactive sessions, inspiring stories from those who’ve faced difficult transitions and opportunities for reflection and networking, you’ll gather the tools and strength needed to navigate even the toughest terrain. 

Together, we’ll find joy in the journey and blaze new trails — one step at a time. 

Saturday, Nov 1, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 

Session 1: Finding Your North Star: Defining Your Leadership Philosophy on the Trail of Change 

Every trailblazer needs a compass. In this interactive session, you’ll define your personal leadership philosophy — the values and beliefs that guide you — and learn how to apply it during times of uncertainty and change. Through reflection, storytelling and peer discussion, you’ll gain clarity on what grounds your leadership and how to stay true to it when the path gets tough. Walk away with a stronger sense of direction and confidence to lead through any terrain. 

Session 2: Voices from the Trail: Lessons in Leading Through Change 

You’ve identified your philosophy. Now, let’s learn how to lean on it when things get tough. The path through change can feel isolating, until you hear from those who’ve walked it before. In this powerful session, you’ll hear from women leaders who have navigated storms, detours and unexpected forks in the road. Through candid storytelling and conversation, these trailblazers will share how they stayed grounded in their leadership philosophies, made tough decisions and found resilience in the face of uncertainty. Their journeys will inspire you, challenge you and remind you that even the hardest trails can lead to new heights. 

Session 3: Rest Stops and Revelations: Finding Joy and Celebrating the Journey 

Even the most rugged trails have moments of beauty, if we pause long enough to notice them. In this closing session, we’ll shift our focus to joy, gratitude and the power of celebrating small wins along the way. Attendees will explore strategies for cultivating joy in leadership, especially during times of change, and learn how to recognize and honor progress — both personal and collective. Through reflection and connection, we’ll end the day focused, energized and ready to carry that joy forward on the journey ahead.  

Join us for the Champion Conversation: Women Leaders Making the Public's Health a National Priority on Monday, Nov. 3 from 8:30-10 a.m. 

Women leaders across the nation are at the forefront of shaping policies and driving change to elevate public health as a national priority. This dynamic session will bring together trailblazing women in politics, heads of influential organizations and other prominent changemakers to share how they have stayed grounded in their leadership philosophies while navigating the complex challenges of advocacy, policymaking and systemic reform. Through powerful storytelling and candid conversation, these leaders will reflect on their personal journeys, the strategies they've employed to push public health to the center of the national agenda and the lessons they've learned along the way. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped with insights into how values-based leadership can transform communities and systems for the better.