Public Health CEO Summit
2026 • Free • January 21-22
Lead Like a CEO in 2026—Not Just a Founder Trying to Figure It Out
The Public Health CEO Summit is a free, two-day leadership + execution experience designed to help public health entrepreneurs stop operating like founders-for-hire and start leading like CEOs going into 2026.
You started your business because you wanted flexibility, impact, and ownership over your work.
But somewhere along the way, decision fatigue, unclear priorities, and “figuring it out as you go” started running the show.
This isn’t about hustle.
It’s about how CEOs think, decide, and prioritize.
Day 1: CEO Identity, Leadership & Perspective
Tuesday, January 21 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET
What Does It Mean to Lead Like a CEO in 2026?
Day 1 is about perspective and permission.
Public health founders at different stages of entrepreneurship will share honest insights about leadership, growth, and decision-making—so you can stop comparing and start leading with clarity.
You’ll Hear From:
Dr. Desiree Strickland (Dr. Des)
Founder & CEO, The Public Health Club
Laurin Kelly, MPH, PMP, CSM
Founder & CEO, Battle Plan Strategic Consulting
(On the road to $1M after a $500K year)
Angela Frazier, MPH
Founder & CEO, Sisters in Public Health
(Newly full-time in entrepreneurship + nonprofit leadership)
Dr. Brittny James
Founder & CEO, Insight Consulting
Former COO; currently balancing entrepreneurship with executive leadership at Emory
Day 1 Is About:
Navigating different seasons of entrepreneurship
Making CEO-level decisions—before everything feels “perfect”
Leading with clarity whether you’re side-hustling, scaling, or stabilizing
Redefining success based on your current season
If you’ve been asking:
“Am I doing this right?”
“Should I scale, stay lean, or pause?”
“What does leadership look like for me right now?”
Day 1 is for you.
Most public health entrepreneurs don’t fail because they lack skill or passion.
They struggle because no one teaches them how to:
Think like a CEO
Make decisions from strategy instead of stress
Build businesses that support their life—not consume it
The Public Health CEO Summit exists to change that.
Day 2: CEO Skills, Strategy & Systems
Wednesday, January 22 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET
Vision Is Powerful—But Strategy Is What Pays the Bills
Day 2 is focused on implementation.
You’ll learn the specific skills and priorities public health CEOs need to focus on now to build sustainable, profitable businesses in 2026.
This is not theory.
This is not “do all the things.”
This is CEO-level clarity.
You’ll Hear From:
Dr. Desiree Strickland (Dr. Des)
CEO strategy, execution, and prioritization
Sainte Billings, CPA
Financial priorities, profit planning, and CEO-level money decisions
Chastity Robertson, M.Ed.
What actually matters in marketing for 2026—and what to stop doing
Chelsea Cole, MPH
Operations systems that allow you to scale without burning out
We’ll Cover:
What to focus on financially (and what most founders delay too long)
How to simplify your marketing so it actually converts
Operations decisions that save time, money, and mental energy
The CEO systems you need—whether you’re solo or building a team
You’ll leave with clear priorities, not overwhelm—and strategies you can act on immediately.
If 2026 is your year to:
✔️ Get more intentional
✔️ Make smarter business decisions
✔️ Stop winging it and start leading
Day 2 is non-negotiable.
This summit is for public health professionals who:
Own or are building a consulting, coaching, or service-based business
Are side-hustling, newly full-time, or actively scaling
Want to stop reacting and start leading
Know they need stronger systems, clearer priorities, and better decision-making
Are ready to see themselves—and operate—as a CEO
You don’t need a certain revenue level.
You do need a desire to lead with intention.
I created the Public Health CEO Summit because I know what it feels like to build something meaningful in public health—and still question whether you’re leading it the “right” way.
So many public health entrepreneurs are doing powerful work, yet carrying the weight of every decision alone. They’re talented, capable, and committed—but operating without clear models for what CEO-level leadership actually looks like in this field.
This Summit is my way of pulling back the curtain.
Not to tell you what path to take—but to help you see what’s possible, what’s required, and what truly matters as you lead into your next season.
My hope is that you walk away with more than information.
I want you to leave with:
Clear priorities instead of constant second-guessing
Confidence in your decisions—even when the answers aren’t obvious
A stronger sense of yourself as a CEO, not just a founder trying to figure it out
And the understanding that you don’t have to do this alone
Public health needs leaders who are grounded, strategic, and sustainable.
If this Summit helps you lead with more clarity, intention, and ownership—then it’s done exactly what it was meant to do.
— Dr. Desiree Strickland (Dr.Des)
