In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Dr. Shawnté Elbert shares what it looks like to choose alignment over comfort — even when that means walking away from roles, titles, and systems she worked years to build. From navigating moments of forced transition to rebuilding her work without a platform, she reflects on the courage it takes to trust your own discernment when everything familiar falls away. This is a conversation about courage, identity, and power — and what it means to lead without negotiating your value. Meet Dr. Shawnté Elbert✨ Dr. Shawnté M. Elbert, EdD, MCHES, is a nationally recognized higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing student well-being, health equity, and leadership development across diverse institutional settings. She has served as Associate Vice President of Health and Well-being at The Ohio State University, Associate Dean of Health and Wellness at Central Washington University, and Director of Health and Wellness Promotion at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. In these roles, she provided strategic oversight for multimillion-dollar budgets, supervised cross-functional teams, and led the design and implementation of integrated wellness models that connected health, counseling, recreation, and student success initiatives. Dr. Elbert is also an accomplished educator, currently serving on the faculty at Walden University and Abilene Christian University, where she teaches graduate and doctoral-level courses in health education, public health, leadership, and qualitative research. Her leadership has shaped institutional policy and practice across immunization and wellness policy, sexual misconduct education, and DEI-driven wellness councils. She has successfully secured millions in grants and philanthropic funding for student wellness, peer support, and resiliency initiatives. A sought-after speaker and consultant, Dr. Elbert is known for her ability to bridge research, practice, and policy to foster cultures of belonging and well-being in higher education. Her scholarship includes co-authoring Supporting Neurodiverse College Student Success (2020) and Well-Being Leadership in Higher Education: A Guide for Successful Well-Being Programs (2024). Conversation Highlights 🎙️ Choosing Alignment Over Comfort — Dr. Elbert defines courage as choosing alignment over comfort, even when it comes with real professional and personal cost. Walking Away from What You Built — She reflects on what it meant to step away from roles and titles she worked hard to earn—and how that decision reshaped her path. You Don't Negotiate Your Value — A pivotal shift in her leadership: entering rooms with clarity about her worth, without feeling the need to prove she belongs. Rebuilding in Transition — Dr. Elbert shares what it takes to move forward without a clear path—redefining identity and direction beyond traditional roles. Leading Without the Title — She describes continuing to show up, speak, and lead without relying on formal positions or institutional backing. "I don't negotiate my value once I'm in the room." — Dr. Shawnté M. Elbert Stay in Touch 🔗 With Dr. Shawnté M. Elbert LinkedIn ↗: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnteelbert/ Website ↗: https://www.elbertinnovativesolutions.org/ Facebook ↗: https://www.facebook.com/people/Elbert-Innovative-Solutions-LLC/61573657841067/# Instagram ↗: https://www.instagram.com/dr.espeaks_/ TikTok ↗: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_e_speaks With Dr. Kristi McClamroch LinkedIn ↗: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch Website ↗: www.CourageousPublicHealth.com Follow for weekly reflections on courage and leadership ↗: http://eepurl.com/jcgQv6 Public Health Consulting to Support You 🤝 We partner with public health, healthcare, nonprofit, philanthropic, and government organizations to design and facilitate interactive workshops for women leaders in public health — turning courage into a leadership skill so it becomes an organizational strength. If your organization would benefit from this kind of support, we'd love to connect. Reach out on LinkedIn ↗ or through our website ↗.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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