Leadership Academy for Emerging Public Health Leaders

This initiative was funded through the Department of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

The Problem

Nevada’s public health system faces ongoing workforce shortages, leadership turnover, and capacity gaps—particularly in rural and historically underserved communities. While frontline professionals possess deep community knowledge and commitment, many lack access to structured leadership development pathways tailored to the realities of public health practice.

Emerging leaders often assume supervisory or systems-level roles without formal training in strategic planning, implementation science, change management, or cross-sector collaboration. This creates challenges in sustaining evidence-based programs, securing funding, and navigating complex policy and community environments.

The funder supported this initiative to strengthen Nevada’s long-term public health infrastructure by investing in a structured, competency-based leadership pipeline that builds durable skills, fosters peer networks, and supports sustainable systems change.

The Solution

The Larson Institute designed and implemented a 9-month online Leadership Academy to support emerging public health leaders across Nevada. The Academy integrates live seminars, applied learning projects, mentorship, and peer-learning communities.

Core competency areas include strategic planning and systems thinking; implementation science and program sustainability; data-informed decision-making; community engagement and coalition building; and equity-centered leadership and cultural humility.

The Results

22 emerging leaders enrolled in the inaugural cohort
Participants represented rural, urban, state, and community-based agencies
Strengthened cross-sector collaboration and peer leadership networks statewide

Participants reported increased confidence in strategic decision-making, enhanced ability to manage teams and programs, and greater readiness to lead complex public health initiatives. The Academy has generated strong interest for continuation and expansion.