ASPPH President and CEO Dr. Laura Magaña has coauthored a new article with American Public Health Association (APHA) Executive Director Dr. Georges Benjamin in Frontiers in Public Health. Their article, Now more than ever: building a resilient public health future through inclusive leadership, calls for a reimagining of leadership in the field by moving beyond top-down structures and instead developing leaders who are rooted in, trusted by, and responsive to diverse communities.

Drs. Magaña and Benjamin emphasize that traditional, top-down leadership structures are inadequate for addressing the complexities of today’s public health crises. Instead, they argue for cultivating leaders who are embedded in, trusted by, and responsive to diverse communities. Such leaders are essential for navigating uncertainty, sustaining public trust, and ensuring equitable health outcomes.

Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent crises, the article highlights the urgent need for a national public health leadership training agenda. This agenda should prioritize mentorship, flexible educational models, and integration across academic, governmental, and community-based institutions. Importantly, the authors recommend reforming leadership metrics to focus less on positional authority and more on measurable impact, such as community engagement, equitable policy adoption, and improved public understanding of health issues.

This call to action reflects broader workforce challenges, including declines in institutional knowledge, rising workplace harassment, and the exodus of public health professionals. By investing in inclusive, equity-driven leadership development, the nation can strengthen its public health infrastructure, foster resilience, and prepare for future crises.

ASPPH is proud to share this important contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the future of public health leadership and remains committed to advancing innovative, community-centered approaches that protect and promote the health of all.