In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Brittaney Jenkins, BS, CHES®, CPST—founder and CEO of Jenkins Public Health Consulting, course and program strategist, and public health entrepreneur—shares how courage looks in real life: moving away from home, building a business from her expertise, and learning to name her value without apology.
Brittaney also breaks down what it takes to protect your work in contract negotiations, treat confidence as a skill you can build, and lead with strong boundaries as a mother and a leader.
You’re listening to the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Episode 43.
Meet Brittaney Jenkins, BS, CHES®, CPST
Brittaney Jenkins is a nationally Certified Health Education Specialist®️, public health practitioner, speaker, and career coach with over 15 years of experience in healthcare and public health.
Inspired by a legacy of community service from her adoption and lived experiences that introduced her to philanthropy and fundraising, Brittaney founded Jenkins Public Health Consulting®️ in 2018. Based in Alabama and serving clients globally, Jenkins Public Health Consulting is a woman- and minority-owned firm helping non-profit and for-profit organizations attract consistent funding by deploying highly effective programs, effective strategic partners and rebuilding trust with community to improve access to resources and health outcomes. Brittaney specializes in chronic disease and injury prevention initiatives and self management programs with an emphasis on health equity and disparities.
Recognized for her contributions to public health and healthcare, Brittaney has won and managed over $12 million in local, state and federal funding, designed and implemented national level health initiatives, and been awarded as “Rising Star” by the Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce, featured by Marquis Who’s Who for Excellence in Public Health, and served in community-focused leadership roles including Chair of the Smoke Free Indy Coalition and Co Chair of the Toxicology Board at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Jenkins Public Health Consulting also has workforce development resources that help individuals around the globe land high pay and fulfilling jobs in health care or public health.
Conversation Highlights
- Hesitation vs. fear — Brittaney reframes what stops leaders: often it’s not fear, it’s hesitation and a need for clarity about alignment and purpose.
- Leaving home as a courageous leap — She shares what it took to move away from a big family system, trust her adulthood, and choose a life that fit (including the weather!).
- Charging for expertise (especially coming from nonprofit) — She names the mindset shift from “nonprofit = free” to “nonprofit is still a business,” and why paid expertise is part of sustainable impact.
- Protecting intellectual property in contracts — She breaks down the courage it takes to negotiate—so organizations don’t extract your frameworks and methods “at no cost.”
- Motherhood, boundaries, and invisible risk — She talks about the courage of childcare decisions when your child has serious food allergies—and the leadership it takes to educate and set standards (like EpiPen readiness).
“You’re not cocky. You’re confident.” — Brittaney Jenkins, BS, CHES®, CPST
Stay in Touch
With Brittaney Jenkins:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittaneyrjenkins/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jphcllc/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenkinspublichealth
With Dr. Kristi McClamroch:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch/
Website: www.CourageousPublicHealth.com
Subscribe to Weekly Courageous Public Health Podcast Updates: http://eepurl.com/jcgQv6
Public Health Consulting to Support You
We partner with public health, healthcare, nonprofit, philanthropic, and government organizations to design workshops and facilitated sessions that help women leaders recognize, strengthen, and intentionally use courage as an organizational skill — especially in times of uncertainty, burnout, and systems under strain.
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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