In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Corinna Kelley shares what it looks like to practice courage by staying in uncertainty — sitting in discomfort long enough to rediscover who you are becoming.
From leaving a full-time role to step into consulting without a clear plan, to sharing her story on stage, Corinna reflects on how growth happens not by avoiding discomfort, but by learning to stay with it.
This is a conversation about courage, identity, and transformation — and what it takes to lead from within.
Meet Corinna Kelley, MPH✨
Corinna Kelley, MPH is a leadership coach and speaker who supports mission-driven leaders navigating growth, transition, and expanded responsibility with clarity and aligned authority.
With more than 20 years of experience in public health, Corinna has worked across healthcare systems, health departments, nonprofits, and community partnerships to advance health equity and improve outcomes.
Drawing from her lived experience as a multiracial woman, veteran, and leader with non-apparent disabilities, she brings a deeply personal understanding of identity and leadership in complex environments.
Through CREID Consulting and Coaching, she partners with organizations to strengthen leadership presence, support strategic partnerships, and develop leaders who can carry complex work with steadiness and sustainability.
Corinna holds a Master of Public Health in Healthcare Administration and an Executive Leadership Coaching Certificate from Georgetown University.
Conversation Highlights 🎙️
- Redefining Courage as Discomfort — Corinna shares how courage, for her, means sitting in uncertainty and discomfort long enough to find clarity and growth.
- Taking the Leap Without a Plan — She reflects on leaving her full-time role to pursue consulting, embracing uncertainty as part of aligning with who she is becoming.
- Finding Her Voice Through Stillness — A silent meditation experience led to a deeply personal story and poem that she later shared on stage, marking a pivotal moment of self-discovery.
- From Service to Self-Awareness — Moving from “service before self” to self-reflection, Corinna explores how leadership begins with understanding and accepting yourself.
- Leading with Curiosity, Not Control — She describes the shift from solving problems to co-creating with others, emphasizing curiosity, empathy, and presence in leadership.
“I think being able to sit in uncomfortability for a long time is where courage starts.” — Corinna Kelley, MPH
Stay in Touch 🔗
With Corinna Kelley, MPH
LinkedIn ↗: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinna-kelley-mph-452172a9/
Email ↗: corinnakelley@creidconsultingllc.com
TikTok ↗: https://www.tiktok.com/@corinnacreateschange
Facebook ↗: https://www.facebook.com/CorinnaNKelley
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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