Susan Garrett advances community health through mission-driven consulting in Kansas City

Susan Garrett is using more than 22 years of public health and nonprofit leadership to help Kansas City organizations design and measure programs that make a real impact. Her work through Raíces Impact Strategies, plus her board and volunteer roles, reflects a steady focus on health equity and community engagement.

Why it matters: - Susan Garrett’s work sits at the intersection of public health, nonprofit strategy, and community impact in Kansas City. - Her bilingual, bicultural approach helps mission-driven organizations reach Latino communities and strengthen program outcomes. - Her consulting, teaching, board service, and volunteer work all support health equity and community engagement.

What happened: - Susan Garrett is the owner and principal of Raíces Impact Strategies. - Garrett brings more than 22 years of experience in public health leadership and nonprofit consulting. - Raíces Impact Strategies works with mission-driven organizations to design, implement, and evaluate programs. - Garrett’s specialties include project management, program development, and program evaluation. - Garrett is fluent in English and Spanish. - Garrett has focused on engaging Latino communities across the Kansas City region. - Garrett earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Kansas Medical Center.

The details: - Garrett has built expertise in program development, project management, community-led research, and organizational strategy. - Before consulting full time, Garrett taught in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. - Garrett taught public health, diversity, global health, and Spanish for healthcare professionals. - Garrett also held leadership roles overseeing national public health initiatives, operational strategy, and community-based health programs. - Garrett has become a trusted advisor to nonprofit and public health organizations. - Garrett says relationship-building, service, collaboration, and authenticity have shaped her success. - Garrett advises young women in public health and nonprofit consulting not to let imposter syndrome hold them back. - Garrett says confidence grows through experience and encourages women to pursue opportunities without fear. - Garrett values family, friendship, and follow-through. - Garrett’s professional philosophy is to put the mission first and leave ego aside. - Garrett serves on the boards of Flourish and Samuel U. Rogers Health Center. - Garrett volunteers with Heart to Heart International, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the UMKC Avanzando Program, and the Coalition of Hispanic Women Against Cancer.

Between the lines: - Garrett’s profile shows how public health expertise can translate into broader nonprofit and community strategy work. - Her bilingual background gives her an added advantage in a region where language access and cultural understanding can affect health outreach. - Her mix of consulting, teaching, governance, and volunteer service signals a long-term commitment rather than a single-role career path.

What's next: - Garrett will continue using Raíces Impact Strategies to help organizations turn mission goals into measurable results. - Her ongoing board and volunteer commitments suggest she will remain active in Kansas City’s health equity ecosystem. - More information is available through her Influential Women profile.

The bottom line: - Susan Garrett is positioning public health leadership as practical, community-centered work that helps Kansas City organizations deliver stronger outcomes.