I had the wonderful opportunity to represent my organization as a sponsor and exhibitor at the 2026 Michigan Public Health Association Summit. While there, we heard from Dr. Nandi Marshall, President of the American Public Health Association. She was a dynamic and inspiring speaker.
She’s also a highly skilled health educator who teaches people how to make public health information accessible. Even though she was speaking to a room full of professionals, I watched her model this beautifully. Part of accessible communication is building relational knowledge, trust, and approachability.
She did this so well with a slide titled, “Who Curated My Lens?” It included photos of family members, and she talked about the impact each of them had on her life. They have greatly influenced the way she approaches her work.
That simple question framed the rest of her presentation, and I greatly enjoyed connecting with her afterward.
So now I’m wondering:
Who curated your lens?
Who has shaped the way you see the world? The way you do the work you do?
—Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 