Career reflections after 43 years in the workforce, with Pegeen Walsh

In this episode, Sujani sits down with Pegeen Walsh, the former Executive Director for the Ontario Public Health Association. They discuss her 43 year long career, her accomplishments in the public health field, and how to take initiative and seize opportunities in your professional journey.You’ll LearnPegeen’s path from her political science degree to her roles in government and nonprofit organizationsThe various public health projects Pegeen has been involved inWhat tools are available to find your talents to guide your careerThe importance of having diverse perspectives in furthering public health Advice for new professionals on taking initiative in their workWhat Pegeen would have done differently in her career pathHow Pegeen is involved in public health even in her retirementToday’s GuestPegeen Walsh recently retired as the Executive Director for the Ontario Public Health Association where she oversaw advocacy efforts in public health, training, capacity building and knowledge transfer and exchange initiatives within the province and beyond. Prior to OPHA, Pegeen led the design and delivery of a wide range of programs, policies, partnerships, and research that supported individual and community health and well-being as an executive with the federal, provincial and non-profit sectors. As Ontario Regional Director with Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, she oversaw various health promotion initiatives focussed on seniors, early child development, healthy eating, tobacco control, healthy communities, injury prevention and more. As Director of Public Policy at YMCA Canada, she developed government relations training and strategies. She now serves as an active OPHA volunteer supporting various initiatives including a bridging program for international medical graduates and some public health consulting projects.ResourcesConnect with Pegeen on LinkedInLearn about the Parliamentary Internship ProgrammeLearn about One Smart WorldBuy Promoting the Health of Older AdultsLearn about The Learning Enrichment FoundationLearn about the Public Health Ontario OrganizationOther PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes come out, and receive hand-picked public health opportunities every week by joining the PH SPOT community.Contribute to the public health career blog: www.phspot.ca/contributeUpcoming course on infographics: Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: the #1 hangout spot and community dedicated to building and growing your dream public health career.

Om Podcasten

Sujani Sivanantharajah from PHSPOT.org sits down with public health heroes of our time to share career stories, inspiration, and guidance for building public health careers. From time to time, she also has conversations with friends of public health - individuals who are not public health professionals, but their advice and guidance are equally important. The emotions, energy, and passion that comes from these stories act as a reminder that this space we’ve created for the public health community is a space that you can lean on as you navigate your career. We believe that to build a successful career in public health does not mean that it has to live up to a certain level of standard set out by somebody else...or that we need to burn ourselves out in the process. We believe that you can craft a career perfect for you, and your unique life. The message we hope to get across through these conversations is that building a career is not only about climbing up the ranks, but about crafting a life that you want, around your unique needs, and one that gives importance to your mental health, wellbeing, and building relationships and friendships: you can only do good in the world if you take care of yourself. Through PH SPOTlight, you will connect with peers you have never met before, and build relationships in a deep and meaningful way. What you will hear the most, from every single person is also passion. Passion to do good. Passion to advance human health and the human race. And a passion to share back with the public health community.