Cindy Watts on the 2003-2004 NWPHLI

In November 2009, Candace Tkachuck interviewed the two past directors of the Northwest Public Health Leadership Institute.

Cindy Watts, Director of NWPHLI for the 2003-04 cohort

How did the NWPHLI begin?

There were a number of people who had been to the National Public Health Leadership Institute at the University of North Carolina who wanted to start something in the Pacific Northwest. This then caused many conversations about where the Leadership Institute should be based. Jack Thompson finally said “We will do it at the NWCPHP.”

How did you become the director?

Jack asked me to be the director, and I said yes. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I worked with partner states to make sure their interests were represented. I loved interacting with all the students.

What were some of the highlights for you?

We had one assignment that asked the scholars to send a picture that represented their view of leadership. I kept one in my office for awhile. It was a picture of a streambed full of rocks.

I remember that budgets were being cut and someone in the cohort lost their job. The group rallied around this person. The scholars were serious and playful and diverse. It was just a wonderful experience.