In a vital field like public health, the work of leaders like Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence shines as a beacon for future generations.
Dr. Lawrence recently served as a keynote speaker for the American Public Health Association's Women’s Leadership Institute. She delivered an inspiring address centered on mentorship, self-discovery, and the power of every experience along her journey in public health.
In this article, Dr. Lawrence opens up about her career, values, and leadership philosophy.
Success built on a foundation of character and resilience
Being invited as a keynote speaker was a profoundly humbling experience for Dr. Lawrence.
“I’m honored that people would think of me, out of all the speakers in the world, to bring to their organization,” she shared.
For her, the American Public Health Association (APHA) invitation—a highly respected organization dedicated to improving public health on a global scale—was both an honor and a responsibility.
She views each speaking engagement as an opportunity to connect, inspire, and empower others to pursue their journeys with purpose and clarity. At the Women's Leadership Institute, Dr. Lawrence addressed the audience with a talk themed around superheroes designed to make the event engaging and memorable. With a focus on mentorship, she connected her “origin story” with the women's journeys in attendance, encouraging them to think about their strengths and superpowers.
“I wanted them to see themselves not from a deficit perspective but as individuals with limitless potential,” she explained.
Dr. Lawrence shared that many people seek step-by-step advice on how to find mentors, but she challenged the audience first to consider “Who do you need to be?” rather than focusing on “What do you need to do?” She reminded the audience that true success is built on a foundation of character and resilience, using a metaphor from the movie “Karate Kid”: “Before you can learn the fancy moves, you need to wax on, wax off.”
One of Dr. Lawrence’s critical messages at the event was about the importance of character and self-awareness. She noted, “If the light within you isn’t stronger than the light shining on you, then the fire of success will burn you.”
For Dr. Lawrence, inner strength and personal growth are foundational to effective leadership, especially in public health, where leaders address complex, systemic issues that affect entire communities.
To guide the audience on their journeys, Dr. Lawrence shared practical steps for mentorship, which she called her “Superhero Network Growth Protocols.” This framework includes strategies for finding and connecting with mentors and encourages individuals to think strategically about the type of guidance they need at each career stage.
By breaking down long-term goals into manageable steps, she provides a roadmap that helps future leaders clarify their purpose and identify the skills they need to develop. Dr. Lawrence emphasized that mentorship needs to be adapted to each stage of life and career. “When you are older and have gone through life a bit, you don’t need the same type of mentor as when you were younger,” she explained. This advice resonated with many in attendance, especially those who felt uncertain about how to build the right support network.
Inspiring and empowering women
Reflecting on the most rewarding part of her experience at the Women’s Leadership Institute, Dr. Lawrence shared that the personal feedback from attendees moved her the most.
"When people come up to you and say, 'This is exactly what I needed,' or ‘I finally understand what I’ve been missing in mentoring,’ it shows that the message resonated,” she said. Her goal, she explained, is never to impress but to make a lasting impact that empowers people to take action.
For Dr. Lawrence, this is what defines successful public speaking. “We don’t want to stand before people just to impress them. We want to have an impact on them,” she emphasized. In her view, the purpose of a speech is fulfilled when someone leaves feeling inspired and ready to make changes in their own life or career.
Dr. Lawrence’s approach to her work and keynote address aligns closely with the mission of the APHA, which is centered on health equity and creating the conditions needed for everyone to thrive. “This is what draws me to public health,” she shared, adding that she desired to create opportunities for others to reach their potential, which inspired her career path.
Dr. Lawrence also spoke passionately about women's leadership roles and the unique strengths they bring to public health. “When women lead, the world changes,” she asserted. She believes strongly in empowering women to embrace leadership roles, especially in public health, where they can address issues affecting entire populations. “For too long, women haven’t always been empowered to lead,” she noted.
By sharing her insights and experiences, Dr. Lawrence hopes to support other women in realizing their potential to create meaningful change in the world.
Every role is an opportunity for growth
Personal and professional experiences shaped Dr. Lawrence’s path to public health, and she encouraged young women to see every role as an opportunity for growth. Reflecting on her career, she shared an anecdote about one of her earliest jobs as a “skater” at Walmart, where she would roller-skate around the store to perform price checks.
“If I had told people back then that I wanted to grow up to be a Walmart skater, they would’ve laughed. But every job teaches us something valuable,” she reflected.
Even seemingly unrelated experiences can build skills and resilience essential for future leadership. Dr. Lawrence’s journey into public health began when she was a student at Georgia Southern University, where she is a triple Eagle and originally aspired to be a physician. However, an internship shifted her perspective, leading her to explore public health, where she could focus on preventive care and population-level health.
Growing up with sickle cell disease, Dr. Lawrence became acutely aware of the challenges within the healthcare system. Her condition fueled her passion for public health, inspiring her to research community health and advocate for those navigating complex medical needs. “It gives me a unique perspective and a passion that you can’t read in books,” she shared.
As the conversation concluded, Dr. Lawrence offered advice to emerging leaders in public health.
Her message was clear: “Use every experience. Even the ones that seem insignificant can prepare you for greater responsibilities down the road.”
Learn, embrace, thrive
For her, success is not about titles or accolades but about becoming the best version of oneself—someone capable of making a difference. She encouraged aspiring leaders to learn from each moment, embrace challenges, and strive to grow.
In addition to her ongoing work as a professor, Dr. Lawrence is active on social media, connecting with those interested in public health and leadership. She will soon speak at the Rare Disease Summit in Boston, furthering her advocacy for equity and support in healthcare for all.
She encourages those interested in following her journey and learning from her insights to connect on Instagram or LinkedIn. Her message to aspiring leaders is resilience, character, and vision.
She aptly says, “When you focus on who you need to be, everything else falls into place.”
You can follow Dr. Raymona Lawrence on Instagram and LinkedIn at handle @drraymonahlawrence and her website at drraymonahlawrence.com.
