Gardian of the Month: Kortni Garcia

Our Gardian of the Month is Kortni Garcia, Public Health Planning Coordinator for District Health Department #10.

EG: What’s one professional development goal you’ve set for yourself for 2025? 

KG: One professional development goal I’ve set for 2025 is to be more intentional in group discussions and meetings. I want to ensure that not only do I leave each conversation feeling productive and having gained valuable insights, but that others also feel their time was well spent. My goal is to foster an environment where everyone walks away having learned something new or gained useful information, and where the meeting's purpose leads to tangible, productive outcomes. To accomplish this, I plan to leverage the skills I developed in past facilitation trainings, such as the TOPS training, to improve my ability to guide discussions, encourage participation, and create clear, actionable takeaways for all involved.

EG: Who are the people in your life that have served as mentors and what have they taught you?

KG: I’ve been fortunate to have several people serve as mentors throughout my life, both personally and professionally. One of the most influential mentors in my career has been Quran Griffin, a colleague with whom I’ve worked on many projects. She has taught me the importance of thorough preparation and strategic planning when it comes to projects and events. Thanks to Quran, I’ve gained more confidence in my abilities as both a public health professional and a leader. Another key mentor has been Katie Jourdan, a former colleague who taught me invaluable facilitation skills and provided me with a wealth of resources to support my growth. Lastly, I’d like to recognize my mentee, Grace Patzer, who has played a pivotal role in my own development as a mentor. Through our work together, Grace taught me the significance of clear communication and the value of sharing my knowledge in ways that not only helped her grow in her career but also helped me refine my mentoring approach.

EG: What is a challenge you have encountered applying new skills to your work and how did you overcome it?

KG: A challenge I encountered when applying new skills to my work was related to facilitation and leading group discussions, something I’ve been focusing on developing through recent training, such as the TOPS training. When I first began applying these skills, I struggled with balancing the need for structure with allowing for organic conversation. In the past, I was used to leading meetings where I followed a strict agenda, but I found that this approach didn’t always leave room for deeper discussion or creative problem-solving.

To overcome this challenge, I focused on being more intentional about planning flexible meeting structures. I incorporated tools from my facilitation training, like using open-ended questions and strategically managing time to allow space for discussion while still keeping the meeting on track. I also sought feedback from colleagues and mentors, which helped me fine-tune my approach and boost my confidence. Over time, I found that the meetings became more engaging and productive, with participants feeling that their input was valued, and the discussions were more meaningful.

EG:  If you could have dinner with anyone, real or fictional, who would it be and what would you ask them?

KG: If I could have dinner with anyone, real or fictional, I would choose Jodi Picoult. As a writer, she has an extraordinary ability to tackle sensitive, often controversial topics with nuance and empathy, which I greatly admire. Her books explore the complexities of human nature, morality, and difficult decisions, and I’ve always found her ability to weave multiple perspectives into a single story truly compelling.

At dinner, I would love to ask Jodi about her process for writing about such emotionally charged subjects—how she balances research with her creative storytelling, and how she ensures that she portrays the perspectives of her characters with authenticity and respect. I’d also ask how she handles the emotional toll of writing such heavy subjects and what keeps her motivated to continue exploring difficult themes. Additionally, I’d be curious to know how she navigates the ethical challenges that arise when writing about real-world issues, especially when they involve marginalized communities or sensitive topics like medical ethics, justice, and family dynamics.

EG: What is a resource that has been valuable to you in your work, and what makes you appreciate it?

Click the video below to see Kortni's response!