Her Story
About Bethaney
Bethaney Conklin is a compassionate and accomplished business consultant, emergency preparedness professional, and retired Medical Service Corps Major with more than two decades of experience spanning healthcare, military leadership, public safety, and community development. Based in the Greater New Orleans Region, she has built a career centered on service, strategic planning, and strengthening organizations through practical solutions. As a self-employed consultant, she supports small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local governments by providing expertise in grant writing, technical writing, operational planning, budgeting, and organizational development. Throughout her career, Bethaney has demonstrated strong leadership in healthcare emergency preparedness and response and healthcare regulatory compliance/administration.. During her 12-year tenure with Genesis Health System as an Emergency Preparedness Planner and Service Area Healthcare Coalition Coordinator, she developed emergency response plans and training packages, coordinated regional healthcare initiatives, supported disaster response efforts, and helped organizations prepare for complex challenges, including natural disasters, cybersecurity threats, pandemics, regulatory compliance, and corporate sustainability during anticipated funding cuts. Her military service with the Iowa Army National Guard, where she retired as a Major in the Medical Service Corps after 20 years, further strengthened her skills in leadership, crisis management, team coordination, and mission-focused planning. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Bethaney is deeply committed to community service and helping others succeed. She actively contributes to veteran and community organizations, including serving on the executive committee as the Public Affairs Officer with the American Legion in her home town, while also providing pro bono consulting support for nonprofit initiatives such as a startup compassionate care facility, assistance food center, and a regional health system.. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Upper Iowa University and continues to apply her experience in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and ethical leadership to create meaningful impact. Guided by values of service, integrity, faith, and perseverance, Bethaney remains dedicated to empowering organizations and communities through knowledge, compassion, and purposeful action.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Bethaney
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to God. Looking back on my journey, I can see His faithfulness through every challenge and every opportunity.
I was raised in poverty by a loving mother while navigating difficult family circumstances. Education became my path forward. I worked hard throughout school, earned scholarships, and dreamed of attending my first-choice college. Unfortunately, I was unable to enroll because I could not provide the required proof of income for financial aid.
At 18 years old, I moved out on my own. I worked three jobs while attending community college and paid my own way until I earned my Associate's degree. Determined to build a better future, I enlisted in the Army National Guard. What began as an opportunity became the experience of a lifetime, allowing me to serve my country, travel the world, and gain perspectives and experiences that many people only dream of. Although those around me were surprised that I chose to make the military my career, it proved to be a natural fit.
Alongside my military service, I remained committed to completing my education. I attended evening classes to earn both my bachelor's and master's degrees while balancing military training, mobilizations, pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment responsibilities. During those same years, I also built a family, raised our beautiful daughter, worked extensive overtime, and continued pursuing my academic goals. None of these responsibilities were easy, and each demanded significant personal, financial, and emotional sacrifice.
Through every season of my life, I remained persistent and focused on serving others. I have always believed in putting people first and leading with compassion, integrity, and purpose. The challenges I faced did not define me; they strengthened my resilience, deepened my faith, and reinforced my commitment to helping others succeed.
Today, I recognize that my accomplishments are not the result of talent alone but of God's grace, unwavering perseverance, and the willingness to continue moving forward despite obstacles. My experiences have taught me that success is not determined by where you begin, but by your faith, determination, and commitment to lifelong growth and service.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be cautious how you handle ethical concerns. If your moral compass is strong, have a way to vent that does not affect your current environment. Have some form of an outlet, whether it is to have your own blog, or your own journal, so you don't lose purpose and can get feedback on ethical issues.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.