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. 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, coordinated regional healthcare initiatives, supported disaster response efforts, and helped organizations prepare for complex public health challenges, including floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 for public affairs with the American Legion, while also providing pro bono consulting support for nonprofit initiatives such as a startup hospice organization. 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 to God. I came from poverty with a loving mother but difficult family circumstances including a stepfather who didn't pay taxes. I worked very hard in school, earned scholarships but couldn't attend due to lack of income proof, moved out at 18, paid my way through community college working three jobs, joined the Army which became my opportunity of a lifetime to break the cycle. I was persistent, a straight-A student, and realized I'm a doer who loves helping people. The military changed me from being very shy to a leader.
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.