Her Story
About Christal
Christal Garcia is an experienced public health professional serving as the Infant and Child Wellbeing Coordinator at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. With 26 years of experience in state government and public health, she focuses on infant safe sleep and the prevention of sudden unexpected infant deaths. In her current role, she collaborates with public health partners, healthcare providers, community organizations, and families to promote safe sleep environments, strengthen postpartum support, and develop culturally responsive prevention strategies that address the needs of Colorado communities.
Throughout her career, Christal has demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Before becoming an Infant and Child Wellbeing Coordinator, she served in community engagement and equity-focused positions, contributing to outreach, case reviews, equity initiatives, and strategic planning. She co-created a racial equity strategic plan designed to promote more equitable service delivery across Colorado and has been involved with the Colorado Child Fatality Prevention System for many years. Her work reflects her dedication to addressing social determinants of health and ensuring that prevention efforts are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to communities of color and underserved populations.
Christal's professional journey is also shaped by her lived experience, cultural background, and commitment to community. As a woman of color, mother, grandmother, and licensed cosmetologist, she brings a broad perspective to her work and is passionate about healing and supporting communities through both public health and personal care. Outside of her public health career, she continues to practice cosmetology and hopes to transition into esthetician work more fully after retirement. Guided by the values of family, community, connection, reciprocity, authenticity, and grace, Christal remains committed to creating meaningful change within government systems and improving health and well-being for families and children.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Christal
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my belief in the power of change—particularly systems change and culture change. I stay focused on understanding my “why” and using that purpose to guide the work I do. Most importantly, I am committed to giving back to my community and serving the people of Colorado, which continues to motivate me to create meaningful and lasting impact.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the public health field is to educate themselves and understand the opportunities available before applying for a position. Bring your authentic self, unique experiences, and perspective to the work, because those qualities can be valuable strengths. Public health offers many different career paths and avenues for growth, so I encourage women to explore those opportunities, build their knowledge and skills, and pursue the areas where they can make the greatest impact.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are family, community, connection, and grace. I believe in staying connected to the people and communities around me and finding meaningful ways to give back. I also believe in extending grace to others, recognizing that everyone has their own experiences and challenges. These values guide both how I approach my work and how I show up in my personal life.
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