Junelle Berry, MBA
Junelle Berry, MBA, is a Social Work Supervisor in the Maternal and Child Health Division at Harris County Public Health, where she leads a dedicated team that ensures timely case management, processes new referrals, and coordinates wraparound services for clients in crisis. With a strong focus on advocacy, policy, and compliance, Junelle applies a results-driven approach to supporting vulnerable populations and advancing outcomes for marginalized communities throughout Harris County.
Her leadership blends operational oversight with hands-on engagement in direct service, ensuring that both her team and the families they serve are supported with integrity and professionalism. Guided by core values of integrity, consistency, and respect, Junelle practices service-driven leadership and community advocacy—particularly in addressing disparities impacting marginalized communities. She is known for her compassionate, trauma-informed, and solutions-focused approach, delivering education and training that empowers individuals while strengthening systems that serve families and underserved communities.
With 19 years of experience in social and public service, Junelle has held roles across multiple Texas state agencies, including the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Health and Human Services, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and the Texas Department of Agriculture. Her background in compliance, policy, training, and case management gives her a deep understanding of both systemic operations and frontline service delivery. This experience, coupled with her leadership at Harris County Public Health, reflects her ongoing commitment to advocacy, equity, and meaningful reform in maternal and child health.
• University of Houston-Downtown - MBA
• University of Houston-Downtown - BS
• Houston City College - AAS
• Recipent of Changemaker Award from The National Coalition of 100 Black Women- Houston Metropolitan Chapter
• The National Coaltion of 100 Black Women- Houston Metropolitan Chapter Chartering President
• The National Coalition of 100 Black Women- Co-Chair Rituals
• The National Coalition of 100 Black Women- Protocol Committee
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong family foundation and the perseverance of my parents, which instilled in me the value of hard work and determination. Despite obstacles, I remained committed to education, embracing what I often call the “School of Hard Knocks,” and learned the importance of integrity, accountability, and resilience along the way. My passion for advocacy and serving underserved communities has guided my professional journey, and I am driven by a desire to set a meaningful example for my children and grandchildren.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to remain steadfast in my character and rooted in my purpose. When you lead from the heart with passion, integrity, and authenticity, doors open, lives are impacted, and success in all its meaningful forms flows naturally.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be unwavering in who you are. Do not let anyone shape or dilute your character to fit their expectations. Walk boldly in your purpose, lead with your passion, and trust that when you do, the opportunities and rewards will naturally align with your path.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my field, the challenges are both heavy and deeply personal. Chronic funding shortages that disproportionately affect marginalized communities continue to strain families and the systems meant to support them, particularly in maternal and child health and domestic violence services. Limited shelter beds and resources for domestic violence survivors, alongside alarmingly high maternal and infant mortality rates in Harris County, place immense pressure on families and providers alike. These realities are further complicated by the painful intersections of domestic violence, substance use, and housing insecurity, which create layered barriers for the very communities we are committed to serving.
Yet, within these challenges lies a powerful opportunity. There is growing demand for bold advocacy and public health leadership, steady job stability driven by urgent community needs, and the chance to build meaningful coalitions centered on Black maternal health equity. Most importantly, this work offers the ability to shape policy, uplift community voices, and drive reforms that can transform lives and leave a lasting impact for generations to come.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
At my core, I am guided by integrity, accountability, and responsibility in everything I do, both professionally and personally. I truly believe in treating people the way I would want to be treated, with kindness, respect, and compassion. I lead with a service-driven heart because helping others is just who I am. I am deeply committed to advocacy and to standing up for what is right. I am especially passionate about promoting equity and uplifting Black women and families, and I make it a priority to live out these values in my work, my leadership, and my everyday life.