Her Story
About Karin
Karin Leimbach is a public health professional with 11 years of experience. She stumbled into the field but has grown to love the work, especially community engagement and partnering with people from various backgrounds. In her role, she works on public health strategies across the lifespan, from early childhood to older adults, traveling the state of Oklahoma to collaborate with partners and create healthier environments where people work, live, and go to school. One of her notable achievements includes strengthening relationships with District County Health Departments by standardizing programs and creating a hub for resources, presentations, and contacts. She holds an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Science from Oklahoma State University and a master's in public health from Grand Canyon University. Leimbach values integrity, respect, and compassion in her work, emphasizing the importance of being present and following through for those she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karin
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I think just enjoying the time. There's always so much going on, there's always so much you could do, so really being present in those interactions, and not letting everything else kind of take up space, but really being present and enjoying the moments that you're in.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think sometimes people think we're too compassionate, and I think compassion is the strength. I think right now, especially in our industry, we lose sight of the people that we're serving, and it becomes numbers, it becomes falling orders and the latest trends, and I think making sure we have our compassion as our strength. To look at everything we're doing, from a viewpoint of a person, the person we're wanting to serve, and you know, we want to impact as many people as possible, but even if we can change one person's life, that's incredible, and to me, that's compassion as well.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, some challenges are the workforce, and just having enough people, and it gives you an opportunity to really see what your bandwidth is, and I think appreciation. You take on more roles and responsibilities, so you learn a few more skill sets, and I think you just appreciate everyone that is part of it. You don't feel like a task is beneath you, because everyone's putting in more effort, and so it's a challenge, but it does bring some really cool professional development, growth opportunities as well.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is a big one. I really want to make sure that when people come to me, they're coming because they know I'm gonna follow through, so I would say integrity and respect are huge, as well as family. I love my job so much, but I also love my family, and getting to spend time with them, and providing a little bit of space. You know, when the workday's over, when the weekends come around, really putting time and energy into faith and family.
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