Dr. Tosha Ellis, PhD, LCSW, BCD, CMIP, NBC-HWC
Dr. Tosha Ellis, PhD, LCSW, BCD, CMIP, NBC-HWC, is a seasoned clinical leader and public health professional with extensive experience in behavioral health, community health promotion, and health care systems consultation. She brings a strong equity-focused perspective to her work, utilizing culturally informed mindfulness practices, community well-being frameworks, and socially driven health promotion strategies. Throughout her career, she has engaged across public, private, non-profit, and government sectors, applying a biopsychosocial-cultural approach to support health and wellness initiatives at individual and system levels. Currently, Dr. Ellis serves as Vice President of the American Board of Clinical Social Work and as a Health System Specialist with the VHA. She also served in the Air Force. As an alum of the President's Management Council Interagency Fellowship, she has experience in federal healthcare and has led initiatives that integrate whole person health across organizations. Her clinical and leadership expertise extends to public health policy, operational management, and strategic consultation, supporting both individual well-being and organizational effectiveness. In addition to her professional roles, Dr. Ellis is deeply committed to community engagement and volunteerism. She serves on the board of the American Board of Clinical Social Work, supports local faith communities, and mentors Girl Scouts in the Atlanta metropolitan. Dr. Ellis is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and engages with Women Groups to promote lifestyle wellness. Her work reflects a dedication to fostering inclusive, effective, and compassionate care, advancing the fields of social work, public health, and wellness leadership.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work
• National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach
• Certified Mindfulness Professional
• Chapman University, Clark Atlanta University, Walden University
• Sigma Alpha Pi, National Honor Society of Leadership and Success
• Phi Alpha, National Honor Society for Social Work
• American Board of Clinical Social Work
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• American Public Health Association
• American Board of Clinical Social Work
• Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to kingdom living, placing faith above all. I've also had different types of mentors to gain from varied perspectives. They challenged me and I sought growth opportunities that stretched my worldview. Having a long-standing commitment to advance mental health and wellness has also enhanced my success. Since the time of my former years in the Air Force -- ensuring mission readiness health for airmen to entering the Social Work profession and leading a behavioral health program, I've expanded my frame of reference in helping individuals, families and communities to prioritize their well-being. Earning my PhD in Public Health in 2016 deepened my knowledge and passion in serving vulnerable communities. I take pride in supporting everyone I work with to understand the importance of taking care of themselves through health literacy and prevention.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to lead through influence—focusing on inspiring and guiding others rather than relying on authority. From my experience, I find that influence is a mindset and if embodied can lead to positive gains. It also exemplifies values and standards. Influence does not require a title, and it can be honed over time.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I've had the opportunity to mentor young women and encourage them to be their authentic selves. There's only one You and that individual is uniquely made to fulfill a purpose. Living your truth and through intrinsic values culminates into your best life lived. I also advise them to create balance and place themselves on their agenda. Practicing self-care and preserving well-being are crucial. It may not be a spa day but simply taking time for solitude or exploring a nontraditional opportunity. My desire for solitude led me to Bali, Indonesia in 2025. I found the experience to be spiritual, culturally enriching and free flowing in that my itinerary was open each day to decide what to seek out. I appreciated living in the moment from exploring jungles and visiting palaces to traveling into the city of Ubud for a day. I also met interesting people and developed connections that are maintained from a distance.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
An opportunity that I've identified in the health and wellness field is reaching vulnerable individuals and groups. Psychosocial and environmental barriers often prevent many from accessing services. My aim is to expand my purview and reach more to ensure that they have the health literacy, services and tools to thrive personally and professionally. Healthy living goals come in different forms and wellness is being in a state of good health. It's an indicator as to whether we're living our best lives. What looks like wellness for an individual could show up differently for another. In my experience as a mental health and wellness practitioner, I've come to know that wellness dimensions such as physical health and emotional are often at the forefront. Whereas dimensions such as intellectual, spiritual, and occupational are not as prominent in discussions. Health is holistic and more than the absence of disease. Other qualities that comprise quality of life are self-determined happiness, success that culminates from achieving a worthy goal and sustaining authentic relationships with reciprocity. I've observed these to be a game changer in human thriving.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are authenticity, humility, spirituality and life-long learning. In my work and personal life, I'm consciously centered around these values. Mindful living in the present moment while being connected to my spiritual source guides the journey. Filling my daily cup with high quality ingredients such as prayer, movement, whole foods and meaningful relationships provides the sustenance for these values. Spirituality requires introspection and identifying the source that your wonderfully made being draws from. Life-long learning involves the intellectual and that too is an important dimension of wellness. The platforms from which to learn are plentiful during these times and knowing what stimulates you is an excellent start for focus in that trajectory.