The Public Health Consultant

Reinventing public health careers through entrepreneurship. Public health has long been associated with government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Yet a growing number of professionals are forging new paths-launching businesses, consulting across sectors, and designing ventures that align market strategy with population health goals. In The Public Health Consultant, Charlotte Hughes Huntley offers a practical and motivating guide for professionals who want to build or expand entrepreneurial careers grounded in public health principles. Drawing on her own experience as an entrepreneur and other examples from the field, Huntley examines how public health training translates into business development, strategic partnerships, marketing, and innovation. The book addresses a shifting landscape in which traditional roles can feel unstable and interdisciplinary collaboration has become essential. As MPH/MBA programs expand and private-sector interest in public health expertise grows, professionals are seeking guidance on how to navigate contracts, pricing, branding, client relationships, and ethical decision-making while maintaining a commitment to equity and evidence-based practice. Huntley outlines concrete steps for clarifying one's vision, identifying opportunities, building sustainable business models, and positioning services in a competitive environment. She also considers the mindset shift required to move from employee to founder, helping readers reframe risk, ownership, and impact. Designed for public health professionals, students in MPH/MBA programs, and practitioners exploring independent or cross-sector work, The Public Health Consultant expands the definition of what a public health career can be-and equips readers to design one on their own terms.