Areas of Expertise

• Food Security

• Public Health Program Management

• Stakeholder Engagement

Food Story

Food has always been a central part of how Shy experiences connection, especially within her family, where meals represent culture, care, and togetherness. In her teen years, she began to understand that food was not just about tradition, but also about health, as she saw the ways dietary patterns influence chronic disease outcomes in communities like her own. That realization sparked Shy’s interest in public health and shaped her career path. This work is deeply personal because it reflects both her lived experience and her professional purpose—it is a commitment to ensuring that all communities have the resources and knowledge to thrive. Through her journey, Shy will continue to honor the connection between food, culture, and health while contributing to initiatives that educate communities on nutrition and food security.

Academic History

M.P.H., Tulane University, 2016

• Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences & Health Policy and Management

• Specialization:  Community Health and Program Management

B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University, 2013

• Public Health

• Specialization: Community Health