Member blog: Shannon Katiyo

Since 2020, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Director of Public Health (DPH) across the two vibrant and contrasting London Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. My journey into public health was driven by a desire to influence the broader determinants of health and lead systems that improve outcomes at a population level. It’s a career that has delivered on that promise. No two days are ever the same, and the breadth of issues we tackle continues to evolve.

My interest in public health began with a degree in applied biology and biochemistry. While this gave me a solid foundation in physical health, I soon realised I wanted to move beyond the lab; to communicate, collaborate, and work with communities. During the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, I worked with a global development agency, supporting health improvement and protection. That experience inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and later, the Faculty of Public Health Part A exam, which led me into specialty training.

My path to becoming a public health specialist has taken me through the voluntary sector, the NHS, and several local authorities both within and outside London. A pivotal moment came during an extended placement in health protection with the former Public Health England, which was an experience that proved invaluable during the Covid-19 pandemic. It deepened my understanding of infectious disease management and helped forge lasting professional relationships.

Being a DPH is both demanding and deeply rewarding. It requires balancing multiple stakeholder demands, mastering complex subject matter, and influencing across systems, all while managing people and resources. The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) captures the essence of the role beautifully in their article “What is a Director of Public Health?”, a description I continue to aspire to.

I’m especially grateful for the support of the national and regional ADPH networks, which have provided mentorship, peer connections, and invaluable guidance. Recently, I’ve taken on regional leadership roles in Dementia and Health Resilience, and I now mentor other public health specialists, giving back to the system that has supported me.

One of my proudest achievements has been leading a dedicated team to embed a Health in All Policies approach across two Councils. Our Prevention Framework systematically addresses prevention and health inequalities in Richmond and Wandsworth, ensuring that public health is a shared responsibility across the system.

We’ve also co-produced Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategies tailored for Richmond and Wandsworth with partners from other local authorities, the NHS, and the voluntary and community sector. These strategies are not just documents, they are living commitments to joint action and shared outcomes.

The most rewarding moments in public health come when we see the impact of our work, when services improve lives, when partnerships flourish, and when prevention and equity become everyone’s priority. System leadership is about making those connections, championing change, and ensuring that every part of the system contributes to better health for all.