Zainab Shipchandler, MPH, MCHES, CLC is not afraid of uncertainty—in fact, she embraces it. In this episode, we talk about her bold pivot from lactation equity work to the world of artificial intelligence, and how her public health training informs both. Zainab shares what it means to lead from values like curiosity, compassion, and humility—and to navigate systems that weren't built for her with intention and care. From fighting for birthing people's rights to questioning dominant knowledge structures, Zainab models what it means to bring audacity, not certainty, into courageous public health leadership.

Meet Zainab Shipchandler, MPH, MCHES, CLC

Zainab Shipchandler, MPH, MCHES, CLC, is a health educator, public health consultant, and maternal and child health advocate. She is passionate about equipping people with the knowledge and skills to navigate health information and services in the age of AI.

As Director and Health Education Consultant at ZRF Group, she brings her background as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist to a multidisciplinary team of experts in AI and medicine. She collaborates with clients nationwide to build professional and community capacity in AI + health literacy through workshops, speaking, and curriculum development.

Zainab is especially dedicated to supporting families during the perinatal period. She recently became a Certified Lactation Counselor to guide parents through their infant feeding journeys. Her lived experience as a patient, mother of young children, and trusted resource in her community informs and inspires her work.

Listen To This Episode of The Courageous Public Health Podcast

Conversation Highlights

• From Community to Code — Zainab shares her transition from grassroots work in maternal health to exploring the potential of AI—not as a departure, but as a way to deepen her commitment to equity and care.
• Courage to Stay Curious — She describes how giving herself permission to "not know" opened the door to interdisciplinary innovation and allowed her to reimagine public health beyond traditional boundaries.
• Centering Maternal Wisdom — Grounding her work in the lived experiences of birthing people, she advocates for maternal voices to shape the design and use of technology in health care systems.
• Disrupting False Binaries — Zainab challenges the separation of tech and compassion, insisting that data systems can and must be built with humanity, dignity, and justice at their core.
• Vision for the Future — She calls for bold experimentation, creative courage, and structural change in public health—centering those most affected as co-creators of solutions.

"There is such courage in not knowing. In saying: I don't have the answer, but I'm willing to ask, to listen, to learn." — Zainab Shipchandler, MPH, MCHES, CLC

Stay In Touch:

Zainab Shipchandler, MPH, MCHES on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/zainabship

ZRF Group on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/zrfgroupinc

ZRF Website - www.zrfgroup.com

ZRF Group on Instagram - www.instagram.com/zrfgroupinc

Email Dr. Kristi McClamroch - [email protected]

Dr. Kristi McClamroch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch/

www.CourageousPublicHealth.com

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At Courageous Public Health, we are turning up the volume on courage within women who are doing the work of public health. We support public health organizations through workshop design and facilitation, and speaking engagements. Interested in working with us? Reach out on email, LinkedIn, or our website!