A story of a young participant, her journey, and the fresh perspectives she brings

Amy Lei is a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill studying neuroscience and business on the pre-med track. While she is considering a future in emergency medicine, her journey has already been shaped by four years of involvement in public health, mental health, and substance use prevention through youth groups, internships, competitions, and the North Carolina Department of Public Health Youth Health Advisors. Those experiences ultimately led her to engagement with AMCHP—and a growing passion for maternal and child health (MCH).

Like many young leaders, Amy did not initially set out to work in MCH. At the CADCA National Leadership Forum in 2023, MCH found her. She attended a session led by a mother who had lost her child to a drug overdose and transformed her grief into prevention work for other families. Amy shared: “Hearing her speak made me realize I had overlooked an entire population. One that is both deeply vulnerable and deeply interconnected, which motivated me to take note of what I could learn more and eventually contribute to solving.”

For Amy, this year’s conference theme, “Power of Connection,” is more than a phrase—it reflects the very experiences that shaped her path. She stated: “To me, the power of connection is the understanding that a single conversation can open doors you didn’t know existed.”  Some of her most meaningful learning moments have come from unexpected exchanges—such as dialogue between a fifth grader and a retired policymaker. In MCH spaces, where she is still learning and growing, connection is her greatest tool. It builds knowledge, sharpens leadership skills, and reveals opportunities that are often hiding in plain sight—waiting for someone willing to ask a question and take a risk.

Amy began high school as a self-described introvert, but mentorship and experience gradually brought her out of her shell. Through the NC Youth Health Advisors, she learned the value of inclusive, relationship-centered leadership. As she stepped into leadership roles, she discovered that consistency, accountability, and care are what set strong teams apart. Her leadership style continues to grow, shaped by mentors and peers who challenge her to be more assertive and courageous. Sharing, “Every mentor and friend I encounter teaches me something new, whether it’s the value of being more assertive, more principled, or simply being brave to try something and see what happens.”

She believes young people bring an essential strength to MCH work: youth experience. Too often, adults speak for youth rather than listening to them. Amy witnessed this firsthand in her own high school when a wellness program was implemented without meaningful student engagement or evaluation. Administrators believed the issue had been addressed, yet students remained disengaged—and stigma may have worsened. That experience solidified her belief that “when young people have a real seat at the table, problems get named more accurately, and solutions are more likely to stick as action is taken.” When young people help shape change, they are motivated to sustain it.

Stories like Amy’s reflect a broader truth about the next generation of MCH leaders. Their journeys are shaped by mentorship, personal narrative, and authentic engagement. They bring fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and invite innovation. They ask different questions. They connect dots across generations. And they remind us that connection is not simply networking—it is listening deeply, valuing personal experiences, and making space at decision-making tables for those most impacted.

Looking ahead, Amy hopes to remain engaged in MCH through continued involvement with AMCHP—potentially helping to plan initiatives like Youth Day—while pursuing her academic and professional goals. Eager to stay connected to her community and current issues, she is committed to contributing her perspective while continuing to learn from those around her.

Outside of her academic and advocacy work, Amy enjoys coffee, sketching, pick-up basketball, photography, traveling, and what she calls “side quests”—small adventures that reflect her curiosity and openness to new experiences.

As we gather under the theme “Power of Connection,” young leaders like Amy remind us that the future of maternal and child health is already taking shape. The next generation is not waiting to be invited in—they are already contributing, learning, and leading. When we invest in authentic connection with young people, we strengthen not only their journeys but the entire MCH field.