Craig Barnes

Age: 31
Division Manager
Shawnee County Health Department

Craig Barnes is responsible for program coordination and management of community outreach, health promotion, public health emergency preparedness, and epidemiology programs. Advocating for change in health for current and future generations, Craig works to integrate policy, system and environmental interventions through mobilization of strategic partners and community members.

Craig is the current chair for Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods, the NE Kansas regional board representative for Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition and a member of the Topeka Optimist Club. Mentoring youth at the Lowman Hill student mentorship program, he can see the future is bright for Topeka.

“Ensure team members understand that your goal as
a leader is to help them align their personal and professional
goals to the benefit of the team and organization.”

What was your first job?
I started my first job at 14 years old working for a water gardening and waterscaping business. I worked for the same company every summer for eight years through high school and college. Spending summer days climbing in and out of ponds and bogs to move dirt and rocks, taught me that sometimes it takes a lot of muck and grime to get to the finished product. When you put in the hard work, the end results are often quite amazing and beautiful.

Best advice you have received?
Maintain the passion for what you do, but make sure not to overwhelm and exhaust yourself. It is important to recognize that even if you are doing what you love, it is still hard work, so make sure you take the time to enjoy all other aspects of your life.