Susan Vileta: ‘Lead from where you are’

Susan Vileta has worked in public health for nearly two decades. Raised in Iowa, her career has revolved around public outreach, policy advocacy, and efforts to increase access to health resources in her community.

She attended the University of Iowa to study secondary education but transitioned to a career in public health 17 years ago.

“I love youth. I love teens and young adults a lot, because they’re more honest than regular grown-ups, to be real,” Ms. Vileta said. “I love the directness; I don’t ‘do’ passive aggressive, don’t beat around the bush.”

In her current role as a community health educator for Johnson County Public Health, education remains at the core of Ms. Vileta’s work. Although she first worked for Johnson County as a human resources representative, Ms. Vileta returned to the health department after a stint in Minnesota in a similar role. Now, 11 years into the job, she said she is grateful to be able to work around those she connects with. 

“I get to know and work with the best people in this town … people that would literally let you sleep in their home, that would feed you,” Ms. Vileta said. “All the great nonprofits that we have, I don’t even know where to begin with listing all those people; elected officials that have been really great with the work that I’ve done with them, I just feel lucky. I am fueled by good people.”

A significant portion of Ms. Vileta’s work focuses on tobacco prevention and control, which she often visits local classrooms to discuss. She has also worked on policies promoting smoke-free environments and increasing access to local information resources.

Beyond tobacco control, Ms. Vileta has focused on broader health inequities, particularly those affecting marginalized communities. She noted how health outcomes are not solely based on personal choices but are shaped by systemic factors like housing, education, and economic stability.

In multiple letters of recommendation for Ms. Vileta’s recognition, co-workers and associates noted her dedication to education and her strengths as an advocate.  

“Whether it’s spearheading tobacco and nicotine prevention with her work at the health department, fostering partnerships, or advocating for the underprivileged, Susan Vileta has exhibited an extraordinary level of passion and effectiveness,” wrote Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter. “One of Susan Vileta’s most admirable qualities is her ability to lead with empathy and inclusivity. She has been a tireless advocate for diversity and has worked tirelessly to create spaces that empower others.” 

Ms. Vileta said one of her biggest career challenges was tackling the county’s public health response to COVID-19. Especially in the pandemic’s early days, she played a key role in public health communication, working to provide accurate, science-based information as soon as it was available.

“Since I was our public information officer as well as communications person, I had to understand things before I could explain them to others. And there wasn’t a lot of great understanding in the beginning, if you recall,” Ms. Vileta said. “I can’t imagine a time that’s going to teach me more, or be more stressful.” 

She said one of her biggest takeaways from that experience was learning how to answer groups of people asking for information that doesn’t exist yet, as well as knowledge on how to deal with a pandemic scenario for the future.  

Looking ahead, Ms. Vileta said she remains focused on addressing emerging public health challenges from her current position, and looks forward to seeing the results of a healthier Johnson County. 

“My goal is to keep doing what I’m doing and keep leading from where I’m at, and pushing other people to do that,” Ms. Vileta said. “Lead from where you are. Your title doesn’t matter; you can always be a leader.”