Today we’d like to introduce you to Sattie Zapata-Nyachwaya.
Hi Sattie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always known I wanted to work with people, and that comes from watching the women in my life. My grandmother was a teacher who loved being in community, and my mom has always found ways to give back. Haha, she still crochets sweaters every year for people experiencing homelessness. Growing up around that kind of care taught me early that taking care of people and community looks like a lot of things and is a responsibility.
I grew up between Dallas, Texas, and a small town in East Texas called Paris. Music became my pathway into college through a full scholarship, and while I loved singing, I never wanted to be a singer. Over the years, I found out that was more interested in people’s lives, understanding how to support them and seeing them grow.
That became even clearer when I started working at a community pharmacy, where I saw up close how health, trust, and policy intersect in everyday life. From there, I moved through nonprofit spaces and eventually toward policy, where I realized that lasting change happens when systems are strengthened and held accountable.
In this current chapter, I’m focused on holding multiple truths at once. Honoring where I come from while stepping into new responsibilities and season of my life. I’ve learned that confidence isn’t something you achieve once; it’s something you manage over time. For me, that means leading with intention, humility, and a commitment to continued growth.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been an honest one. For a long time, my career has been my life, and I spent a lot of energy trying to understand where I fit and whether I belonged. I second-guessed myself, overthought decisions, and had to learn how to take care of my mental health while still showing up for work that mattered to me.
What’s changed now is the nature of the struggle. Haha, I’m not trying to find myself anymore. I’m learning how to nurture confidence and lead sustainably.
For years, I just wanted a seat at the table and to feel validated for being there. Now I know I belong at the table, and I’m learning how to fully take up that space and contribute in a way that feels grounded, intentional, and lasting.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work sits at the intersection of health, policy and community. I focus on ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in real people’s lives and that community voices are reflected in systems meant to serve them.
I believe that I am known for my ability to connect and collaborate across spaces. I’ve always been someone who can work with many different kinds of people. I know what’s happening on the ground because I’ve been one of those people navigating systems without support and guidance and I also know being on the other side, understanding how those systems work and translating that knowledge to help making it better for others.
I am most proud of how I show up in the world. I believe advocacy looks different for everyone and for me it is no longer about just caring deeply. It’s about doing the work; in the capacity you can make sure that people’s lives are actually impacted for the better. This work has changed my life, and that’s what keeps me committed every day.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The entire Google Suite has saved me more times than I can count. It helps me stay organized and put together in fast paced environments.
I’ve always been drawn to self-help and social justice focused books. Killing the black body, by Dorothy Roberts has a lasting impact on me. It deepened my understanding of how black bodies; specifically black women have been treated within healthcare systems and policy. and it continues to inform how I think about care and equity. StrengthsFinder by Gallup has also helped me better understand my own strengths and how I show up in my career and in the world.
Spirituality has been more complex for me, because I’ve had to redefine and relearn it in order to embrace it in a healthier way. Over the past few years, I’ve been intentional about exploring practices that help me slow down, reflect, and feel more empowered. I’ve found grounding in astrology as a framework for deeper self-awareness, and an app called The Pattern has been especially helpful. Along with other reflective practices, these tools help me stay centered, grounded, and connected to myself, particularly through the many life transitions I’ve experienced over the past few years.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Sattiexchevette
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sattienyachwaya
