LaToya Shields

LaToya Shields is a dynamic leader in the social service and public health field with more than 20 years of experience advancing equity, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and driving systems-level change. She is deeply committed to supporting historically marginalized communities by addressing health disparities, improving maternal and family health outcomes, and reducing stigma associated with substance use and mental health challenges.

Her work spans public health, social services, emergency management, and policy, with a strong focus on strategic planning, program implementation, and community-centered care coordination. LaToya has extensive experience building and sustaining collaborative networks across nonprofits, healthcare systems, and government partners to improve access to services and strengthen outcomes for vulnerable populations. She is especially skilled in using data-informed strategies to guide decision-making and improve program impact.

Her commitment to this work is also deeply personal. Having experienced significant loss in her own life, LaToya brings a grounded understanding of grief, healing, and the long-term impact loss can have on individuals and families. This lived experience strengthens her empathy and informs her approach to supporting others navigating trauma, transition, and recovery, aligning closely with the mission of Missing Pieces Support Group.

LaToya also serves as an Adjunct Professor and Field Instructor at Texas Southern University, where she mentors emerging social work professionals in ethical practice and community-responsive leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy from Texas Southern University, and remains dedicated to advancing innovative, community-led solutions that transform systems and improve outcomes for vulnerable families.