Shontia Whitehead

Project Labor Agreement Specialist, Sound Transit & Health Coach, Palmer Pathways

Enlighten Forum Presenter, “Nutrition for the Construction & Energy Trades”

Biography

Shontia Whitehead was born in Michigan and moved to Washington when she was 10. She went to Lincoln High School and that is where she received her Palmer Scholar Education Award. Palmer Scholars helped prepare her for the transition from high school to college back in 2011. The team supported her throughout her college journey. Shontia went to the University of Washington and received her BA in Early Childhood and Family Studies and minored in Diversity. She graduated from UW in 2015 and she is a first-generation college graduate. Shontia has worked in the nonprofit sector since college. She is very passionate about giving back to her community. She has worked with youth through after school and summer programs. Shontia is also passionate about health and wellness. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach. She is currently learning as much as she can about food and the healthiest way we should be eating. In February 2020, Shontia co-founded a health and fitness Nonprofit Organization called Free Flo Fit. They currently offer weekly group fitness classes, events, and nutrition coaching in King and Pierce County. Their vision is to help underprivileged minority communities develop healthy lifestyles through their services.

In 2022 Shontia started working for Palmer Scholars as the Pathway Navigator and Health Coach. She loved working for the organization that helped her succeed in life. She learned so much about the trades and she helped the scholars navigate successfully through the pre-apprenticeship to an apprenticeship of their choice. After performing well in her position, Sound Transit reached out to Shontia about a position they had opened. Since June 2023, Shontia has been working for Sound Transit as a Project Labor Agreement Specialist. She still works for Palmer Pathways part-time as the Health Coach and is on the Palmer Pathways Advisory Board. She continues to help adults of color and women pursue a career in the trades.