Malynnda Stewart, PhD, BCPA is a board-certified patient advocate and the CEO of Compassionate Navigation, LLC. She believes that effective communication is a form of preventive medicine, reducing misunderstandings, improving health outcomes, and fostering trust between patients and providers. Through her consulting work, she equips patients, families, and healthcare professionals with the skills to navigate complex conversations with clarity, confidence, and compassion. As a professor of health communication, cultural communication, interpersonal communication, interviewing, and persuasion, Malynnda helps students and professionals develop practical communication strategies that improve patient care and workplace interactions. She is committed to meeting people where they are, ensuring that difficult conversations—whether in healthcare, education, or daily life—are approached with empathy and understanding. Malynnda also hosts the podcast Communication Compass, which is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations strengthen their communication skills in challenging situations. Her work empowers people to engage in meaningful, solution-focused discussions that lead to better relationships, improved well-being, and more inclusive environments.