For Immediate Release: September 19, 2017
The Health Trust Contact: Gustavo Caraveo, gustavoc@healthtrust.org or (408) 513-8740
San Jose, CA, September 19, 2017 – The Health Trust is excited to announce the hiring of Michele Lew as Chief Executive Officer. After a thorough 9 month executive search, that started with 90 really well qualified candidates, The Health Trust is confident that we hired the right person for the job.
“Michele without a doubt meets all of the criteria we were looking for in a CEO. From her demonstrated commitment to serving the most vulnerable people in our community, to her experience navigating the local political landscape, the Board of Trustees and I are more than certain that Michele will successfully lead The Health Trust and advance the health outcomes of our clients for many years to come,” said Interim CEO and Board Chair Charlie Bullock.
Currently serving as the Local Government and Community Relations Director for Stanford Health Care, Michele previously served as President and CEO of Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) from 2005-2016, a nonprofit health and wellness organization with an $18 million annual budget and 170 staff members. It is her experience at AACI that most appealed to The Health Trust, for this is where she garnered the respect and reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s most transformative nonprofit leaders.
According to Patricia Gardner, CEO of the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, “Michele Lew is an exceptional choice to lead The Health Trust into the future. She has a solid track record and commitment to improving health care for children, seniors, low income, disenfranchised and ethnic communities. Michele will immediately be able to lead efforts to build upon the great work of The Health Trust through innovation, collaboration and respect for the diversity of our community.”
The Health Trust has a long standing reputation as a change maker in this valley. Tackling issues such as aging, homelessness, food insecurity, chronic disease management, fluoridation and serving as one of the largest AIDS Services providers in the bay area, The Health Trust has never shied away from critical health issues plaguing our valley’s most vulnerable people. This factor played a part in Michele’s decision to take on the role as the next CEO of The Health Trust.
“Through direct services, policy advocacy, and grantmaking, The Health Trust is uniquely positioned to improve the health of everyone in our community,” said Michele. “I am thrilled to join The Health Trust team and I’m ready to take on the challenge of building health equity in Silicon Valley.”
As excited as both parties are about the prospects of this union, it will have to wait for January 2018. Out of respect for her current employer, Michele asked that she be allotted time to complete some of her current projects and responsibilities. This is a request that The Health Trust was more than happy to grant.
Between now and January 2018, Board Chair, Charlie Bullock, will continue to serve as Interim CEO, while keeping Michele apprised of all Health Trust related matters.
The Health Trust’s mission is to build health equity in Silicon Valley. With Michele Lew leading the charge, The Health Trust staff and Board of Trustees are supremely confident in its ability to accomplish this goal in the near and foreseeable future.
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About Michele Lew
Michele Lew currently serves as the Local Government and Community Relations Director for Stanford Health Care. Previously, she served as President and CEO of Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) from 2005-2016, a nonprofit health and wellness organization with an $18 million annual budget and 170 staff members.
Michele also served as the district director for former California State Senator/State Assemblymember Joe Simitian. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, and UCLA on education issues. Michele has served as board chair for the Santa Clara Family Health Plan and the Community Health Partnership, and served as the community member on the San Jose Mercury News editorial board.
A Santa Clara County native, Michele holds a B.A. in economics from Yale University and a master in public policy degree from Harvard University.
About The Health Trust
The Health Trust is a nonprofit organization building health equity in Silicon Valley. It ensures that health related grants, policies and services exist to support Silicon Valley’s most vulnerable communities. For more information, visit healthtrust.org.