St. Joseph Community Partnership Fund confirms new Board of Directors

July 20, 2021 – After a thorough recruiting process, the St. Joseph Community Partnership Fund (SJCPF) is pleased to announce it has finalized its Board of Directors.

The 14-member board includes both internal Providence leaders and outside experts from diverse sectors who have extensive community engagement experience. The board is responsible for providing directional oversight for the organization including policy formulation, critical decision making and contributing subject matter expertise on issues that align with the Fund’s key priorities.

“I am delighted that these individuals have agreed to serve on the Fund’s board,” said Gabriela Robles, Chief Executive of the St. Joseph Community Partnership Fund at Providence. “Each board member brings unique expertise and perspectives that will be valuable assets to the Fund. I am energized by their enthusiasm and passion for advancing social justice and equity in our communities.”

After 35 years of dedicated service in California, the Fund expanded its reach to support ongoing efforts across the entire Providence system in 2021. With this expansion, the Fund supports programs and communities across Providence’s geographic footprint in partnership with local community health investment teams and regional leaders. Board governance will be an important part of SJCPF’s expanded mandate.

“It is an honor to be part of this impressive group of thoughtful leaders,” said Debra Canales, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Providence. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the Fund’s staff to identify opportunities to bolster the strength of local organizations and support their efforts to improve the health and well-being of our communities.”

SJCPF’s work is grounded in the original vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life. This principle continues to guide the Fund today in its effort to find new and creative ways to invest in under-resourced communities and support those furthest from justice.

Board members include:

Alissa Abdo, Executive Director, On the Move
Dr. Nwando Anyaoku, Chief Health Equity Officer, Swedish Health Services
Debra Canales, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Providence
Elaine Couture, Former Chief Executive, Providence Washington & Montana region
Mary Ann Foo, Executive Director and Founder, Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance
James Harker, Chief Population Health Officer, Providence
Donna Logan, Senior Consultant, McKinley Research Group
Joe Lumarda, Senior Vice President and Investment Counselor, Capital Group Private Client Services
Paul Montgomery, Group Vice President, System Finance, Providence
Paul Ohta, Vice President, Business Development, Providence
Sister Suzanne Sassus, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
Ava Steaffens, Strategic Partnership Director – California, World Relief
Judy Wagner, Chief Mission Officer, Providence St. Mary Medical Center

SJCPF is Providence’s strategic grantmaking partner, investing in the health and well-being of communities across the Providence family of organizations. Since 1986, SJCPF has worked to reduce health disparities and promote equity by empowering local organizations and community leaders to improve access, strengthen partnerships and build collaboration. SJCPF focuses on four priority areas: housing and homelessness, education, disaster response and resilience, and capacity building.

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About Providence: Providence is a national, not-for-profit Catholic health system comprising a diverse family of organizations and driven by a belief that health is a human right. With 52 hospitals, over 1,000 physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing, and many other health and educational services, the health system and its partners employ more than 120,000 caregivers serving communities across seven states – Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, with system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif. Learn about our vision of health for a better world at Providence.org.