CAHL Committees & Volunteer Opportunities
..CAHL’s board committees work cross-functionally with stakeholders to create and deliver valuable offerings and services that operationalize our mission and vision. In collaboration with ACHE, we are committed to delivering tools, thought-leadership, and services to help our members to develop and advance their careers and the healthcare management profession.
Committee Chairs sit on CAHL’s board, drive strategy and tactics across the committees, and lead our teams of volunteers.
We always welcome feedback, ideas, and additional volunteers, who earn points toward the ACHE Recognition Program. Reach out here to get involved.
Advancement
Chair, Member Advancement: Kevin Clougherty, MHA, FACHE
Supports CAHL members in preparation for the Board of Governors’ exam (BOG) through a five-week FACHE webinar series in partnership with the sister ACHE chapter from San Diego (SOHL) offered bi-annually. Renowned guest speakers across California have shared their expertise relative to the exam topics to enhance the participation experience, as well as demonstrate the application of FACHE in their respective healthcare leadership roles. CAHL is proud to continue offering three scholarships per workshop series to members towards the BOG exam fee for professional development. Additionally, our committee provides supplemental materials, such as two preparation study bundles to participating members, for higher success and confidence to take the BOG exam.
Career Development & Transition
Chair: Amber Campbell, DBA, MBA, FACHE
Vice-Chair: Robyn Ply
The Career Development and Transition committee provides support, resources, and programs for members at all levels of their career – the early-careerist, mid-careerist, senior-level executive, and person-in-transition. In 2024 they’ll be creating programming for career workshops and leadership panel events. This committee is recruiting members from diverse backgrounds to provide more meaningful content to our CAHL members across the chapter’s geography.
Chapter Programming
California Valley LPC Co-Chairs: McKenna Zoucha, MBA; Aphriekah Duhaney-West, FACHE
Coastal California LPC Co-Chairs: Antonette Shockey, Dureshehwar Swiger; Vice-Chair: Sanam Ghazvini
Greater East Bay LPC Co-Chairs: Leslie Cerpa-Weinberg, CPXP; Prital Patel; Vice-Chair: Kimberly Villaber, JD
Each Local Programming Council is charged with organizing events in a broad range of locations where CAHL members live or work. Events include virtual and in person networking events, qualifying educational events and face to face events. Local Programming Councils collaborate with and supports other committees within the organization to execute successful events in the Valley, Coastal and Greater East Bay regions.
Clinical Leadership
Chair: Delmar Smith, MBA, PA
Vice-Chair: Dr. Sharmi Mukherjee, DPT, CMP, CPXP
This group of dedicated clinical leaders strive to provide value for CAHL members by creating opportunities for education, collaboration, professional growth, and networking. Our 2025 goals include providing networking, qualified education and face to face sessions to optimize engagement of CAHL clinical leaders, collaborating with other committees such as JEDI and Higher education committees to engage and recruit diverse clinical leaders in training and early in their careers, and amplifying our voice in Policy & Health Equity, Population Health, Innovation/ Technology and Healthcare Finance.
College Bowl
Chair: Bryan Rivera, MBA, RN, FACHE
Coordinates our Northern California Healthcare Case Study Competition. Graduate and undergraduate health administration students within the CAHL Higher Education Network Schools compete in a hybrid virtual and in-person event that also provides networking opportunities.
Communications
Chair: Liz DeForest
Vice-Chair: Shehrose Charania, MPH
Supports CAHL’s goals through active communication to members, partners, sponsors and the board through our chapter website, newsletter, LinkedIn, and event marketing. Our efforts will support CAHL’s efforts to catalyze, connect, and demonstrate trusted partnership. In 2025, we’ll be focusing on increasing opportunities to engage and share ideas in our LinkedIn community, as well continuing to develop our monthly newsletter content with contributions from each committee.
Finance
Chair: Abraham Cicchetti, MSHA, CHEP
The Finance Committee of the California Association of Healthcare Leaders meticulously oversees the organization’s fiscal matters, ensuring prudent financial management and strategic investment to support the advancement of healthcare leadership in California. Comprised of seasoned financial experts and industry leaders, the committee employs rigorous analysis and forward-thinking to drive sustainable financial growth and uphold the association’s commitment to excellence in healthcare leadership.
Higher Education Network
Co-Chairs: Yamini Dwarakanath; Bryan Rivera, MBA, RN, FACHE
The CAHL Higher Education Network (HEN) committee reaches out and connects with local graduate and undergraduate programs in health management to encourage student membership and involvement in the local chapter, as well as provides key resources to students navigating their career growth and development. In 2025, their efforts to provide professional development resources to students and encourage engagement will include overseeing student scholarship awards, student council chair election, promoting school participation in the Healthcare Case Competition, and providing valuable events and programs for students including career connection opportunities, such as hosting an internship/fellowship program.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Chair: Mateika Martin
Vice-Chair: Sumedha Gulati, MPH, MBA
The JEDI Committee will support leaders and other committees and chapters in 2025 by facilitating networking events, conducting a face to face event, and building an engagement plan to support CAHL and ACHE priorities in furthering belonging and equity work. We will partner with our fellow leaders to ensure the JEDI work is available and accessible in support of our common goals.
Member & Volunteer Growth
Co-Chairs: Shasta Addessi, MHSA; Laura Palmer, DHA
Welcomes new members and provides resources to potential and current volunteers to ensure their volunteer experience is meaningful and impactful. The committee engages members through outreach focusing on membership growth and retention. In 2025, we plan to increase membership and retention by engaging our members and potential members through events and personal connections. We will increase volunteer engagement through meaningful volunteer opportunities, highlighting their important work and celebrating them at the annual awards celebration.
Mentorship
Chair: Stacey Aggabao
Committed to supporting the professional development of healthcare professionals and in advancing the CAHL mission of fostering lifelong learning and growth of our members through mentorship. As part of our 2025 strategic plan, we will offer several formal and informal program and event opportunities. One-time, informal mentoring opportunities consist of mentor/mentee connection for 1-2 hours. Our formal mentoring program is 3 months with 6 contact hours between the mentee/mentor pair. Matches are based on mentee/mentor interest and geographic location, whenever possible.
Sponsorship
Chair: Fawn Hutton, DHA(c), MBA, FACHE, FACMPE
Vice-Chair: Clarisse Vidal, MPH
Responsible for developing and cultivating strong relationships with sponsors and partners by securing funds and in-kind donations in support of CAHL’s educational and networking events to advance healthcare leaders. In 2025, they will continue to build our sponsor outreach strategy and event sponsorship opportunities. They will continue to create and cultivate strong relationships with our current and prospective sponsors and partners.
Strategic Outreach
Chair, Senior Executive Engagement: Kenny Pawlek, FACHE
Vice-Chair, Senior Executive Engagement: Michael Felder, FACHE
In 2025, the Senior Executive Engagement committee will continue its focus on strengthening connections to our senior executive membership through virtual and in-person networking events. The committee will also serve as a resource to other committees who seek engagement from senior executives for mentoring, speaking and panels.