Melissa Stafford Jones is a seasoned health policy leader with a deep commitment to equity and improving the well-being of all Californians. She’s championed transformative efforts in the public, health policy, and philanthropic sector to advance health equity. Melissa’s previous roles include Director of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Executive Director of the First 5 Association of California, Regional Director for HHS Region IX under the Obama administration, and President & CEO of the California Association of Public Hospitals. She holds an MPH from UC Berkeley and a BS in Biology from Saint Mary’s College.