SWACH Executive Director Search Update

SWACH’s search for our next Executive Director is continuing to make progress, led by Board President Jackie Esperance and a Board-appointed Search Committee.

Applications closed Feb. 9 and resulted in 51 applications. Of those, eight are from Vancouver, 10 are from elsewhere in Washington, six are from Oregon, and the remaining candidates are from other states, including Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Alaska, Colorado, and California.

Initial interviews will begin later this month. The process will then move into longer-format interviews in March, followed by finalist activities that include opportunities to connect with SWACH staff, board members, and community partners.

As SWACH looks ahead, the Executive Director role will provide vision and system leadership to support our mission and long-term sustainability. A major focus of the position is building and maintaining relationships across the region and state, including with peer ACH leaders, state agencies, Medicaid leaders, local health jurisdictions, health providers, consumers, policy groups, Native and Tribal communities, nonprofits, and SWACH staff and board members. The role also includes resource development, identifying and pursuing diverse funding opportunities at the federal, state, and local levels to sustain SWACH and advance shared work with partners.

The Executive Director will also help guide SWACH through a changing Medicaid landscape. This includes working with other ACH leaders to monitor and respond to developments tied to the 1115 Medicaid Waiver, ensuring SWACH meets state-mandated targets that support continued funding, and helping determine where SWACH can make the most effective investments in infrastructure and capabilities across the tri-county region.

Internally, the role includes leading and supporting SWACH staff, partnering closely with the Board through regular communication and shared strategy, and ensuring strong financial oversight and budget management in collaboration with the Executive Team and Finance Committee.

SWACH’s previous director, Nichole Peppers, is now serving as the first Executive Director of the Coalition of Accountable Communities of Health. Eddie Gallagher, the SWACH Director of Finance, will continue serving as Interim Executive Director until the new Executive Director is hired.