Los Angeles, CA – Having just completed a decade of its placed initiative Building Healthy Communities and transitioning to a new decade focused on power building in the state, The California Endowment has announced the appointment of Kate Kendell, Esq. as the first-ever Chief of Staff for the foundation and its CEO/President Dr. Robert K Ross.

Beginning June 1, Kate joins the staff of the Endowment after a successful nine years as a member of the Board of Directors.  Kate recently served as interim Chief Legal Officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center.  She also served for 22 years as the Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, a national organization that fights for the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

“The Endowment is excited to have Kate Kendell continue to serve our foundation, now as Chief of Staff,” said Dr. Robert K Ross, CEO/President, The California Endowment.  “Kate’s career is steeped in racial justice, LGBTQ advocacy, and civil rights, she will be a strong leader for our work in the next decade.”

The new hire comes after recent retirements of executive team leadership and a major transition of staff.  Kate will assist and support the  Executive Team, and will play a key role in the development and implementation for the Endowment’s future work, helping to deepen the racial equity efforts of the organization. She will also support grant making from the CEO’s office, and ensure the prioritization of critical issues and required information for the CEO to help facilitate efficiency and provide timely decision-making.

 About The California Endowment

The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation, was established in 1996 to expand access to, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental affordable improvements in the health status of all Californians. The Endowment challenges the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people’s health. At its core, The Endowment believes that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention. Learn more at www.calendow.org.

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