Board President
Assoc. VP/National Chief Communication Officer, Providence
Alan serves as Associate VP/Chief Communication Officer for national communications at Providence, one of the largest healthcare systems in the nation. His main focus is on developing and executing comprehensive internal and external communications strategies that help improve brand perception, manage crises, and foster stakeholder engagement. Working closely with top-level executives, Alan ensures Providence’s messaging aligns with our Mission, goals and values to deliver impactful results. In past leadership roles, he has led teams focused on marketing, communications and consumerism. 

Immediate Past President
Executive Director, Communication, Providence

Executive leader with a passion for communications, strategic planning, change management, and person-centered leadership. Kennedy specializes in strategic communications for health policy, public health, system transformation, health equity, advocacy, community engagement, and large-scale education and awareness campaigns.

Treasurer
Founder & Principal, Marchand Group

Michael is a strategic, innovative, results-driven leader known for achieving organizational objectives for startups and mature organizations. He has a proven record of delivering optimal performance for and with Fortune 100 corporations, nonprofit and community organizations, early-stage companies, governments and government agencies and issues related causes. Michael holds a B.S. in Political Science and Government from Franklin & Marshall College.

Secretary
Digital Product Manager, Marketing & Communications, PeaceHealth

Summer Meyer, MBA, is a digital communications and product leader with nearly three decades at PeaceHealth, where she currently serves as Digital Product Manager overseeing intranet strategy and digital workplace modernization. With earlier roles in web program management and application development, she focuses on creating human-centered digital experiences that strengthen communication and caregiver engagement. She holds multiple leadership credentials from Seattle University and Gonzaga University and brings additional volunteer leadership experience with the American Massage Therapy Association. Across her work, she champions mission-aligned strategy, collaborative governance, and environments where teams can thrive.

Communication Director
Communication Manager, Providence

Jenna is a communication manager on the national communication team at Providence. Her focus is internal communication for initiatives affecting caregivers across the health system’s seven state footprint. Prior to joining Providence, Jenna was the communications coordinator for Marion County Health & Human Services where she managed the department’s internal and external communication channels and served as the public information officer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professional Development Director, Webinars
Founder & Principal, Brooks Digital

For the past 10 years, Spencer Brooks has led Brooks Digital, a web development and strategy firm that works at the intersection of the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. Using an evidence-based approach to uncover user needs and align stakeholders, he and his team create websites that drive your mission forward, working with clients such as Moda Health and the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette. Spencer also hosts the Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing podcast and serves on the board of Healthcare Communicators Northwest, where he supports professional development.

Professional Development Director, Annual Conference
VP of Strategic Communications, Cambia Health Solutions

Susan leads strategic communications, including reputation management, public relations, stakeholder communications, social media and brand journalism for Cambia and its regional health plans in Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Washington. She provides strategic counsel on communications, including executive thought leadership, to tell the story of how Cambia and its regional health plans help transform health care for people and their families.

President, Quinn Thomas
Professional Development Director, Events

At Quinn Thomas, a marketing communications agency serving clients across the Northwest, Erin leads brand strategy, employee communications and change management, marketing strategy, and executive communications for hospital systems, state health agencies, and nonprofit health organizations. Erin is passionate about advancing community health priorities, including addressing opioid addiction, expanding behavioral health access, and removing barriers to care for underserved communities. Erin began her career in Washington, D.C., in public policy and communications roles before joining Kaiser Permanente Northwest and later serving in senior health care consulting leadership positions.

Membership Director
Director of Corporate Communications, CVS Health

Rachel is an experienced communications professional with a wide background in corporate and executive communications, reputation management, branding, and multimedia storytelling. She has spent her career focused on helping large health care organizations build trust with consumers and stakeholders alike, with a specific focus on payor, PBM, and pharmacy verticals. 

Director At-Large
Director of Advancement, Neighborhood Health Center

Penny is a passionate advocate for community health centers and the essential role they play in caring for vulnerable populations. She is dedicated to elevating awareness of the lifesaving work happening every day in community-based healthcare and excels at connecting people through meaningful relationships that advance collaboration and impact. With more than 20 years of experience, Penny built a strong foundation in marketing, communications, business development, graphic design, and brand management. Over the past 15+ years in nonprofit leadership, she has directed comprehensive advancement efforts, including fundraising, government relations, board relations, communications, marketing, public relations, community engagement, and strategic planning. Penny brings a strategic, relationship-centered approach to her work, aligning mission-driven storytelling with measurable growth and long-term sustainability.

Directors At-Large
Communications & Engagement Manager, Oregon Primary Care Association

L. Dani Gehrke is a communications professional dedicated to public interest issues and civil engagement. She currently serves as the Communications and Engagement Manager at the Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA), where she implements communication strategies to elevate visibility and awareness of Oregon’s Community Health Centers. In this role, Dani leverages her expertise in content development, strategic messaging, and community outreach to amplify key community health priorities and support access to low-barrier, effective primary care.

Directors At-Large
Communications Lead, Kaiser Permanente 

Rachel is a seasoned communications professional with a passion for storytelling and community engagement. She brings a wealth of experience in strategic communications, creative writing, and project management. Currently, she serves as the Communications Lead at Kaiser Permanente Northwest where  she oversee the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies that align with organizational goals and mission. Throughout her career, Rachel has led some of Kaiser Permanente’s  largest projects, including hospital communications and senior leader communications.