Oakland, CA — The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) today announced the appointment of Krysten Curtis, CPA, as its new vice president of finance and administration. Curtis — who brings extensive experience in nonprofit finance, foundation operations, and strategic leadership — will join CHCF on March 10. 

Curtis comes to CHCF from the Kapor Center, a family of organizations working under a shared mission to increase access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; tech careers; and tech entrepreneurship for underrepresented people of color. Curtis served as chief financial officer and interim chief operating officer at the Kapor Center, overseeing finance and accounting, office services, IT, facilities, events, and risk management. Previously, she was chief financial officer at College Futures Foundation, a nonprofit private foundation focused on increasing postsecondary completion for underserved learners in California.  

“We are extremely fortunate to add Krysten to CHCF’s leadership team,” said Sandra R. Hernández, MD, president and CEO of the foundation. “Her principled and pragmatic approach to operations and finance will enable us to prudently and nimbly deploy our resources and make the most of our opportunities for impact.” 

“I am thrilled to join CHCF at this critical moment when ensuring equitable health care access for all Californians has never been more urgent,” said Curtis. “I look forward to contributing my expertise to advance CHCF’s mission. CHCF leverages a variety of tools for impact — from strategic grantmaking and impact investing to policy research and strategic communications — and I’m excited to learn more about how finance and operations can best support progress toward CHCF’s vital programmatic outcomes.” 

Curtis is an active leader in the philanthropic sector, serving as a subcommittee chair on the Research Committee for the Foundation Financial Officers Group and as a member of the Bay Area Foundation Roundtable. She holds a BS in business administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is a licensed CPA in California. 

In her new role, Curtis will oversee CHCF’s finance, administration, grants management, and information technology functions, ensuring strong operational support for the foundation’s programmatic work to create a health care system that works for all Californians. 

“Krysten brings a combination of financial expertise and mission-driven leadership that will strengthen CHCF’s ability to serve as responsible stewards of our resources,” said CHCF board member Mel Lindsey, who chair’s CHCF’s Finance & Investment Committee. “Her deep experience in foundation management will help maximize our impact on California’s health care system, particularly for communities facing the greatest barriers to care.” 

About the California Health Care Foundation  

The California Health Care Foundation is an independent, nonprofit philanthropy that works to improve the health care system so that all Californians have the care they need. We focus especially on making sure the system works for Californians with low incomes and for communities who have traditionally faced the greatest barriers to care.

Contact Information:

About the California Health Care Foundation