12.07.2022 / Press Release
Health equity, advocacy experts Latisha Latiker, Elena Marks and Toby Douglas join Families USA’s Board of Directors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Frederick Isasi, executive director of Families USA, announced today that Latisha Latiker, Elena Marks and Toby Douglas are joining the organization’s Board of Directors.
“Latisha, Elena and Toby bring a wealth of health policy, nonprofit management, advocacy and equity expertise and experience driving these issues in every corner of America,” said Isasi. “But most importantly, they are dedicated to ensuring that no one is denied the opportunity to live their healthiest life because of the color of their skin, how much money they have, where they live, or who they love. We are honored to have their service on the Board and their decades of experience at our disposal as we work to eliminate the sharp disparities and inadequacies in our health and health care system.”
Latiker is a nonprofit leader with a background in planning, developing and implementing public policy advocacy programs and initiatives. She is the Director of Grants Programming for the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi, an organization that advances economic security for women through grant making, community engagement and research. Prior to joining the Women’s Foundation, she served as Regional Program Officer for the Children’s Defense Fund’s Southern Regional Office – where she worked on advocacy initiatives that addressed the needs of children and families. Latiker holds a Master of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in public policy and public administration and a Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma State University. “I’ve dedicated my career to advancing policies that help women, children and families obtain their best health and economic outcomes, so I’m thrilled to join the Families USA board at this critical time,” she said. “I look forward to advocating for a more equitable and accessible health system that is tailored to meet families’ needs.”
Marks’ expertise includes health disparities, health equity and the non-medical drivers of health. She is a Health Policy Fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, where she helps Texans live healthier lives. Prior to joining Rice, she was the Founding President and CEO of the Episcopal Health Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to health equity in Texas. Marks’ background also includes serving as the Director of Health and Environmental Policy for the City of Houston and consulting in the health care industry with large systems and community-based providers. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Emory University, a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. “As a professed health policy wonk who is obsessed with health, not just health care, I am delighted to join the Families USA board,” said Marks. I look forward to working on changing the system so it values, rewards and pays for positive health outcomes for all people.”
Douglas is a Medicaid and health policy expert who serves as Senior Vice President, National Medicaid at Kaiser Permanente. Prior to joining Kaiser, he was Senior Vice President for Medicaid Solutions at Centene Corporation. A long-time state Medicaid official, he has served as an executive in many roles, including Director of the California Department of Health Care Services and Director of California Medicaid. Douglas holds a Master of Public Policy, Master of Public Health and bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. “As we work to extend Medicaid so that it helps more families get the health and health care they need and deserve, this is an exciting time for me to join the Families USA board,” said Douglas. “I’m looking forward to building on our efforts to expand Medicaid given the important role it plays in helping get people the care they need.”
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