Amanda McAllister-Wallner officially takes the helm as Health Access California’s sixth Executive Director, and first new leader in 23 years
In McAllister-Wallner’s nearly nine years at Health Access, she has served in key leadership roles including Interim Executive Director since last year, Deputy Director from 2021-2024, and Director of the CA LGBTQ+ HHS Network from 2016 – 2021
She steps in during a pivotal time for our health care both nationally and statewide, as Health Access leads the Fight for our Health campaign to prevent Medicaid cuts
SACRAMENTO, CA – Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, is proud to announce the organization’s sixth Executive Director Amanda McAllister-Wallner. After serving as Health Access’ interim Executive Director since last year, she is the first official new leader for the organization in 23 years, and the first ever to have also served as Director of the CA LGBTQ+ Health and Human Services Network. The Health Access board selected Amanda after a nationwide search process.
“Amanda McAllister-Wallner is the leader that Health Access – and all California health care consumers – need at this moment,” said Jim Crouch, Chair of the Health Access Foundation Board. “Her public policy expertise and passion for our communities has been demonstrated time and time again over her nearly 9 years with the organization. As Director of the CA LBGTQ+ HHS Network, then Deputy Director and Interim Executive Director, she has grown Health Access to expand access to high quality, culturally competent, and affordable health care to all Californians, and will further strengthen the organization moving forward.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Amanda as the next Executive Director of Health Access. As the interim Executive Director for the last nine months, she has kept Health Access moving forward in a time of organizational transition and crisis in our health care system without skipping a beat,” said Joan Pirkle Smith, Chair of the Health Access California Board. “She has the strategic know-how and experience to lead us through the battles we face today, while bringing a fresh vision to win future victories for Health Access and our partners. California consumers can rest easy knowing that Amanda is at the helm of protecting and improving their care.”
Amanda takes the helm of Health Access in the midst of a nationwide fight to protect the Medi-Cal program from potential federal cuts. With nearly nine years of leadership at Health Access, and as a current co-chair of Fight for our Health, Amanda is well-positioned to advance the organization’s advocacy during this pivotal time for health care both nationally and statewide. As Executive Director, Amanda will provide oversight and strategic vision for Health Access’ policy, organizing, communications, and LGBTQ+ HHS Network teams and lead organizational fundraising efforts, new program initiatives and staff professional development.
Under her direction of the CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network, she grew the staff from one person to six and raised over $5 million to support LGBTQ+ health equity. She was instrumental in developing a statewide LGBTQ+ health policy agenda and successfully advocated for policies that strengthened collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data and improved access to LGBTQ+-affirming services. She also led the way to develop multiple projects focused on reducing LGBTQ+ health disparities, including: #Out4MentalHealth, We Breathe, Out About ACEs, and LGBTQ+ COVID Safety.
“I am honored to lead Health Access, an organization with a storied history of wins for California’s health care consumers,” said Amanda. “Our health care system is facing significant threats coming from Washington, and I will fight tirelessly on behalf of all Californians to defend our access to quality, affordable, and equitable health care.”
Amanda’s tenure as Health Access’ Executive Director begins today, April 15, 2025.
Read more:
Press Release: Longtime Leader of California’s Health Consumer Advocacy Coalition Tapped to Lead National Counterpart, Families USA