Staff
Virginia Witt
Director, Public Affairs
virginia.witt@blueshieldcafoundation.org
As Director of Public Affairs for the Foundation, Virginia Witt’s role is to build awareness and support among policy leaders and the public for proven strategies that strengthen California’s healthcare safety net. She works to advance the Foundation’s mission through strategic outreach to the media, policymakers, other stakeholder groups, and the public.
Ms. Witt brings more than twenty years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropy sectors to this role. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as Executive Director of the San Francisco Beacon Initiative, an innovative citywide program that promotes youth and family centers based in public schools. She received a Certificate of Honor in early 2006 from Mayor Gavin Newsom for her "visionary leadership" of the program.
At the Kaiser Family Foundation, Ms. Witt spearheaded partnerships with CBS Television and Black Entertainment Television to promote key health issues and awareness. She was also responsible for managing key initiatives and conducting policy forums, in collaboration with other foundations and stakeholder groups. Prior to moving to California in 2000, Ms. Witt worked in the communications and policy arena in Washington, D.C., holding senior roles at the National Education Association, People For the American Way, and the Children’s Defense Fund.
