Yvette Radford

Why do you do what you do?

Improving the health of our communities has been core to Kaiser Permanente’s mission for more than 70 years, which is why I chose to work for the organization and 24 years later, why I am still here. Kaiser Permanente has allowed me the flexibility to identify critical community needs and develop meaningful and innovative approaches to address them.

What drew you to serving on the board?

Joining the board was attractive to me because of the bold and unapologetic leadership that the foundation exhibits in addressing the needs of communities of color and other underserved populations. I have also been impressed with the foundation’s focus on policy, justice, and social and economic well-being. I believe that these areas are primary drivers of health for individuals and addressing these issues help position the entire community to reach their full potential.

How would you describe your role as a board member?

As a member of the board, my job is to help them deliver on their mission by bringing my professional expertise, my lived experience and my role as a community leader to help foster new ideas, new partnerships and new approaches to ensure the needs of the community remain central to our work. As Nelson Mandela said, “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”

Full Biography

Yvette Radford is the Regional Vice President for External & Community Affairs at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California and has been with Kaiser Permanente for over 20 years. In her current capacity, Yvette is accountable for the organization’s Community Relations program, regional Government Relations, and $1.7 billion Community Benefit/Community Health portfolio. Yvette also serves as an advisory committee member on Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Gun Violence Research and Education. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Yvette spent 12 years working for the California State Legislature.

In addition to the San Francisco Foundation, Yvette serves on several boards and commissions. Governor Jerry Brown appointed her to the California Volunteers Commission in 2014, where she was re-appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Yvette is also a member of the Board of Directors of Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat Learn Play Foundation and California Women Lead.

Yvette brings her deep experience advancing community health and equity to SFF’s Board of Trustees and has strong connections to many Bay Area foundations and nonprofits.