The Alliance for Health Equity’s Board of Directors announced Wednesday that Vanessa B. Briggs has resigned as President and CEO, after five years in the role. Her last day with The Alliance will be August 19. Briggs is the new Vice President for Health Equity in Woods System of Care and Executive Director of Woods’ New Jersey healthcare ventures starting in September. Woods Services is a population health management organization that, through its network of providers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, provides life cycle care to meet the lifelong needs of children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, acquired brain injuries and/or mental health challenges.
Briggs joined The Alliance in 2017, bringing with her three decades of public health, healthcare, community health, social determinants of health and community development and leadership expertise to Chester County. When she arrived, Briggs immediately set out to get to know the needs and strengths of the Greater Coatesville community and beyond, as well as her new neighbors and colleagues. Through scores of small gatherings and public events with residents, diverse health and human service providers, and government, business, and faith leaders, she deeply engaged with Greater Coatesville community members from every walk of life. Everything learned from these meetings, along with Brigg’s visionary leadership, helped the Board of Directors and the team transform The Alliance’s strategic direction to carry out their Mission to better serve Greater Coatesville.
During Vanessa’s tenure, she led The Alliance for Health Equity through a strategic and business planning process that centered equity, community voice, and partnerships within the Mission, branded Let’s Talk Community Gatherings, implemented Trust-based Philanthropy approaches to grantmaking, launched the Nonprofit Justice & Equity Institute, and implemented the Coatesville Homelessness and the Unemployment Collective and Coatesville Black Media Renaissance. Most recently, Vanessa and The Alliance team sprang into action in response to the hospital closing and acted as the go-to convener for the Coatesville Health Services Leadership Group. She also led The Alliance’s rebrand and name change and expanded the staffing model to support the transformation of the organization and the launch of Mission Aligned Investing.
“Words cannot express how honored I am, to have led The Alliance for Health Equity and to humbly serve the Greater Coatesville community during these last five years. I have learned a great deal from so many special people who care deeply and carry such deep pride for their hometown. Thank you to the incredible Alliance team who journeyed with me as we strived to improve the health and wellbeing of the community, and to the Board of Directors for their partnership and commitment in helping to ensure The Alliance’s vitality and ability to respond to community needs in innovative ways,” commented Briggs.
“Under Vanessa’s leadership, The Alliance has played a pivotal role in the City of Coatesville and throughout the Greater Coatesville community because of her holistic approaches and strategies on health and more importantly her ability to effect much needed change for all residents. She was instrumental in building authentic relationships and partnerships across community leaders and advocates and many groups representing health, social services, and economic development. Vanessa has laid the path forward and the City of Coatesville is committed to remaining a strategic partner with The Alliance for Health Equity,” commented James Logan, City Manager of Coatesville.
Newly appointed Board Chair, Valerie K. Martin stated, “We are so grateful to Vanessa for all her hard work, leadership, and innovation. The Board ensures that The Alliance will remain fully aligned with our Mission in all funding and programmatic activities going forward. The Board and the staff look forward to continued partnership with the community, county, and our grant partners to foster integrated services and a more-healthy environment for the Greater Coatesville area.” “We hope the community and all of our friends and partners will join us at Vanessa’s farewell reception on Thursday, August 11, 2022, as we celebrate her dedication to the Greater Coatesville community and wish her much success.” More details regarding the event will be forthcoming.
The Board of Directors will appoint Nicholas (Nick) Torres, current Chief Operating Officer for The Alliance, to serve as the Interim CEO beginning in mid-August. They will embark upon a national CEO search process in the coming months.
