Executive Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer

THE FOUNDATION:

Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) is dedicated to ensuring that every Missourian has a fair and just opportunity to live their healthiest life. Created to serve Missourians in perpetuity, the Foundation exists as a trusted partner and catalyst for change across the state.

We aspire to be an antiracist institution that intentionally and equitably directs resources where they are needed most so that all communities in our region can thrive. Through partnership with communities, institutions, and changemakers, we work to remove structural barriers and build systems that advance health equity and opportunity for all. Guided by our core values of Equity, Trust, Humility, Integrity, and Commitment, we invest in bold, innovative strategies that address the root causes of health inequities and drive measurable, lasting impact.

We, at MFH, believe that health equity depends on leadership from within, resourced organizations, healing and connection, and powerful partnerships that build collective capacity for change. Through our strategic levers, we create conditions for people, organizations, and systems to work together toward a healthier, more equitable future.

SUMMARY:

The Executive Vice President, Chief Health Equity Officer (EVP/CHEO) serves as a senior strategic leader responsible for leading the Foundation’s efforts to shape and advance a comprehensive health equity agenda, ensuring that the Foundation’s strategy, programs, and partnerships are coordinated, designed, and implemented to drive measurable and sustainable improvements in health equity across Missouri. Reporting to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Executive Team, the EVP/CHEO leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance and operationalize its theory of change, so that strategies across the Foundation’s strategic levers are aligned and mutually reinforcing.

The ideal candidate is a visionary and systems thinker who brings a deep understanding of structural inequities, community-driven change, and cross-sector collaboration. This leader will guide the Foundation in its pursuit of equitable health outcomes at scale—building the relationships, strategies, and internal capacity necessary to create lasting systemic change in Missouri.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Alignment:

• Lead the implementation of MFH’s theory of change, integrating the strategic levers into programmatic strategies, making ongoing refinements and course corrections as needed.
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive health equity agenda that drives systemic change and measurable improvements in community health and well-being.
• Ensure that the Foundation’s strategic framework is executed with clear alignment across teams, partners, and initiatives.
• Advise the CEO, Executive Team, and Board of Directors on emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges related to health equity.

Partnerships and Collaboration:

• Build and sustain authentic relationships with community leaders, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic peers, and private-sector partners.
• Champion leadership from within by supporting people most affected by inequities to shape and lead change efforts.
• Foster powerful partnerships across sectors to amplify collective action, build shared accountability, and align efforts around common goals.
• Represent MFH externally as a credible and trusted voice on issues of health equity while supporting the CEO’s visibility and outreach.
• Strengthen collaborative approaches across the strategic levers by facilitating connections between community, institutional, and systemic actors.

Policy and Systems Influence:

• Advance policies and investments that improve community health and well-being, with particular focus on historically underrepresented populations.
• Support MFH’s advocacy voice at the state and national levels, advancing health equity priorities in a complex environment.
• Build connections between those with lived experience and institutional decision-makers to influence fairer laws, practices, and behaviors.
• Champion innovation and evidence-based approaches to addressing the social determinants of health and dismantling systemic inequities.

Organizational Leadership and Culture:

• Strengthen internal alignment and staff capacity around the theory of change, ensuring shared ownership of MFH’s vision and strategy.
• Model inclusive, transparent, and learning-oriented leadership that embodies MFH’s values of Equity, Trust, Humility, Integrity, and Commitment.
• Cultivate a culture of healing and connection through open communication, power sharing, and collaborative decision-making.
• Support internal systems and practices that reflect and reinforce the Foundation’s commitment to equity, trust, and inclusion.

EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Leadership and Stewardship: Contribute to the development, evolution, and implementation of the Foundation’s strategic framework and theory of change. Ensure that the strategic levers are meaningfully integrated into all areas of responsibility. Clearly articulate the Foundation’s strategy, priorities, and health equity commitments to internal and external audiences in ways that inspire shared purpose and accountability.
• Goal Setting and Alignment: Set organizational goals and priorities that reflect MFH’s mission, values, and theory of change. Work collaboratively with staff and partners to translate strategy into action plans and measurable outcomes. Ensure teams remain responsive and adaptive to emerging opportunities, community insights, and environmental changes that call for strategic refinement.
• Representation and Partnership: Serve as a visible and trusted ambassador for MFH, representing the Foundation’s mission, values, and health equity priorities with integrity, professionalism, and humility. Build and sustain relationships with diverse partners—community-based organizations, public and private institutions, philanthropy peers, and others—to advance collective impact across the Foundation’s strategic levers.
• Organizational Culture and People Leadership: Create an environment in which all staff feel valued, supported, and connected to MFH’s purpose. Model inclusive and collaborative leadership that centers respect, transparency, and shared learning. Cultivate a workplace culture rooted in the Foundation’s values—Equity, Trust, Humility, Integrity, and Commitment—and foster healing, connection, and belonging across teams.
• Stewardship and Accountability: Demonstrate fiscal responsibility, sound judgment, and critical thinking in all matters to safeguard MFH’s financial, reputational, and human resources. Ensure that decision-making and resource allocation advance equitable outcomes and align with MFH’s mission.
• Governance and Board Engagement: Engage with the Board of Directors and its committees to advance the Foundation’s mission, strategy, and health equity goals. Support the Board’s understanding of the philanthropic landscape, the Foundation’s theory of change, and their governance role in ensuring accountability and impact. Assist with board education and learning efforts that deepen understanding of health equity, systems change, and the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Talent Development and Inclusion: Partner with Talent and Culture to ensure equitable hiring, onboarding, and professional growth processes. Take intentional steps to build and sustain a diverse, inclusive, and thriving workforce that reflects and advances the Foundation’s health equity commitments.
• Coaching and Growth: Provide regular feedback, mentorship, and development opportunities that help employees grow in their roles and expand their leadership capacity. Support staff in identifying and addressing barriers to their success and well-being. Encourage reflective practice and continuous learning.
• Empowerment and Accountability: Clearly define performance expectations aligned with organizational goals and the theory of change. Empower employees to take ownership of their work, fostering creativity, collaboration, and accountability for results. Delegate responsibility in ways that recognize individual strengths and potential.
• Accessibility and Engagement: Remain approachable and accessible to staff, listening to concerns and ideas with empathy and openness. Promote transparent communication and active problem-solving across teams.
• Performance and Corrective Action: Address performance concerns in a timely, constructive, and equitable manner. Balance accountability with support to ensure each employee can contribute meaningfully to the Foundation’s mission.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in public health, medicine, public policy, social sciences, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 10-12 years of progressive leadership experience in public health, philanthropy, community development, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated success in advancing health equity initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Proven track record of building partnerships across government, nonprofit, and community sectors.

Skills & Attributes

• Deep understanding of structural and social determinants of health.
• Demonstrated ability to operationalize a theory of change into strategy, partnerships, and measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional strategic, analytical, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to centering community voice and co-creation.
• Ability to lead with humility, empathy, and courage in complex systems.
• Experience leading teams through change and fostering organizational alignment around health equity goals.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT DEMANDS:

The physical demands are typical of those required of an office position. Travel is required up to 5% of the time. This position must commute to the St. Louis office a minimum 2-3 times per week. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the position responsibilities.

Please apply through our application portal, any additional questions can be directed to careers@mffh.org