About the Agency Director

Colleen Chawla is the Director of the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, which includes the Departments of Behavioral Health, Environmental Health, Public Health, and the Office of the Agency Director. The Agency has an annual budget of $870 million and more than 1,500 employees.

Ms. Chawla joined the Health Care Services Agency in December 2017. She came to Alameda County from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, where she spent 13 years, the last six of which serving as its Deputy Director. Her experience in the health sector goes back 25 years and includes positions in non-profit HIV/AIDS services and publicly-traded biotechnology organizations.

Ms. Chawla is the Vice President of the County Health Executive Association of California and she also serves on the Advisory Council of the Insure the Uninsured Project. She earned her Bachelor's degree in history from the University of Southern California and a Masters of Public Administration/Health Services Administration from the University of San Francisco. As a 20-year Oakland resident, Ms. Chawla is excited to be doing this important work in her home county.