Foundation gets new executive director

The nonprofit organization that has pledged $7.5 million to Imperial County for wellness projects if it raises $17.5 million of its own by June 30, 2020, has a new executive director.

Alliance Healthcare Foundation announced that Sarah Lyman has been hired as to lead the organization in its mission to advance health and wellness for those in need through collaborative funding, convening and advocacy.

“On behalf of the Alliance Healthcare Foundation, we are pleased to announce and welcome Sarah Lyman as our new executive director,” said Joe Ramsdell, board trustee. “Sarah’s history as a catalyst coupled with her development of networks, including leveraging resources to make positive impact, makes her an excellent fit for the role.”

With nearly a decade of experience catalyzing results in health philanthropy, Alliance said Lyman brings unique leadership to the intersection of population health, systems change and collaboration in order to advance health equity.

Prior to joining Alliance, Lyman served as the executive vice president for Empire Health Foundation in eastern Washington, which oversees $70 million per year in funding. While at EHF, she was instrumental in designing and building the organization from its inception into a thriving agent for community change, leveraging and managing resources over 18 times its annual endowed grant making.

“I am extremely honored and excited to serve the San Diego and Imperial County regions as we work together to achieve health equity and measurable improvements in health outcomes,” Lyman said. “I know that Alliance Healthcare Foundation has a long and rich history of collaboration in this region. I am eager to learn from Alliance’s many community partners and stakeholders and join you in creating transformational positive impact for generations to come.”

The Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation was established in June to pursue Alliance’s grant challenge. In addition to offering the $7.5 million matching grant to endow IVWF, Alliance has invested an additional $300,000 to support IVWF’s start-up operations and initial grant-making.

— Tom Bodus, tbodus@ivpresslonline.com