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Michele Lew
CEO and Board Member
Michele Lew is the former CEO of The Health Trust, a nonprofit operating foundation with the mission to build health equity in Silicon Valley.367 The Health Trust was founded in 1996 after the sale of a nonprofit hospital system in San Jose.25 The resulting proceeds were then converted into a trust fund with the aim of promoting health and access to healthcare.2 The Health Trust provides grants to left-of-center organizations, services to groups seen as victims, and lobbies for left-of-center health care policies.2
Before her role at The Health Trust, Lew was the Government and Community Relations Director at Stanford Health Care and the President and CEO of Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), a San Jose federally qualified health center.36 She also served as district director for former California State Legislator Joe Simitian.36 Lew earned a B.A. in economics from Yale University and a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University.36
In May 2024, Lew announced The Health Trust's decision to hand off its community service programs, including Meals on Wheels and the Food Basket.1 Shortly after, her resignation as CEO was revealed and she is taking a senior leadership position at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health as Senior Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer.13 She remains on The Health Trust's board.1
The Health Trust is transitioning its direct services to other organizations and is refocusing on policy advocacy and grantmaking.14 Effective July 1, 2024, the direct services are being transitioned to other local organizations.4 Amy Chan has been serving as interim CEO since June 28, leading the transition.1




