Class of 1995
California Secretary of Health and Human Services

Diana Dooley is the current Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. Appointed in 2010 by Governor Jerry Brown, she chairs Covered California (the Health Benefit Exchange), leads 13 state departments within the Agency, and serves as chair or member of numerous other boards and commissions. Previous to her graduation from SJCL in 1995, Diana worked for Governor Brown during his first administration from 1975 – 1983. She also ran her own public relations and advertising firm before graduating from law school. Diana began her career in law with a private practice, and then worked for the Tulare County Superior Court before taking a position as vice president and later general counsel to California Children’s Hospital Association. Diana eventually became President and CEO of the California Children’s Hospital Association, which is where she remained until her appointment as head of CHHS. With an annual state budget of roughly $25 billion, California Health and Human Services is second only to schools K-12 in state funding. Another $60 billion in federal funding also flows through Diana’s department.

Diana is known for her commitment to the Valley. She has served on the Executive Committee of the UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees, Blood Source of Northern California, and The Maddy Institute Board of Directors at CSUF. She also served on the California Historical Society Board of Trustees. Diana received her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from California State University, Fresno, before attending SJCL.