Chet P. Hewitt is President and CEO of the Sierra Health Foundation and founding CEO of The Center. Under his leadership, both organizations are committed to boldly advancing health and racial equity, social justice and inclusive economic development in underserved communities in California. Chet is BACS’ first board member from Sacramento County, which is now 30% of BACS services!

Chet has held senior positions in the public and nonprofit sectors, where he is known for his innovative and thoughtful risk taking and his deep commitment to improving the health and wellbeing being of vulnerable populations. Notably, Chet was the Director of Social Services in Alameda County for many years. He is an Annie E. Casey Children and Families Leadership Fellow and has served on several boards including Roberts Enterprise Development Fund, CalNonprofits, Resources Legacy Fund, Public Policy Institute of California, Advance Peace, and now BACS.

Chet has received numerous awards for his impactful leadership, including the Terrance Keenan Leadership Award, one of the highest honors in health philanthropy. In 2021, the National Academy of Public Administration inducted Chet into its Academy of Fellows, placing him among just 940 other prominent leaders who hold the title for life. Chet has deep experience with behavioral health, family systems, and homelessness. Chet recently returned from a sabbatical focused on the unhoused population. “Housing is seminal to health and well-being, and an unstable living environment can have profound effects.”