Kathy Reyes
San Jose,CA
Summary
Strategic and systems-oriented public service leader advancing workforce wellbeing, equity, and organizational culture change for over 10 years across public health and healthcare systems. Skilled in applying human-centered design, change management, and trauma-informed principles to embed emotional wellbeing into daily operations and infrastructure. Successfully launched Well365, a year-round wellbeing initiative, and led a reimagined staff engagement survey process that catalyzed culture change and increased leadership accountability. Adept at building cross-functional partnerships, leveraging data to inform strategy, and mobilizing champions to sustain impact. Committed to transforming institutions into trauma-responsive, healing-centered workplaces rooted in dignity, compassion, and justice.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Wellbeing and Engagement Officer
San Mateo Medical Center
11.2023 - Current
- Partnered with senior leaders to integrate human-centered design and neuroscience into workflows, policies, and environments, embedding wellbeing into daily operations for a medium-sized hospital and clinic system with 1800+ employees.
- Launched Well365, a year-round initiative promoting employee wellbeing and engagement through system-wide campaigns, micropractices, and staff engagement events.
- Spearheaded a reimagined engagement survey process, increasing participation and psychological safety while using data to drive leadership accountability and targeted culture change.
- Built and mobilized a cross-department Wellbeing Champion network, fostering peer leadership and continuous feedback loops.
- Embedded wellbeing into organizational infrastructure (e.g., trauma-responsive supervision, reflective practices, and healing-centered meeting design)
- Reduced stigma and improved access to mental health supports through aligned policy changes and communications.
- Engaged executive leaders in systems-based approaches (e.g., Collective Impact) to address burnout and cultivate a culture of compassion and connection.
- Represent SMMC in regional and national wellbeing networks to exchange best practices and sustain innovation.
Program Manager
Santa Clara County Public Health Department
06.2020 - 05.2023
- Led a collective visioning process to design an organizational culture change initiative within the department of 700 employees.
- Led strategic planning process for workforce development and capacity building within the public health department.
- Developed, implemented workforce development assessments; designed strategies to address burnout by centering a trauma-informed, healing-centered approach to workplace wellness; developed program strategies, objectives, and metrics for measuring success.
- Developed and implemented change management plans (e.g. communication, resistance management, and evaluation plans).
- Administered training programs for public health teams using key health equity and racial justice frameworks, instructional design, and adult learning theories.
- Partner with subject matter experts and key stakeholders to develop learning objectives and develop content to address knowledge and skill gaps as identified by training analysis.
- Perform assigned duties as a Disaster Service Worker in response to COVID-19 pandemic including: quality improvement, project management, site lead for COVID-19 testing, and group facilitation.
Program Analyst and Training Specialist
San Mateo County Health, Behavioral Health
02.2016 - 12.2019
- Led professional development, training, and capacity building efforts for the county’s substance abuse prevention and training programs.
- Spearheaded the team’s multicultural organization participation, a strategic initiative to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion goals for the department.
- Conducted community health equity assessments, reviewed relevant literature, and made recommendations.
- Managed contracted program deliverables; procured training subcontractors, monitored, and evaluated performance; ensured compliance with federal and state programmatic and fiscal contract requirements and regulations through activities including budget analyses, desk reviews, and field monitoring.
- Designed and implemented internal systems and policies to enhance and streamline quality improvement and meet performance measures.
- Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
Program Supervisor
San Mateo County Health, Behavioral Health
04.2013 - 03.2016
- Developed, coordinated, and maintained project plans for Office of Diversity and Equity behavioral health programs, including Mental Health First Aid, and Storytelling programs.
- Supervised and coached project staff and volunteers.
- Facilitated trainings, presentations and process groups on various mental health and substance abuse topics.
- Facilitated storytelling workshops for behavioral health clients.
- Conducted outreach and promotion of behavioral health programs.
- Designed and produced health education and health promotion materials.
- Co-Chaired the Diversity and Equity Council, an internal advocacy group of public services professionals.
- Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Office of Diversity & Equity
Patient Services Assistant
San Mateo Medical Center
06.2010 - 03.2013
- Interviewed families for public assistance, insurance programs; directed families to appropriate services; registered and scheduled patients appropriately.
- Coordinated group sessions and events for the Healthy Lifestyles program in the Pediatric/ Teen clinic for obese and overweight patients.
- Facilitated and assisted with case management: assisted with referrals for ancillary services within the county health system as well as outside agencies; established relationships with various agencies.
- Researched policies and drafted suggested guidelines; developed comprehensive staff guidelines for appointment scheduling.
Health Policy and Planning Intern
San Mateo County Health
11.2009 - 04.2010
- Company Overview: Health Policy & Planning Division
- Engaged and worked collaboratively with new and existing community partners from schools, faith-based and community-based organizations, and child care centers on increasing access to healthy nutrition and activity for school-age children.
- Assisted the Public Health Educator by developing effective outreach strategies for the School Wellness, Afterschool and Youth Development Committees.
- Coordinated community workshops; developed and distributed organizational and marketing materials to various community partners including meeting minutes, newsletters, brochures, flyers, handouts, surveys, etc.
- Developed written tools for several committees including evaluation summaries with recommendations and a preliminary policy briefing about local school and community gardens.
- Health Policy & Planning Division
Education
Master of Public Health - Dept of Public Health & Recreation
San Jose State University
01.2022
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences, Community Health Education & Training
California State University East Bay
01.2009
Skills
- Workforce development
- Capacity building
- Equity practices
- Inclusion practices
- Belonging practices
- Strategic thinking
- Critical thinking
- Racial health equity
- Adaptive leadership
- Reflective practice
- Restorative justice
- Healing justice
- Trauma-informed communication
- Conflict resolution
- Strategic planning
Professional Conferences
American Public Health Association 2018 national conference presenter, Shared findings from community assessment regarding impact of anti-immigrant climate on behavioral health of Latinx population in San Mateo County
Certifications And Awards
- Certified Change Management Practitioner, 05/22, Prosci Change Management
- Bertha Kalm Scholarship Recipient, 05/21, A social justice scholarship for graduate students who demonstrate capacity for & commitment to systems change
- Women's Addiction Services Leadership Institute, 05/15, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
- Cultural Humility Facilitator, 05/14, Melanie Tervalon Consulting
Timeline
Staff Wellbeing and Engagement Officer
San Mateo Medical Center
11.2023 - Current
Program Manager
Santa Clara County Public Health Department
06.2020 - 05.2023
Program Analyst and Training Specialist
San Mateo County Health, Behavioral Health
02.2016 - 12.2019
Program Supervisor
San Mateo County Health, Behavioral Health
04.2013 - 03.2016
Patient Services Assistant
San Mateo Medical Center
06.2010 - 03.2013
Health Policy and Planning Intern
San Mateo County Health
11.2009 - 04.2010
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences, Community Health Education & Training
California State University East Bay
Master of Public Health - Dept of Public Health & Recreation
San Jose State University
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