CHA's advocacy and public policy department added two employees this summer.
Leila Nimatallah began work June 8 as CHA director of government relations and Jennifer Maez began June 22 as CHA associate director of advocacy and engagement. Both work in CHA's Washington office.
Nimatallah has a background in advocacy and global health. Most recently, she worked in advocacy and mobilization for First Focus on Children/Campaign for Children, a bipartisan advocacy organization that seeks to make children the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Previously, Nimatallah worked at Catholic Relief Services, IMA World Health, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance and Global Action for Children.
Maez led advocacy and education outreach programs for Catholic Relief Services. This includes roles in giving and engagement, mass marketing, constituent advocacy and with the organization's Rice Bowl campaign. She also has worked with NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and Jesuit Volunteers Corps.
CHA's advocacy and public policy department's efforts focus on initiatives to strengthen the viability of the Catholic health ministry as not-for-profit providers and support the ministry's emphasis on creating a more just and compassionate healthcare system.