Essential Access Health Announces Shannon Olivieri Hovis as Vice President of Public Affairs
Olivieri Hovis brings extensive experience as a policy leader in California
BERKELEY / LOS ANGELES — Essential Access Health announced today that Shannon Olivieri Hovis, recent director of Reproductive Freedom for All California (NARAL Pro-Choice California), has joined the organization as its new Vice President of Public Affairs.
“Shannon Olivieri Hovis has led the charge on securing major victories to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health services across California, and she is recognized as one of the state’s leading advocates for reproductive freedom,” said Essential Access Health Co-CEO Amy Moy. “Shannon brings extensive policy and public affairs experience and has played a key role in transforming California’s reproductive health access landscape in anticipation of and following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We are excited to have Shannon onboard as Essential Access Health continues to expand our work to ensure access to equitable and high quality sexual and reproductive health for everyone, everywhere.”
“I am deeply honored to join a phenomenal team at an organization that is leading the way to expand access to care in diverse health settings in all corners of California and across the country,” said Olivieri Hovis. “Essential Access Health is at the center of sexual and reproductive health policies, programs and services and plays a unique role in the reproductive health movement in the state and nation. From administering the Title X federal family planning program as well as state programs to ensure equitable abortion access, to leading groundbreaking policy innovation, spearheading best practices in STI prevention, engaging and empowering youth, and training service providers, Essential Access is shaping the future of sexual and reproductive health. Our work is more important than ever.”
As Vice President of Public Affairs, Shannon will serve as a member of the Essential Access Health Executive Leadership Team and oversee public policy, advocacy, strategic communications, and community engagement and outreach. Shannon is a policy expert, political strategist, and passionate LGBTQ leader with more than 15 years of experience as a changemaker in California state and local government, electoral campaigns, the classroom, and mission-driven advocacy. She was the Director of Reproductive Freedom for All California for the past six years, previously working as a senior policy advisor to Attorney General Kamala Harris, in the State Legislature, and in the Sacramento Mayor’s office.
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Essential Access Health advances reproductive equity and champions quality sexual and reproductive health care for all through funding, advocacy, research, training for providers and healthcare professionals, and youth and community empowerment and education. We work to ensure that everyone, everywhere can get the care they want and need, where and how they need it, with dignity and respect.