Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Tricia Gray
Chief Operating Officer
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Tricia Gray serves as the Chief Operating Officer at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. She provides leadership oversight for hospital operations to include: ancillary and contract services.
Previous Experience
Previously, Tricia served as the Associate Administrator with Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Ca. She provided leadership oversight for Pharmacy, Lab, Acute Rehab Unit, Cath Lab, Outpatient Wound Care, Environmental Services (EVS), Security, and Food and Nutritional Services.
Education
Tricia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development from the University of North Texas in 2012. She received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman’s University in 2014. Tricia also earned her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from George Washington University. She is a Fellow at the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Additionally, she is also a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).
Community Service
Tricia is very active in the community. She is Governing Board President for Women in Health Administration (WHA). She also served as a Member-at-Large for the ACHE SoCal Chapter in 2024.
WHA Participation
Tricia is a 4th year member of the Governing Board for Women in Health Care Administration of SoCal.
president-Elect
Deanne Lamb
Executive Director of Ambulatory Clinic Operations, City of Hope
Founder & CEO, DeeCodeHer Leadership
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Deanne serves as Executive Director of Ambulatory Clinic Operations at City of Hope, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California. In this role, she leads multidisciplinary outpatient clinics and treatment services, partnering closely with clinical and operational leaders to expand access, improve efficiency and support the delivery of compassionate, high-quality oncology care.
Previous Experience
With more than two decades of healthcare leadership experience across New York and California, Deanne has built a career grounded in service, curiosity and continuous growth. Prior to joining City of Hope in 2023, she served as Associate Director of the Patient and Family Support Program at the Samuel Oschin Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai, where she helped expand supportive care services across the cancer enterprise.
Earlier in her career, Deanne held leadership roles at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and spent over 19 years at Weill Cornell Medicine, gaining broad experience across clinical operations, finance and research administration.
Deanne is known for her collaborative leadership style, her ability to build trust and her commitment to creating inclusive spaces where diverse perspectives are valued, heard and aligned. She is energized by problem-solving, ideation and connection and finds purpose in developing high-performing teams, mentoring emerging leaders and creating environments where people feel seen, supported and empowered to do their best work.
Education
Deanne is currently pursuing a Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) at Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. She holds a Master of Science in Community Health from Long Island University-Brooklyn, a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from St. John’s University. Deanne is also a Certified Professional Coach and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
WHA Participation
Deanne joined Women in Health Administration in 2024, and served on the Marketing and Communications Committee, Membership Committee and Programs Council. She joined the Board of Directors in 2025 as Co-Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee.
SECRETARY
Laura Carmona
VP Managed Care, Prospect Medical Holdings
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Laura Carmona is currently the Vice President of Managed Care, Coordinated Regional Care for Prospect Medical Holdings/Alta Hospitals System responsible for leading the managed care contracting team in negotiations with health plans, hospitals, and ancillary providers. Laura has been with Prospect for 4 years developing strategies to increase growth for both FFS (all lines of business – Commercial, Worker’s Compensation, Medicare Advantage and Medi-Cal) and capitated business within an integrated delivery system “IDS” focused on population health management for Medi-Cal patients which has grown from under 30,000 members to now include 140,000 members during the past 4 years. Laura is especially proud that shortly after joining Prospect, she spearheaded and, also obtained grant funding for Alta Hospital System’s participation and implementation of Health Information Exchange “HIE” programs to improve the quality of healthcare delivery for all of our patients. Laura is also currently President of the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association which provides support for the paramedic department, foster care group home and student exchange program for Hermosa Beach’s sister city, Loreto, located in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Previous Experience
Laura is a result driven healthcare executive and service organization leader with over 35 years of experience in various roles in both the for-profit and not-for- profit sectors, which includes developmental disability providers, health insurance companies, medical clinics, hospitals and community service organizations.
Education
Laura completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Psychology and Women’s Studies in 1984 from Pitzer College of the Claremont Colleges, internship and coursework within the Master’s in Public Administration program at San Diego State University during 1985 to 1986.
WHA Participation
Laura has been a WHA member since 2023 and is the new WHA Board Secretary beginning in 2024.
FINANCE co-CHAIR
Melissa Khy
Director of Operations for the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence Research and the Institute for Precision Health at UCI Health
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Melissa Khy is the Director of Operations for the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence Research and the Institute for Precision Health at UCI Health. She has been with UC Irvine since 2016 and brings extensive experience in healthcare operations, finance, research administration, and strategic program development.
At UC Irvine, Melissa oversees day-to-day research, financial, and educational operations for enterprise-wide AI and precision health initiatives. She serves as a key operational advisor to cross-functional clinical, research, and technical teams, supporting short- and long-term strategic planning, budget management, policy implementation, compliance, and personnel administration. Her work has supported the launch of several transformative initiatives, including the Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency program, UC system’s first dedicated healthcare AI center, the Institute for Precision Health, and UCI Health Operational Intelligence Platform, an on-premise generative AI platform designed to optimize hospital operations using Epic EHR data.
Previous Experience
Earlier in her career, Melissa served as Associate Manager of Development Services at the Autry Museum of the American West, where she partnered closely with Advancement leadership to manage fundraising operations, donor data systems, and gift stewardship. In this role, she oversaw gifts and pledges, supported strategic fundraising initiatives, and contributed to prospect research, data analysis, and long-range development planning, providing her with a strong foundation in nonprofit financial stewardship and governance.
Education
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with minors in Digital Arts and Business Management from the University of California, Irvine. She completed the Women’s Leadership Program at Yale University and is currently pursuing a Master of Health Administration (MHA) at Cornell University.
WHA Participation
As the 2026 Finance Co-Chair, Melissa is committed to supporting WHA’s mission through financial oversight and strategy, helping ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability and continued impact in advancing women leaders in healthcare.
FINANCE co-CHAIR
Kiara Scolaro
Regional Controller, CORE Linen Services
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Kiara is the Regional Controller for the West Region of CORE Linen Services, a healthcare linen processing company. Kiara’s responsibilities include budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, and revenue/expense management. She drives sustainable growth by maintaining financial oversight and analyzing key performance indicators that enable the company to deliver high-quality services efficiently.
Previous Experience
Kiara has a strong foundation in the hospitality industry. During her time in hospitality, she honed her skills in operations management, customer service excellence, and team leadership, contributing to the success of several high-performing teams. In 2021, Kiara transitioned into the healthcare industry, bringing her operational expertise to a new field. This shift allowed her to apply her knowledge of efficiency, process optimization, and service delivery to support critical healthcare operations, particularly in the specialized area of laundry processing. Her diverse background showcases her adaptability and commitment to excellence across industries.
Education
Kiara received her BS in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona.
WHA Participation
Kiara has been an active member of WHA since 2024. She joined the Board of Directors in 2025.
Membership co-chair
Hoda Assadian
Vice President, Operations, UCI Health
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Hoda Assadian currently serves as the Vice President of Operations at UCI Health, overseeing the daily operations of its flagship 459-bed academic medical center in Orange and leading the activation of a new 144-bed hospital in Irvine, set to open in 2025. In her role, she provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple service lines, partnering closely with clinical and administrative teams to optimize patient flow, drive efficiencies, and enhance care delivery. Her focus on performance improvement, patient experience, and system integration has supported UCI Health’s continued growth and commitment to academic excellence and high-quality care.
Previous Experience
Prior to joining UCI Health, Hoda served as the Regional Vice President of Operations for the North Coast Network at Adventist Health, overseeing six hospitals in Northern California with a combined 350 beds and $900 million in net patient revenue. Under her leadership, the network made significant gains in patient safety, experience, and market growth. She drove service line expansion, advanced digital access initiatives, and implemented daily management systems that improved financial and operational performance.
Earlier in her career at Adventist Health, Hoda held various leadership roles, including Vice President of Operations at Adventist Health St. Helena, where she helped the hospital achieve a CMS 5-Star rating and Leapfrog A designation. Her work as Regional Director and Director of Performance Excellence was marked by successful enterprise-wide improvement initiatives, strategic planning, and measurable gains in operational efficiency and quality outcomes.
Education
Hoda Assadian holds a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a focus on Healthcare Management from the University of Southern California. She is also certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt and holds a Master Change Management Certification, reflecting her commitment to continuous improvement and organizational transformation.
Membership co-chair
Jill Martin
Executive VP, Cedars Sinai Medical Network
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Jill Martin is the executive vice president of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Network, a clinically integrated network of physicians managed through the operations of Cedars-Sinai Medical Care Foundation and the multi-specialty medical groups contracted with Cedars-Sinai through professional service agreements. The Medical Network was founded by primary care physicians and now employs physicians that represent most medical and surgical specialties. The Medical
Network groups serve the communities of Los Angeles County.
Previous Experience
Jill joined Cedars-Sinai in 1997 as the Medical Network’s director of finance, having previously worked in financial roles at Ernst & Young and Inova Health System. She was promoted to vice president of finance in 1999. In addition to overseeing financial management of the Medical Network, she led numerous initiatives to increase the capabilities of the Medical Network’s information systems to enhance evidence-based clinical and financial decisions. She was also responsible for the Medical Network’s physician recruitment, physician practice acquisitions, managed care operations, human resources, risk management and compliance. In 2016, Jill was promoted to senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Medical Network, reflecting increased responsibilities as the Medical Network grew significantly. With her colleagues on the Medical Network leadership team, she led the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic and financial plan that has positioned the Medical Network to successfully meet the challenges of value-based care.
Education
Jill graduated from the University of Richmond in 1991 as a Certified Public Accountant.
WHA Participation
Jill is active in the Women in Healthcare Administration of Southern California and was awarded Woman of the Year in 2022. She joined the Board of Directors in 2024.
SPONSORSHIP CO-CHAIR
Joanne Laguna-Kennedy
Vice President, Hospital Operations and Chief Operating Officer at Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital.
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Joanne Laguna-Kennedy, MSN, RN, CENP, FACHE serves as Vice President, Hospital Operations and Chief Operating Officer at Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital.
Previous Experience
A trusted and accomplished leader, Joanne has dedicated over 20 years to advancing healthcare excellence and is widely recognized for her ability to build collaborative, high-performing teams while driving measurable improvements in quality and safety and fostering cultures of trust and engagement. Joanne brings deep expertise in clinical care, nursing leadership, hospital operations, and strategic transformation. She began her Cedars-Sinai journey nearly 14 years ago at the flagship Medical Center as Associate Director of the Neurosurgery/Neurosciences ICU Unit and rose through the leadership ranks to become Executive Director of Nursing. In 2018, she was promoted to Vice President, Hospital Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital before assuming her current role as Chief Operating Officer in 2021.
Education
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), Joanne is committed to advancing quality, safety, and community trust in healthcare delivery.
WHA Participation
Joanne joined the Board of Directors in 2025 as Sponsorships Co-Chair.
SPONSORSHIP CO-CHAIR
Diane Martin
Managing Partner, Macan & Company
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Diane Martin is the Managing Partner of Macan & Co., a marketing and communications advisory network dedicated to bridging the gaps to advance strategic initiatives, fostering growth and innovation in transformative brands, with a focus on maximizing impact across diverse markets. Additionally, she chairs the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red and serves on the board of the Barry University School of Business. Diane is also a published author and dynamic speaker, having presented at notable venues such as the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism, and SHSMD Connections. Her presentation topics include AI for healthcare marketers, MarCom operational strategies, and leadership transformation.
Previous Experience
With 20 years of experience in business management, marketing, and communications, Diane’s expertise spans healthcare systems, academic medical centers, health plans, education, life sciences, for-profit and non-profit sectors, and entrepreneurship. Recognized among Women Worth Watching in Leadership by Profiles in Diversity Journal and a recipient of the Telly Award for digital storytelling, Diane has held leadership and consultative roles at organizations including Stanford Health Care, Dignity Health/CommonSpirit, and Hoag. As Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, she played a pivotal role in the rebranding and digital transformation of Emanate Health, launching its first Cancer Center in the San Gabriel Valley. Diane was named among Women of Influence — Health Care by the Los Angeles Business Journal for her exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Her international career began in Florida, encompassing strategic conferences, market intelligence, and media relations across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Education
Diane’s educational journey reflects her growth, curiosity, and commitment to community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Barry University and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis on global business and Asian perspectives from the University of Redlands. Her graduate studies took her to Japan and China, where she gained insights into cross-cultural collaboration. She also earned a certification from the Stanford University School of Business, deepening her understanding of organizational transformation, leadership, and strategy. Additionally, Diane is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt by The Joint Commission, emphasizing her dedication to quality and continuous improvement.
WHA Participation
Diane became a WHA member in 2024. She joined the Board of Directors in 2025 as Sponsorships Co-Chair and is thrilled to advance the mission through meaningful partnerships.
EVENTS CO-CHAIR
Cari Mitter
Client Executive, SodexoMagic
Click for Bio
EVENTS CO-CHAIR
Valentine McCollister
Vice President of Business Development for Aramark Healthcare+
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Valentine is the Vice President of Business Development for the West Region with Aramark Healthcare+. Valentine’s responsibilities include steering all aspects of new and horizontal business and strategy development, focusing on small single hospital locations to large health systems. She cultivates and nurtures relationships with clients ranging from supply chain to the C-suite, establishing a strong network and bringing awareness to the Aramark brand and their seven lines of business. Daily, she administers end-to-end activities involved in planning and executing strategy, researching potential partnerships, identifying critical business issues, and developing customized proposals for clients.
Previous Experience
Valentine has over 20 years of business development success and has spent the last 13 years in healthcare support services. She has been fortunate enough to work for the industry’s two largest providers in this space.
Education
Valentine received her BS in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
WHA Participation
2024 is Valentine’s inaugural year with WHA and she is thrilled to be a part of the sisterhood!
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIR
Lerenda J. Geoffroy
Founder, J. Geoffroy Consulting
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Previous Experience
Lerenda brings more than a decade of leadership experience across acute, post-acute, ambulatory, and academic medical settings. She has served in senior executive roles, including Interim Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at University of Cincinnati Health, where she guided systemwide alignment of post-acute and ambulatory services and strengthened patient transfer processes through data-driven collaboration. As Chief Executive Officer of Kindred Hospital Rancho Cucamonga, she led hospital operations, achieved the organization’s highest quality designation (5K status), exceeded financial budget performance year over year, and fostered a culture rooted in teamwork, inclusion, and patient-centered care. She also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer at Kindred Hospital Seattle Northgate, overseeing multi-site operations while expanding market access and elevating both financial and clinical performance. Earlier in her career, Lerenda held Executive Fellow and Administrator roles across Kindred Hospitals in Los Angeles, San Diego, Paramount, and Rancho Cucamonga, experiences that shaped her commitment to operational excellence, compassionate leadership, and equitable access to care.
Education
Lerenda holds a Master of Health Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Florida A&M University and is also Six Sigma Green Belt certified.
WHA Participation
Lerenda is an active member of Women in Healthcare Administration, where she supports efforts to elevate women’s leadership, create meaningful professional connections, and strengthen the pipeline of women advancing in healthcare. Lerenda serves as member of the Nominations Committee, Marketing & Communications Committee Member, and now Marketing & Communications Co-Chair. She values the community, collaboration, and shared purpose that WHA fosters.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIR
Liliana Viamari
Director, Communications & Marketing, Public Relations Department, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Liliana Viamari is a seasoned communications and marketing executive with over 15 years of experience. Her expertise spans public affairs, digital campaign management, crisis communication, executive thought leadership, and data-driven marketing strategies, making her a valuable asset in driving organizational growth and stakeholder engagement. As the current Communications & Marketing Director at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, she leads corporate and internal communications/marketing strategies and crisis management protocols while fostering innovation through emerging digital technologies.
Previous Experience
Previously, as Marketing Director at OneLegacy, Liliana developed comprehensive marketing and operations frameworks for 2 different departments, enhancing brand awareness and increasing department revenue. Her experience also includes executive roles at Vision Share, where she increased medical device distribution by 38% through strategic marketing initiatives, and Tissue Banks International/Doheny Eye Bank, where she served as Executive Director and successfully led cross-functional teams.
Education
Liliana holds an MBA from University of California at Irvine and a BA in Psychology from University of Southern California.
WHA Participation
While serving as Communications Board Co-Chair for Women in Health Administration (WHA), she hopes to champion innovation in healthcare communications and empower other women to do the same.
Member-at-Large
Karen Ochoa
Director of Health Equity Programs and Operations, Hospital Association of Southern California
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Karen Ochoa is the Director of Health Equity Programs and Operations at Communities Lifting Communities (CLC) is a Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) division. In her current role, Karen leads and manages the development and implementation of health equity
initiatives and strategies with hospital health systems. She leads and supports hospital/health system members in supplier diversity, multi-stakeholder collaboratives, and birth equity to create a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and innovation to expand health equity best practices. Karen is passionate about advancing and transforming the health care sector by focusing on health equity, social justice, and sustainability issues.
Previous Experience
As an Affiliate Professor at Antioch University-Los Angeles, she has mentored students in the Urban Sustainability Fieldwork Program by applying academic and professional expertise to real-world projects and challenges. Before joining CLC, Karen served as the Education Manager at HASC for 15 years. Karen is also the co-founder of the L.A. Co-op Lab, a collective building L.A’s capacity for worker ownership as a pathway toward a more equitable and democratic economy.
Education
Karen holds a master’s degree in urban sustainability and is a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity
Professional (NDCCP).
Professional Affiliations
Karen serves on the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
WHA Participation
Karen has been a member of WHA since 2024. This will be her first year serving on the WHA Board.
Member-at-Large
Dr. Diane Glasser
Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs Northridge Hospital
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Dr. Diana Glasser serves as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center. She brings more than a decade of healthcare leadership, most recently as CMO at Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas. A board-certified OB-GYN and minimally invasive Gynecological Surgeon, Dr. Glasser combines her clinical background with an executive MBA from UCLA Anderson, offering a strong balance of medical expertise and strategic vision.
At Northridge Hospital, she oversees clinical operations, strategic planning, and physician engagement. She has demonstrated success in enhancing collaboration, including measurable improvements in physician engagement, and her experience spans quality improvement, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and risk management.
Previous Experience
Dr. Glasser has also contributed to national initiatives through service on the HCA Enterprise Obstetrics Steering Committee and the various roles within the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her leadership is dedicated to advancing patient-centered, outcomes-driven care and strengthening Northridge Hospital’s mission of serving the diverse health needs of the Los Angeles community.
Education
She earned an Executive MBA as a Forte Fellow from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and completed her Doctor of Medicine degree at Tecnológico de Monterrey. She went on to complete a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery at the Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at Stanford Hospital.
WHA Participation
Dr. Glasser has been a member of WHA since 2025. She joined the Board of Directors in 2026.
Member-at-Large
Kennyle Johnson
Chief of Staff, Wayne County Michigan
Click for Bio
Current Employment
Kennyle serves as the Health, Human and Veteran Services Chief of Staff of Wayne County Health Department in Detroit, Michigan where she deploys forward-thinking strategies, deep relationship building, as well as influence, systematic improvement, project management and resource allocation to streamline end-to-end ops and maximize positive community impact.
Previous Experience
Kennyle’s core body of professional specialties range from not-for-profit leadership, compliance, service initiatives management, to C-level operations and continuous improvements. She is widely regarded for her propensity in developing and implementing program solutions, and has paved a history of influence and impact, directly cultivating company growth throughout her career.
Education
Kennyle completed her undergraduate at the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Public Policy. Kennyle holds a Master’s in Public Health from George Washington University.
WHA Participation
Kennyle has been a member of WHA since 2023. She joined the Board of Directors in 2024.