Michelle Linares

• 20 years of experience in the health care industry
• Founder and advisor to Latinos in Healthcare Giving Circle with the Latino Community Foundation
• Bachelor’s degree in health sciences from San José State University and a master’s degree in business administration from National University

Michelle Linares serves as senior vice president of workforce engagement and impact, where she leads statewide efforts to embed fairness, inclusion, and responsive care throughout the agency. She partners with internal teams and external collaborators to lead systemic change grounded in shared values and the lived experiences of the communities we represent and serve.

Before joining Pacific Clinics, Michelle spent nearly 20 years at Kaiser Permanente, where she led strategic efforts at the local, regional, and national levels. She focused on enhancing employee engagement, fostering inclusive workplaces, and driving innovation through cross-sector partnerships—all with the goal of improving health outcomes and advancing equity.

Michelle is deeply committed to community and philanthropy. She has played a key role in the Latino Community Foundation’s philanthropy movement, serving as a founder and advisor to the Latinos in Healthcare Giving Circle. She also serves on the national board of the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives (NALHE), is an advisory member of Silicon Valley Latino, and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in health sciences with a minor in Spanish from San José State University and a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on marketing from National University. Her leadership has earned her several accolades, including Kaiser Permanente’s 2025 Best Results Achieved, 2024 Apple Award for Best Learning Culture Influencer, Latino Leaders Magazine’s Rising Star recognition in 2023, and Silicon Valley Latino’s Creo En Ti Champion Award in 2019.