Kristen Spracher-Birtwhistle became President and CEO of United Way of San Joaquin County (UWSJC) in January 2019, ushering in a bold new era for the organization. Under her leadership, UWSJC has launched a dynamic strategic vision grounded in the evolving needs and interests of the communities it serves. Major milestones include the creation of a highly successful Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, the expansion of fiscal sponsorships for emerging and established nonprofits, and a sweeping internal transformation to foster greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kristen also spearheaded a refresh of Board governance and strategy to better meet the social and economic challenges of a post-COVID world.
Before joining UWSJC, Kristen spent 29 years in executive leadership positions with The Permanente Medical Group at Kaiser Permanente — the largest integrated medical group in the nation. She held key roles as Medical Group Administrator, Associate Medical Group Administrator, and Regional Director, where she drove operational excellence across Northern California’s primary and specialty care systems. Kristen also led major initiatives such as the opening of the Allied School of Health Sciences at Stanislaus State, the launch of the Health Career Academy’s Community Partnership Council in Stockton, and the creation of the award-winning Child Abuse Prevention Services Program across the Northern California region.
Throughout her career, Kristen has been a fierce advocate for community health, helping to build clinics on elementary school campuses, pioneering mobile health services, and founding the long-running Women’s Wellness Conference. Her leadership of the La Salud Permanente initiative further demonstrated her commitment to equitable healthcare access.
A champion for women's leadership, Kristen is a founder of Pacific’s Advancing Women’s Leadership Forum, and a recipient of the ATHENA Award, the Susan B. Anthony Award, and University of the Pacific’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Award. She is also the founder of The Eleanor Project, dedicated to advancing women’s causes and mentorship between emerging and established leaders.