Health Federation of Philadelphia (HFP) is a mission-driven, nonprofit public health organization whose goal is to advance population health by promoting access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive and equitable health and human services. Stemming from its founding in 1983 as a membership organization of Community Health Centers, HFP continues to partner with its members to improve the quality and accessibility of comprehensive, coordinated primary health care, including behavioral support, for vulnerable populations. HFP supports their members with advocacy, professional and program development, individualized consultation, and opportunities for shared learning. Over time, HFP has developed solutions to address unmet population health needs and disparities by identifying and testing new approaches in collaboration with other health and human services organizations, including government health agencies. HFP's areas of expertise include community-oriented, integrated primary care; quality improvement; health information technology and data management; trauma-informed practice; infectious and chronic disease treatment and control; and early childhood development. HFP's efforts to improve community health and well-being have been supported by philanthropic institutions and by government agencies such as the Health Resources and Services Agency (HRSA) and Administration for Children and Families. As HFP's experience in community-based health care has grown, they have increasingly provided professional development and other capacity building technical assistance services that help other organizations operate more efficiently and effectively. HFP shares their knowledge about best practices through customized consulting; administrative and technological support; and advocating for policies that support their partners' work throughout the Philadelphia region and far beyond. Mission: The Health Federation of Philadelphia promotes community health by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive health and human services. The Health Federation of Philadelphia serves as a keystone supporting a network of Community Health Centers as well as the broader base of public and private-sector organizations that deliver healthcare, public health and human services to vulnerable populations. We take a collaborative approach to promoting health by: Improving access to and quality of healthcare Developing stronger linkages for better coordination of care Identifying, testing and implementing solutions to health disparities Providing training and technical assistance to help other organizations operate more efficiently and effectively to meet community needs Learn more about the Health Federation of Philadelphia at The Opportunity The Health Federation of Philadelphia (HFP) seeks a visionary, collaborative, and mission-driven Chief Executive Officer to guide the organization through its next chapter of impact and growth. For more than four decades, HFP has served as a trusted partner and convening force in advancing healthier communities across the Philadelphia region by working at the intersection of public health, primary care, behavioral health, workforce development, family and youth services, and human services. HFP is recognized for its commitment to health equity, innovation, partnership, and measurable community impact. As HFP prepares for a leadership transition following a long-tenured and respected CEO, the organization seeks a leader who can honor its legacy while helping define an ambitious future. The next CEO will steward a complex, mission-driven organization, strengthen its position as a respected regional thought leader, expand strategic partnerships and funding opportunities, and ensure that HFP remains a catalyst for improving health outcomes and advancing equity across diverse communities. The next Chief Executive Officer will inherit an organization with a strong reputation, deep community relationships, talented staff, and a broad portfolio of programs and services. At the same time, the organization faces an increasingly complex policy and funding environment that requires strategic focus, adaptive leadership, and disciplined stewardship. The CEO will be responsible for navigating a changing landscape that includes evolving public policy, government funding uncertainty, workforce challenges, and increasing demand for community-centered health solutions. Success will require balancing continuity and innovation, building trust across stakeholders, investing in people and culture, and ensuring that HFP remains financially sustainable and mission-focused. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a highly respected organization whose work touches nearly every aspect of community health and well-being across the Philadelphia region. The next CEO will have the chance to shape HFP's future, strengthen partnerships that improve lives, advance health equity, support a talented and mission-driven workforce, and help define the next era of public health leadership for the communities HFP serves.
The Role:
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will provide strategic, operational, and cultural leadership for HFP. The CEO will collaborate closely with a staff of about 80, board members, community partners, government agencies, funders, and healthcare leaders to advance the organization's mission and long-term vision, overseeing a budget of approximately $55M.
Key responsibilities include
Strategic Leadership and Vision:- Develop and articulate a compelling vision for HFP's future that builds upon its history and strengths.
- Lead strategic planning efforts that align programs, people, partnerships, and resources around clear priorities.
- Anticipate and respond effectively to changes in public policy, funding, healthcare delivery, technology, and community need.
- Position HFP to remain relevant, innovative, and impactful in a rapidly evolving environment. Organizational Leadership
- Lead a complex, decentralized organization with multiple programs, locations, funding streams, and stakeholder groups.
- Foster collaboration across divisions and sites while reducing silos and strengthening organizational alignment.
- Build leadership capacity throughout the organization through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
- Ensure that internal systems, infrastructure, and decision-making processes effectively support organizational excellence and mission delivery.
Culture and Talent:
Preserve and strengthen HFP's employee-centered culture, characterized by trust, flexibility, respect, accountability, and care for staff. Lead with visibility, accessibility, empathy, and transparency.
Support staff engagement, retention, and development during a period of organizational transition and growth.
Create opportunities for learning, collaboration, and shared leadership across the organization.
Partnerships, Advocacy, and External Leadership:
Serve as HFP's principal ambassador and spokesperson.
Strengthen existing relationships while cultivating new partnerships across government, healthcare, philanthropy, community organizations, and the private sector.
Elevate HFP's visibility and influence as a convener, advocate, and thought partner.
Advance public policies and collaborative initiatives that improve health outcomes and promote health equity.
Financial and Operational Stewardship:
Ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization through responsible financial management and strategic resource allocation.
Diversify revenue sources by strengthening development efforts and expanding relationships with foundations, corporations, healthcare organizations, and other funding partners.
Oversee organizational performance, compliance, risk management, and operational effectiveness.
Use data and evidence to inform decisions, demonstrate impact, and strengthen organizational outcomes.
Candidate Profile:
HFP's next CEO will be a grounded, collaborative, and principled nonprofit executive who combines public-health credibility with a genuine commitment to people and community. This leader will respect the organization's history, earn trust through listening and action, and bring the clarity, relationships, and responsible stewardship needed to help HFP thrive in its next chapter. The next CEO will bring the following five competencies to HFP's mission, people, partnerships, and future: Mission Commitment and Public Health Expertise The CEO will place HFP's mission and commitment to health equity at the center of strategy, resource decisions, partnerships, and organizational priorities. The successful candidate will bring a record of advancing public health, health equity, or community well-being through measurable action and impact, together with an understanding of how public health, healthcare delivery, government funding, and human-service systems intersect. They will connect HFP's broad portfolio to a clear purpose and make values-based choices on behalf of the communities HFP and its partners serve.
Vision, Learning, and Adaptability:
The CEO will listen and learn with humility, establish a focused direction, and help HFP remain relevant, independent, and responsive as community needs and external conditions evolve. They will translate complexity into a small number of clear, shared priorities; anticipate shifts in policy, funding, technology, and community needs; and align people and programs around change while preserving effective work and avoiding unnecessary disruption.
People, Culture, and Staff Development:
The CEO will nurture HFP's caring, employee-centered culture while fostering accountability, collaboration, learning, and growth across the organization. Accessible, empathetic, and highly visible, they will lead through listening, transparency, respect, and trust. They will develop and empower staff, support experienced program leaders, and plan thoughtfully for succession. By building meaningful connections across roles, programs, and locations, the CEO will strengthen a shared organizational culture and be recognized as a trusted and engaged leader—one whose presence and influence are felt both throughout HFP and across the broader public-health and nonprofit community. Partnership, Advocacy, and Public TrustThe CEO will deepen HFP's relationships, strengthen its public voice, and bring people together around shared goals for healthier and more equitable communities. They will have a record of building authentic, non-transactional partnerships across government, healthcare, philanthropy, and community organizations, as well as the integrity and judgment to navigate public policy, funding, and competing interests while maintaining trust. They will position HFP as a respected convener, advocate, and thought partner locally, regionally, and beyond.
Organizational Stewardship and Sustainability:
The CEO will care for HFP's people, programs, partnerships, and resources while strengthening the organization's capacity to sustain and deepen its mission over time. They will bring experience leading a complex nonprofit with multiple programs, funding streams, grants, contracts, and external partnerships, along with the financial and operational judgment to strengthen infrastructure, diversify revenue, use data well, and support long-term sustainability. Their approach to organizational change will build on HFP's legacy, empower program expertise, and center transparent decisions in service of mission and impact.
Compensation and Benefits:
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $305,000 - $345,000 with a generous benefits package. The exact salary that will be offered to the CEO will be determined based on a consideration of the successful candidate's skills, experience, and geography and aligned with HFP's compensation policies. Contact DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Kim Dukes, Neysa Dillon Brown, and Amber Brown. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential. DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote community health by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive health and human services. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status. This commitment applies to all aspects of the Health Federation of Philadelphia's employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion. About DSG | KoyaDSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation's premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world. DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of "America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms" and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams. Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.
