SWACH Names Nichole Peppers as Executive Director
The Southwest Washington Accountable Communities for Health Board of Trustees has named Nichole Peppers as the organization’s Executive Director effective December 1, 2021. Founded as one of nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACH) in Washington, SWACH works in Clark, Klickitat and Skamania counties on projects including Medicaid transformation, opioid crisis response, COVID-19 support, HealthConnect HUB, and other public health needs.
Most recently, Peppers has been serving as the HealthConnect Network Manager for SWACH. Prior to joining SWACH in 2020, Nichole was the Director of Safe Choice Programs for YWCA Clark County. She previously taught coursework at Oregon State Penitentiary and volunteered with Clark County Juvenile Court for several years. She holds a graduate degree in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University. Nichole is a mission-driven and collaborative leader with experience leading diverse teams with an equity lens.
“I am so pleased to announce Nichole as SWACH’s next Executive Director,” said Dawn Tolotti, SWACH Board President. “Nichole is deeply rooted in the community and with her focus on mission and equity, I am confident in her leadership ability to fulfill SWACH’s vision of ensuring equitable access to those services that support physical, behavioral, economic, and social well-being for our community members.”
Peppers will succeed Alanna Hein, who has served as the Interim Executive Director of SWACH since May 2021.
“I would like to thank Alanna for all of her support during her interim engagement,” said Tolotti. “Her commitment to the organization and community has been greatly appreciated and she has helped position SWACH well for the future. Alanna will continue with SWACH until December 1, 2021. I would also like to express my gratitude to the directors and staff of SWACH. They have remained steadfast in their commitment to the work and the communities we serve during this time of change and transition,"
Peppers will oversee an exciting era for the organization. SWACH is presently engaged in meaningful and community-driven work, including a $1 million grant to help increase COVID-19 vaccine access in BIPOC, housing insecure, and medically marginalized populations, as well as programs addressing community paramedicine, Opioid Use Disorder, and more.
“I am honored to be selected as Executive Director of SWACH,” said Peppers. “A lifelong Southwest Washington community member, advocate and mother, the work of our ACH is deeply important to me. As we enter a pivotal time in our community recovery efforts, health access and equity has never been more important. I look forward to working with the staff, Board of Trustees and community partners as SWACH deepens its work and impact across the region.”