Shaina Goodman, Amanda Ponzar and Valerie L. Rochester join leading health justice advocacy organization 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
June 1, 2026  
Contact: Jack Cardinal, jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org   

BOSTON, MA — Community Catalyst, the national health justice organization, today announced several key leadership hirings as the organization expands its policy and advocacy footprint heading into a vital period for health care access, affordability and accountability. 

Shaina Goodman has joined the organization as its new Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, Amanda Ponzar is the new Chief Enterprise and Communications Officer, and Valerie L. Rochester is the new Chief Program Officer. Additionally, Dr. Brandon G. Wilson has been promoted to Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff after leading the organization’s efforts on health system innovation and caregiving for several years.   

“I’m thrilled that Shaina, Amanda and Valerie decided to join Community Catalyst as we work to make the American health system more affordable, accessible and accountable to the communities it serves,” said Linda Goler Blount, MPH, President & CEO of Community Catalyst. “Additionally, being able to move Dr. Wilson into a thought leadership and advisory role formalizes the critical work he’s been providing myself and the organization throughout the recent leadership transition. All bring a rare combination of communications, organizing and policy expertise that will position Community Catalyst as a leader in the next generation of health care reform.”     

A leader and policy expert with deep expertise, Shaina Goodman previously served as Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Morgan Health, a division of JPMorgan Chase focused on improving health care access, affordability, and equity in employer-sponsored insurance. Prior, she led the development and execution of the National Partnership for Women and Families’ reproductive health and rights portfolio, including in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs. 

Prior to joining Community Catalyst, Amanda Ponzar held senior communications and marketing roles with leading global nonprofits, including United Way Worldwide, American Red Cross National Headquarters, and a national health charity, as well as corporate positions with The Franklin Mint and Swank Motion Pictures. In 2021, she founded The Social Impact Group, a growing network of nearly 100 corporate citizenship leaders representing major global companies across healthcare, technology, finance, retail, sports, and entertainment.  

With over two decades of experience as a public health strategist both nationally and locally, Valerie L. Rochester joins Community Catalyst from The Women’s Collective in Washington, D.C., where she served as Executive Director. Prior, Valerie was Chief Health Equity & Impact Officer with CHC: Creating Healthier Communities and as Chief Program Officer at AIDS United, a national HIV advocacy, policy and grantmaking organization in Washington, D.C. Throughout her career, her work has centered on engaging with communities to help bring about improved health outcomes; driving programmatic, capacity building and grantmaking portfolios, and directing resources to communities most affected by health inequities.  

A seasoned public health executive and enterprise strategist, in his new role Dr. Brandon G. Wilson will partner closely with President and CEO Linda Goler Blount, MPH, to advance enterprise strategy and organizational impact in support of Community Catalyst’s mission to build a more equitable and just health system. His prior work at Community Catalyst saw him holding senior leadership roles shaping high‑impact initiatives across caregiving and aging, community‑driven public health, and health system innovation. He also held key positions at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including the CMS Innovation Center and Office of Minority Health. 

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About Community Catalyst  
Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for racial equity and health justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and healthcare are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org.