Chet Hewitt is president and CEO of Sierra Health Foundation and is CEO of The Center, its nonprofit intermediary. Since beginning his tenure in 2007, he has focused the Foundation and Center investments on \ addressing the social determinants of health through a racial justice and equity framework.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Center spearheaded public and private partnerships to prevent the spread of the virus and encourage vaccination among those disproportionately impacted, all while supporting community members and organizations most impacted. In sum, The Center's COVID-19 portfolio totaled more than $113 million dollars and involved over 240 community based organizations that reached over 11 million Californians.

As the pandemic subsides, Hewitt is focused on recovery with the launch of CEMI – the California Economic Mobilization Initiative – to assist nonprofits in building their knowledge and capacity. CEMI will equip community leaders to participate in and direct federal, state and local climate-resilient economic development initiatives.

Before joining the Foundation, Hewitt served as the director of Alameda County's Social Services Agency and associate director for the Rockefeller Foundation in New York. He has received several national honors, including the Annie E. Casey Foundation Child and Family Leaders Fellowship, Child Welfare Administrator of the Year, and the Congressman Robert T. Matsui Community Service Award. In 2021, Hewitt was elected to the National Academy of Public Administrators in recognition of his contributions to public service. He joined Public Policy Institute of California's Board of directors in 2016 and was recently named Chair of the Board. He is a frequent lecturer on philanthropy and public sector leadership and advises localities across the nation on issues related to the transformation of public systems and empowerment of communities