Valerie Powell Stafford, FACHE Begins a New Chapter in the San Francisco Bay Area

Relocating for an executive role involves more than changing offices. It also means learning how a region functions, where people gather, which institutions they trust and how local history shapes expectations. 

Valerie Powell Stafford, FACHE will begin serving as senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Greater Southern Alameda Service Area on August 3, 2026. Her move from Connecticut to the San Francisco Bay Area makes community learning an important part of entering the role. 

Getting to Know the Service Area 

Southern Alameda County includes cities and neighborhoods with distinct identities, industries and transportation patterns. Kaiser Permanente’s local network includes medical centers in San Leandro and Fremont, along with medical offices and specialized services in Hayward and Union City. 

The work extends beyond individual facilities. It depends on relationships among members, employees, physicians, labor partners, local officials, nonprofit organizations and community groups. Understanding how those relationships function will provide important context for decisions across the service area. 

Experience Does Not Replace Local Knowledge 

More than 25 years in complex health systems gives her a broad view of hospital operations, physician partnerships, organizational culture and community engagement. That experience can help her identify useful questions, but it cannot provide the answers that come from people who know the region firsthand. 

Joining a new organization also involves learning what is already working well. Leadership does not require changing established practices simply because they were created under someone else. It requires understanding which systems support employees and members, where barriers remain and how decisions affect people across departments and communities. 

Building a Sense of Place 

The move also brings adjustments outside the workplace. Housing, transportation, daily routines and community connections all shape the experience of settling into a new region. 

For Valerie Powell Stafford, FACHE, the transition creates an opportunity to learn both the organization and the San Francisco Bay Area with care. Time spent visiting sites, meeting local partners and listening to employees can help build a clearer picture of the service area and the people it serves. That knowledge will provide a stronger foundation as she steps into the role and becomes part of the communities connected to Kaiser Permanente throughout Southern Alameda County.