Lisa Sanders

As Executive Director, Lisa Sanders drives the American Heart Association’s (AHA) vision and operational plan for the Health Care by Food Initiative. With more than 20 years of experience in the public health and policy field, Sanders brings expertise in advancing health system interventions, evidence-based policies, and collective impact strategies that improve population health. She brings extensive experience in organizational revenue generation, new business development and resource mobilization, including a strong track record of securing philanthropic contributions for capacity building and short-and-long term program implementation. Her approach to diversifying revenue streams and connecting capital investments to community needs has supported many small and rural healthcare systems in building operational efficiencies, sustainable funding practices, and infrastructure resiliency.

Sanders previously served as the Senior Consultant for Access to Care policies and Medicaid Issue Specialist with the AHA’s National Advocacy department. In this role, she provided support across federal, state, and local public policy efforts. Prior to joining the AHA, she served as the Director of Chronic Disease for the Mississippi State Department of Health overseeing Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Diabetes Prevention and Control, and Comprehensive Cancer programs.