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Jake Williams (him/his) has led Healthier Colorado from the organization’s founding in 2014. During his tenure, Healthier Colorado has become the state’s largest health advocacy organization, with over 200,000 members. Jake led the founding of Colorado’s Health Capitol, a collaborative workspace that is now home to dozens of mission-aligned nonprofits alongside Healthier Colorado. He also led the development of a non-profit canvassing organization known as Open Answer and the formation of an innovative investment vehicle called Healthier Focus Fund.
Jake brought experience from a variety of advocacy sectors with him to Healthier Colorado’s helm. His work included helping the Gill Foundation in their fight for LGBTQ legal equality, and aiding the Walton Family Foundation’s efforts to preserve the Colorado River. Jake also directed campaigns for the Western Conservation Foundation, where he activated diverse voices, including Latinos, businesses and farmers, to help protect the West’s land, air and water. On behalf of the Service Employees International Union, he led legislative, electoral and health care advocacy campaigns.
As the current host of the Wooden Teeth podcast, Jake engages in discussions centered on the intersection of politics and health. He was also a contributing author to the book Public Health Under Siege (2021). His work and writing have also been featured in forums including Health Affairs, The Hill, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Morning Consult, The Today Show and Medium. In 2021, Jake was appointed by Governor Jared Polis to serve as a Commissioner on the Early Childhood Leadership Commission, Colorado’s federally-authorized state council for early childhood, where he continues to serve.
Jake is a proud citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, and an active Potawatomi language learner. He earned a Master of Science in Comparative Politics and Policy from the London School of Economics, and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications from the University of Michigan. Jake is also a current Executive MBA candidate at Brown and IE Universities. He lives with his wife and two children in Lafayette.