A new chapter at The L.A. Trust
Julie Park, Sarah Rodman, and Maryjane Puffer speaking on a panel at The L.A. Trust leadership transition breakfast
Earlier this month, community leaders, educators, healthcare partners, donors and advocates came together over breakfast to mark a leadership transition at The L.A. Trust. Moderated by Board President Julie Park, the gathering acknowledged retiring Executive Director Maryjane Puffer and welcomed Sarah Rodman, who started as the new Executive Director last November. More than a formal introduction, the morning offered space for an open conversation about our current challenges and where the work of youth health equity goes from here.
There was a sense in the room that the moment called for both honesty and optimism. Rodman spoke about her long-standing commitment to health equity and her belief that this work is deeply connected to justice. “For me, well-being work is justice work,” Rodman reflected. “Being well in systems designed to make you unwell is an act of resistance.”
She talked about what inequity costs all of us. When young people face barriers to healthcare and mental health services, or are exposed to unsafe and unstable environments, the impact extends far beyond their own lives. It ripples outward. “When young people are systematically prevented from being healthy and well, we lose their brilliance, their creativity, and their leadership. We’re all interconnected in that way.”
Executive Director, Sarah Rodman
The conversation also turned to youth mental health, one of today’s most urgent public health challenges. Young people are growing up in a world shaped by social media pressures, political uncertainty, climate anxiety, attacks on immigrants, and the lingering effects of COVID. Rodman urged the audience to approach these realities with care and perspective.
“We have to be careful not to pathologize a very sane response to a very unstable world,” she said. “The challenge is walking the line between protecting young people and preparing them.”
Throughout the discussion, schools were repeatedly named as steady, trusted spaces. They are places students turn to for care and support even as confidence in other institutions shifts. The partnerships The L.A. Trust brings together across school districts, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations play a critical role in reinforcing that trust and building stronger support systems around students.
Rodman also shared her excitement about the organization’s Data xChange tool, which connects health and education data in ways that rarely happen across public systems. With her background as a researcher, she sees real potential in using that information to shape smarter policies and improve outcomes for young people.
Now three months into her role, Rodman described this period as one of listening closely, learning deeply, and moving forward with intention. She spoke about investing in internal systems, supporting staff well-being, and strengthening collaboration across sectors. “Our staff are incredibly talented and deeply committed,” she said. “My job is to remove roadblocks so they can soar.”
By the end of the morning, one thing felt clear. While the challenges facing young people are significant, so is the commitment to meeting them. With dedicated partners, thoughtful leadership, and a clear focus on equity, The L.A. Trust is stepping into its next chapter with purpose and momentum.
Learn more about new Executive Director, Sarah Rodman