The L.A. Trust adds new voices to its board
Meet The L.A. Trust’s newest board members
The L.A. Trust has welcomed three new board members. Elected in January, Remí de la Rocha, MBA; Michele Rigsby Pauley, RN, MSN, CPNP, PHN; and Sharnell Blevins, BSM, MFA, bring extensive experience in healthcare, community engagement, and education to support the organization’s mission of advancing student wellness.
“Having Remí, Michele, and Sharnell join our board is an exciting step forward for The L.A. Trust,” said Sarah Rodman, Executive Director. “Their leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue advancing student wellness and expanding care for our communities.”
Remí de la Rocha
Remí de la Rocha is the President and Chief Executive Officer of AltaMed Health Network (AHN), a role he has held since the organization’s establishment in 2020. He joined the parent company, AltaMed Health Services Corporation, in 2007 to establish its first Independent Physician Association (IPA), which has since grown to serve approximately 100,000 patients across Los Angeles and Orange Counties through a network of more than 200 primary care physicians and 1,800 specialists. Under his leadership, AltaMed’s Managed Care Program expanded dramatically from 40,000 members in 2007 to nearly 390,000 by 2025. Remí also played a pivotal role in developing and launching AHN as a Restricted Knox Keene entity, guiding its growth from 50,000 members at its 2020 launch to approximately 360,000 today, with projections to exceed 500,000 by 2030. In addition to leading AHN, he serves as Vice President of Managed Care for Altura Management Services Organization, where he oversees provider oversight, credentialing, customer operations, and contracting across a network supporting more than one million members. Remí began his healthcare career at L.A. Care Health Plan, where he spent seven years helping establish its direct networks for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, laying the foundation for his longstanding leadership in expanding access to care.
Michele Rigsby Pauley
Michele Rigsby Pauley is a seasoned health professional with more than 30 years of experience developing and leading health and wellness programs that serve diverse and underserved communities throughout Los Angeles County. She has a strong track record of designing culturally and linguistically responsive initiatives that support African American, Hispanic, AAPI, LGBTQ+, older adult, and homeless populations, while building meaningful partnerships with community organizations to expand access to care. As the inaugural Nurse Practitioner and Program Director of the COACH for Kids® Mobile Medical Program at Cedars-Sinai, she led the development and clinical operations of comprehensive outreach services for children and families, including medical, mental health, case management, nutrition, fitness, and dental care. She later served as Interim Director of Cedars-Sinai’s Community Health and Education Program, helping extend essential healthcare services to adults and seniors across underserved communities in Los Angeles County. Michele currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Mobile Healthcare Association, co-founded the Los Angeles Coalition of Mobile Medical Units, and serves as an advisor to the Southern California Regional Coalition of the Mobile Healthcare Association, while also contributing her expertise to the Executive Committee of Immunize LA Families and the City of Los Angeles Department of Aging’s Advisory Council on Aging. She has received numerous honors for her leadership and service and holds nursing degrees from the University of San Francisco and the University of California, San Francisco, along with certification from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Sharnell Blevins
Sharnell Blevins is an educational equity advocate, writer, and nonprofit leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing opportunities for students and families. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Pepperdine University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Mount Saint Mary’s University. Throughout her career, Sharnell has led community and youth-focused initiatives across Los Angeles County, including leadership roles with the American Cancer Society, the Golden State Minority Foundation, the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Speak UP, where she championed diversity, equity, and parent advocacy in education. She currently serves as Senior Director of Family and Community Engagement for LAUSD Board District 7, where she works closely with families, students, and community partners to ensure that all students are able to reach their potential. In addition to her community leadership, Sharnell is an accomplished playwright, author, and poet whose work has appeared in literary journals and theater productions.
With the addition of these three new members, The L.A. Trust Board of Directors now includes 17 members, further strengthening the organization’s leadership. As The L.A. Trust enters its fourth decade, the organization looks forward to working with its full board to continue advancing student wellness by strengthening the connection between health and education.