Joseph A. Cislowski, M.P.P.

Executive Director

Joe Cislowski, Executive Director of the Center for Health Care Rights, is among California’s leading voices in advocating for, and providing services to, older adults, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. His more than four decades of experience includes policy and management roles with nonprofit associations, higher education institutions, political committees, medical centers, and private funders.

Joe was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown, and reappointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, to the California Commission on Aging, where he has been elected by his peers to the Commission’s Executive Committee. He has held staff positions with both the U.S. Congress and the California Legislature. In his previous work in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, he gained substantial experience with Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care financing programs, as well as consumer protection laws and regulations. He has campaign experience as a consultant and volunteer at the national, state, and local levels.

Joe served as chair of the County of Los Angeles Public Library Commission. He has also served as a board member or volunteer for nonprofit associations including the Center for Nonprofit Management, Jewish Federation, Phi Beta Kappa Alumni, United Way, and UCLA Alumni Association. He is a graduate of the Leadership Southern California program with leadership development training provided by Coro Southern California.

Joe received his Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at the University of California, Los Angeles.