Service, Strategy, and Stewardship: Dawn Jagger is a Policy Leader Worth Watching
The commitment and passion Dawn Jagger brings to her work is more than inspiring. It’s galvanizing. We left the interview with Dawn feeling like it was time to go out and run for office! It is easy to be cynical about the government these days, but Dawn made us believe anything is possible and that when wielded properly, the power of the government can be used to enact tremendous good in the lives of its citizens. We discuss Dawn’s fascinating journey to her current high-ranking position today, including a childhood infused with creativity, service, and entrepreneurism; her road to public service and unplanned law degree; her experiences working at the highest levels of state government and as a policy advisor at the federal level; and how she has continually and intentionally integrated her work with her core values and beliefs. Enjoy this compelling and motivational discussion!
Dawn’s Bio
Dawn is an executive leader with deep commitment to equity and racial justice and over nine years of experience developing and implementing programs and policies across all aspects of health and health care.
Dawn’s most recent state agency experience has been with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), an agency with over 4500 staff and a biennial budget of over $32 billion, where she held dual roles as a Division Director and Chief of Staff. Her portfolio included directing the External Relations Division with a biennial budget of $35 million, over 120 staff, and 4 programs: Communications, Government Relations, Ombuds Program, and Community Partner Outreach Program. She also served as chief strategist for agency-wide critical issues and initiatives to lead programs experiencing significant challenges to ensure outcomes were in alignment with agency strategic direction. Recent leadership areas of focus include leadership over OHA’s COVID-19 multi-agency state response, behavioral health strategic development and systems crisis management and program development, and Medicaid 1115 and other waiver initiatives. Throughout these leadership responses, Dawn has led agency culture change to bring equity to the core of the OHA’s work with her unique ability to support and bring culturally diverse teams together to address Oregon’s inequitable health outcomes.
Previously, Dawn worked for three years at the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services in several roles, most recently as the senior health policy and communications advisor to the director. She received her BA degree from the University of Oregon in political science and her JD from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2013.
Dawn has always had a strong commitment to public service and a passion for helping poor and underserved communities. In her spare time, you will find Dawn hiking, skiing, backpacking, or snowshoeing with her greater swiss mountain dog, Onyx.