Three new trustees named to Blue Shield of California Foundation Board
Charles Sidney Fields, Ravi Kavasery, MD, and Mónica Morales to advance health equity and domestic violence prevention for Californians
SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 29, 2025) — The Board of Trustees of Blue Shield of California Foundation has added three distinguished leaders who bring extensive experience to the Foundation’s mission of building lasting and equitable solutions to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence.
The new trustees bring strengths and deep experience in philanthropy, government, and health care to the Foundation’s 10-person board. They are a diverse group from across California — two from Southern California and one from the Central Valley. Their three-year terms will begin in January 2026.
“Charles Fields, Dr. Ravi Kavasery, and Mónica Morales are mission-driven leaders and seasoned changemakers who understand how public and private systems can strengthen the health and well-being of all Californians,” said Debbie I. Chang, MPH, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “Their leadership will support the Foundation’s strategies to support economic security, break the cycle of domestic violence, and align systems with community priorities, especially for communities of color with low incomes.”
Blue Shield of California Foundation is an independent grantmaking organization. It is funded by contributions from Blue Shield of California, a mission-based, not-for-profit health plan founded by physicians in 1939. The Foundation's funding priorities and grantmaking are determined independently from the health plan.
The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees composed of at least two members of the Board of Directors of Blue Shield of California, two executive-level employees of the company, and at least four public trustees. With the addition of the three new trustees, there is one remaining vacancy on the board, which will be filled in 2026.
Charles Fields is executive vice president of programs at The James Irvine Foundation, where he has dedicated his career to uplifting and supporting historically marginalized communities through grantmaking, workforce support, and social services initiatives. He also serves on the boards for the Association for Black Foundation Executives and The Families and Workers Fund.
Ravi Kavasery, MD, is the senior vice president and chief medical officer at Blue Shield of California, where he leads enterprise-wide efforts to improve health outcomes, member experience, and affordability for more than 6 million members. A practicing physician, Dr. Kavasery also serves on the board of the Primary Care Collaborative in Washington, D.C., and on the Health Advisory Board at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Mónica Morales is the director of Health and Human Services for Yolo County, with more than 20 years of experience overseeing health care and social service systems at the community, county, and state levels. Morales brings a deep commitment to addressing the needs of people of color and those with limited economic resources. She currently serves on the boards for Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee and the Partnership Health Plan of California.
“I am looking forward to welcoming these new trustees whose experience and deep expertise will contribute to guiding our work forward,” said Helen DuPlessis, MD, MPH, who will be the incoming board chair in January 2026. “Their passion and diverse perspectives will strengthen our ability to fulfill the Foundation’s long-term vision and deepen our impact for families and communities across California.”
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About Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation supports lasting and equitable solutions to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence. When we work together to remove the barriers to health and well-being, especially for Californians most affected, we can create a more just and equitable future. For more information, visit blueshieldcafoundation.org, sign up for our monthly newsletter Intersections, and please join us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Press contacts:
Blue Shield of California Foundation
Rachael Kagan, Rachael.kagan [at] blueshieldcafoundation.org, 510-227-7665
The Reis Group
Kathleen Petty, kpetty [at] thereisgroup.com