Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Names Rebecca Isaacs, Esq. New President and CEO

LOS ANGELES – Planned Parenthood Los Angeles has appointed Rebecca Isaacs as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Isaacs will formally begin her duties on June 22 and will head the largest, private reproductive health care organization in Los Angeles County, with 289 full-time staff and a $35 million budget. Sample Content - Preamble

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

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Communications: 213-284-3287

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Planned Parenthood Los Angeles

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“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Rebecca Isaacs to Planned Parenthood. Rebecca is a strong leader with a long-standing commitment to reproductive health care and education,” said Allan Mutchnik, Chair of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. “Her impressive track record in expanding services and funding for at-risk and underserved communities fits perfectly with Planned Parenthood’s goal to create healthy futures for every woman, man and young person in Los Angeles.”

Isaacs joins Planned Parenthood Los Angeles from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), a joint powers authority of the City and County of Los Angeles, where she serves as Executive Director. Under her leadership, this year, LAHSA received $73 million from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the largest award in the agency’s history. The funding supports a range of programs in more than 100 organizations to aid homeless families and individuals, from emergency shelters, safe havens, transitional and permanent housing, to supportive care in domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse, and job skills.

“As I join Planned Parenthood, I take one more step in a life-long journey to serve people in need,” said Isaacs. “I have always been a strong supporter of compassionate reproductive health care and comprehensive sex education. I look forward to working with Planned Parenthood's outstanding team of professionals, volunteers and advocates on these critical issues.”

Under the leadership of retiring President and CEO, Mary-Jane Waglé, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles underwent a comprehensive reorganization and dramatic expansion in care. In 2004, when she was appointed CEO, the agency served 60,000 patients. Today, more than 110,000 women, men and teens are served through a range of services including breast, cervical and testicular cancer screenings, well-woman exams, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, birth control counseling and abortion care. School and community-based education programs reach an additional 75,000 teens and adults.

“I am truly awestruck when I think of all the people that have been helped by Mary-Jane’s tireless and passionate efforts on behalf of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. As our CEO, and before that as Board Chair, Mary-Jane led Planned Parenthood with grace and wisdom,” added Mutchnik. “I am confident that Rebecca Isaacs will continue on that path of success with great integrity and continue to champion the expansion of services to families and communities in Los Angeles.”

Prior to LAHSA, Isaacs was Executive Director of the Inner City Law Center, a legal services and housing advocacy agency serving homeless people and low-income clients in Los Angeles. Isaacs is an attorney with a strong background in advocacy. She worked as Legislative Aide and Communications Director for U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard; Policy Director at People for the American Way in Washington, DC; and Policy and Public Affairs Director and then Interim Executive Director at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. She has also served as Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission and on the Executive Committee for the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, in Washington, DC.

As a leader in issues affecting disenfranchised persons such as battered women, gays and lesbians, youth, and people with HIV/AIDS, Isaacs has served as an expert resource to international, national and local news outlets and programs, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and CNN. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her J.D. at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She is a member of the California Bar.

Published

May 05, 2009