Senior Management

Mary A. Pittman, DrPH

President and Chief Executive Officer

Before joining PHI, Ms. Pittman was president of the Chicago-based Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET), an affiliate of the American Hospital Association. As such, she led the growth and development of HRET, synchronized the efforts of board members and research and educational professionals, and served on the executive staff of the American Hospital Association. Before taking leadership of HRET, she was president and chief executive officer of the California Association of Public Hospitals. From 1984 until 1990, she served as director of planning and evaluation for the San Francisco Department of Public Health. From 1996 until 2007, she also served on PHI's board of directors. Over the course of her 25-year public health career, Ms. Pittman has been recognized as a strong leader and advocate for public health. She has authored several books and numerous peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, and developed public policy and legislative proposals to reduce health disparities and expand access and quality of health care to underserved populations.

Carmen R. Nevarez, MD, MPH

Medical Director and Vice President of External Relations

Dr. Nevarez is responsible for public health advocacy, incubating new project areas and developing relationships with health and public health organizations and interests. She is formerly the health officer and department director of the City of Berkeley's Health and Human Services Department. During her tenure at the City of Berkeley, she was named environmental health director and later, director of the Department of Health and Human Services. As director, she had responsibility over a comprehensive department with public health, mental health, environmental health and social services programs. She was instrumental in the development of the Berkeley Primary Care Access Clinic, a new entity that was created as a joint project of community interests, the local community hospital and regional political interests. After leaving the City of Berkeley, she began CRN Health Consulting Group, and participated in the development of a series of projects in public health leadership, public health education and community health. In 1996, she became the community liaison in the Office of the Dean of School of Public Health (SPH) at the University of California, Berkeley. She helped to develop university participation in community-based public health projects. She also developed and taught a graduate course in Multicultural Competence in Public Health. She provided considerable expertise in the development of the SPH proposal for a Public Health Workforce Development Project. Since 1979, she has maintained a part-time clinical practice.

James B. Simpson, JD, MPH

General Counsel

Mr. Simpson manages the legal affairs of PHI and works closely with the president and management team to develop strategic initiatives for the organization. He has over 15 years of experience managing the legal affairs of nonprofit organizations. Mr. Simpson is a member of the State Bar of California. He received his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his master's degree in public health from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Donna S. Sofaer

Vice President, Development, Communications, and Public Relations

Ms. Sofaer is responsible for leading the work of PHI's development and communications department. Experienced in all phases of bid and proposal efforts, Ms. Sofaer has a keen interest in business development and effective communications. In her current position she serves as the organizational official for pre-award review and compliance, leads communications initiatives, and manages public relations/fundraising activities. She has worked for PHI or its predecessor organizations since 1993, most recently as director of development. Prior to joining PHI, she was a business owner and had an active consulting practice writing and developing grant proposals for health, social service, and environmental health organizations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bob E. Wolfson, CPA

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Wolfson is responsible for the administrative oversight and financial management of PHI's operations. From 1984 to 2000, he served as the executive director of the Old Dominion University Research Foundation. Other previous positions include serving as director of business affairs for Eastern Virginia Medical School and director of budget and accounting for the county of York, Virginia.

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