Biography
Diana M. Conti is executive director of Parca, a program that serves people with developmental disabilities. She is also owner/principal of the Conti Consulting Group for public policy and community mobilization. She has worked with community coalitions across the country that are working to pass state and local ATOD policies. She also does consulting for strategic planning, organizational development, and fundraising.
Diana has nearly 30 years executive experience directing organizations in the fields of developmental disabilities; alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; mental health; youth services; community outreach and support systems to low-income and disadvantaged communities; criminal justice reform; and a public policy think-tank. The various organizations represent a broad range of the public health continuum including treatment, prevention, public policy, and administering state and federal funds at a county level.
Positions include:
Executive Director, Parca (2000 –present)
Owner/Principal, Conti Consulting Group (1999-present)
Executive Director, Marin Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol Problems (1994-2000)
Executive Director, Novato Human Needs Center (1991-1994)
Executive Director, Henry Ohlhoff House (1986-1991)
Executive Director, Friends Outside (1984-1986)
Clinical Administrator, Social Advocates for Youth (1982-1984)
Deputy Drug Program Administrator, County of Sonoma (1979-1982)
Executive Director, River Switchboard (1977-1979)
Diana is currently the founding board president of West Bay Housing Corporation (affordable housing for disadvantaged populations), and Chair of Thrive, The Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo County. She has been a member and officer of more than 25 boards, commissions and councils.
Diana has received commendations for excellence in leadership by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, the Marin County Board of Supervisors, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and the California Association of Nonprofits.
Diana’s APHA experience includes Sections, Affiliates, and APHA-wide governance committees including:
- Chair, Intersectional Council (ISC) Steering Committee
- Ex-Officio Member, Executive Board
- Chair, ATOD Section
- Section Councilor, Membership Chair, Nominations Chair, Resolutions Chair, Program Planning Committee, Abstract Reviewer
- TFAIR, APHA Finance Committee, Audit Committee, Development Committee, 501c3 Committee, Governance Committee, Advocacy Coordinating Team, Strategic Planning Committee
- Development Committee Chair, Governing Council, California Public Health Association-North
Diana received the 2007 Leadership Award for the ATOD Section.
Full CV (PDF)
Candidate Statement
APHA has used science-based policies and practices to have significant impact on public health for 136 years. It is an impressive legacy for public health and social justice. As an organization APHA must continue to evolve and adapt in order to have the greatest possible outcomes for: healthy communities, a comprehensive range of public health issues, and a global economy. APHA must use its scientific credibility and the voices of its 30,000 members to be an active force in setting and implementing public health priorities. It must also make sure the organization can sustain itself long-term and it must be able to support its membership units and Affiliates in order to coalesce their many priorities into a potent strategy for change.
As a member of the Executive Board I would work to balance needs, build consensus, and assure that APHA:
- Focuses its policy efforts and increases its impact on the nation’s health;
- Provides adequate support for membership units and Affiliates to build on their expertise and priorities and increase public health impact;
- Increases membership and student involvement;
- Develops long-term sustainability for the organization.
As an executive director of nonprofits for nearly 30 years, as a public policy consultant, and as a leader of more than 25 boards and commissions, I am skilled at organizational governance and sustainability, advocacy, fundraising, strategic planning and building consensus.
I know the possibilities and challenges of the various facets of APHA through my many roles including:
- Chair, Intersectional Council (ISC) Steering Committee
- Chair, ATOD Section
- Ex-officio member, Executive Board
- TFAIR and numerous APHA committees
- Development Committee Chair, Governing Council of California Public Health Association-North.
APHA can lead the country in establishing universal health care, protecting the environment, eliminating health disparities, and restoring the public health infrastructure.