Laura Isela Long

Laura Long is vice president of operations, performance, and compliance with National Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

In this role, Long works closely with Kaiser Permanente leaders to develop and implement programs and initiatives that advance the organization's mission. She empowers business partners, offering strategic consulting and advocacy in pursuit of high-quality, equitable, and affordable health care outcomes.

Long is responsible for driving the integration of inclusive practices and processes across the organization in pursuit of equity for our workforce, members, and the communities we serve. She partners with business leaders and external organizations to advance talent strategies, better understand root causes of inequities, and cocreate culturally responsive and inclusive health care experiences. This leads to fairer outcomes so our members and communities can reach their full health potential. 

Long has over 30 years of experience in the health care industry. She joined Kaiser Permanente in 2009 and has since played a pivotal role in developing a strong workforce. Through partnerships with the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, the Alliance of Health Care Unions, educational institutions, and other organizations, Long has championed innovative workforce development initiatives. Previously, as director of Workforce Planning and Development for Kaiser Permanente, her collaborative approach was instrumental in creating career development and education programs for over 146,000 represented employees.

Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Long worked at the Stanislaus County Public Health Department, tackling issues that affected local communities. Her focus was on building unified public and private organizational partnerships to improve population health and reduce health disparities. 

Long's passion for health care extends beyond patient care. She serves on several boards focused on developing a strong health care workforce. This includes her appointment by former Gov. Jerry Brown to the California Workforce Development Board, her current role on the Health Career Connection board, and her past leadership positions with the California Hospital Association Workforce Committee and the Healthcare Career Advancement Program.

Long is a first-generation Mexican American and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She earned a bachelor's degree in integrative biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and has an executive MBA from St. Mary's College of California. She also completed the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.