Stephanie Gioia-Beckman is the Senior Director of Workforce & Community Impact at the Policy & Innovation Center.

In her role, Stephanie leads PIC’s work on ELEVATE Behavioral Health Workforce Fund, a $75 million grant for behavioral health initiatives on behalf of the County of San Diego. ELEVATE will strategically invest in training, education and financial support for students and professionals in behavioral health careers, increasing high-quality mental health and substance use services for San Diego County.

Prior to joining PIC, Stephanie spent over 25 years in public policy, advocacy and government relations, dedicated to improving health and social services for children and families.  

At Rady Children’s Hospital, where she served as the Director of Community Impact & Advocacy, Stephanie led efforts to shape policy, strengthen partnerships and oversee the Community Benefit Program. Under her leadership, the program secured a $30 million increase in reportable community investments. 

She also directed the triennial Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and worked closely with local government and community organizations to address behavioral health, child welfare, workforce and social determinants of health. 

Stephanie spent over two decades in local government. She served as Director of Policy for County Supervisors Nathan Fletcher and Ron Roberts, where she helped enact 79 legislative measures, including securing over $115 million for behavioral health reform, expanding crisis response services and improving county-wide health systems. 

From a member to co-chair, Stephanie shares her expertise and supports several regional governments and health organizations. She is the former co-chair of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Committee, an executive committee member of the County Children, Youth and Family Behavioral Health System of Care Council and an appointee to the County Child & Family Strengthening Advisory Board. Additionally, she serves as an advisor to the American Academy of Pediatrics, CA-3 Strategic Behavioral Health Initiative. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara.  

Stephanie’s work has always centered on bringing people together to create meaningful change, whether through funding critical services, shaping policy or advocating for underserved communities.