Peggy Graham,
Executive Assistant
 eggy Graham was
born and raised in Burbank, California. She began her career in the nonprofit sector in
1968 as a volunteer fundraiser for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
   "I feel as
though I’ve come full circle — having done volunteer work for Childrens Hospital
and now working for an organization that does so much in community health," she said.
While working at Childrens Hospital, Graham was also the community "soccer
mom," managing brownie, cub and girl scout troops. She also was elected as Parent
Teacher Association president for Lawrence Junior High School, where she helped implement
the mandated busing legislation.
"All of these activities played a major role in preparing me for the workplace. I
learned management skills and the importance of teamwork," she said.
Graham worked as a secretary for a variety of corporations before joining Health Net in
1990 as an assistant to the president. After a six-year tenure with the company, she
joined TCWF as executive assistant to Gary Yates, president and CEO.
"Working for Health Net was very exciting, and I entered at a time in which the
company experienced a lot of changes," said Graham.
In 1992, Health Net converted from a nonprofit health maintenance organization to a
for-profit corporation. The conversion created TCWF as a private, independent foundation.
"The real pleasure in working for Health Net came from the formation of The
California Wellness Foundation prior to the 1992 conversion. All of the wonderful things
that the Foundation does to help people provides me with a tremendous amount of
pride," said Graham.
In her current position, she serves as the primary "right hand" to Yates. Her
main responsibilities include acting as a liaison among the staff, legal counsel and board
of directors.
Free-spirited, yet conservative, Graham admits that as a child she dreamed of becoming
a nurse or a ballerina. She and her husband enjoy tandem bicycling and have participated
in the Los Angeles Marathon Bike Tour for the past four years. They hope to have visited
all of the state national parks someday.
"My motto has always been to take the time to say what’s in your heart. Our
days go by so quickly and are so hurried. Gentle human kindness makes a difference in
everyone’s life," she said. "My life has been so full and so blessed, that
whatever I can do to enhance someone’s being is very important to me. The Foundation
provides me the forum to enforce what I feel and that in which I believe."
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