Principal Molly Evans joined health center leaders at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) 2026 CHI Community Health Conference to moderate “Practical Lessons in Board Governance: Structure, Partnership, and Performance,” an interactive session focused on strengthening governance practices and the board–CEO relationship to support accountability and organizational performance.
Session Description:
Effective governance is not static — it must evolve as organizations grow, scale, and face new performance expectations. This interactive workshop draws on real-world experience from a CEO, Board Chair, and General Counsel who have worked together to modernize governance structures, clarify roles, and strengthen the Board–CEO partnership in a complex, mission-driven organization.
The session will highlight practical lessons learned from restructuring board committees, distinguishing governance from management, refining recruitment strategies to align with organizational needs, and recalibrating the Board’s oversight role to support performance and accountability. Presenters will candidly discuss what worked, what did not, and how thoughtful governance design can enhance trust, transparency, and strategic focus.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze their current board committee structure and governance practices to identify misalignments between oversight responsibilities, organizational scale, and performance priorities.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the Board–CEO partnership and role clarity within their organization, distinguishing governance functions from management responsibilities to reduce friction and strengthen accountability.
- Design a practical governance improvement strategy that enhances organizational performance and positions the health center as a partner, employer, and provider of choice.
About NACHC
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is a leading national health care advocacy organization supporting Community Health Centers and their work to expand access to quality, cost-effective care for medically underserved and uninsured populations. NACHC provides advocacy, research, training, and technical assistance to strengthen health center operations and governance and advance healthier communities nationwide. Learn more at NACHC.