Barbara Ferrer

Barbara Ferrer is a leading figure in Health Science, renowned for her extensive contributions to public health leadership and equity. She earned a Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health in 1988, a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and a PhD in Social Welfare from Brandeis University’s Heller School for Advanced Studies in Social Policy in 1994, where she served as a Pew Doctoral Fellow. Recognized as a distinguished alumna by Boston University School of Public Health, Ferrer has amassed over 30 years of professional experience as a philanthropic strategist, public health director, university researcher, high school principal, and community organizer. Her career trajectory includes pivotal leadership roles that have shaped public health practices in major urban centers.

Currently, Ferrer serves as Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, appointed on February 6, 2017. In this capacity, she directs nearly 4,000 employees and manages an annual budget surpassing $900 million, overseeing critical programs in environmental health, disease control, community health, and family health to protect and improve outcomes for nearly 10 million residents. She has spearheaded efforts to integrate services across county departments, advancing health equity and eight strategic priorities in collaboration with Health Services and Mental Health departments. Previously, as Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, Ferrer led public health programs and forged innovative partnerships to enhance health and education, bolster family economic security, and mitigate racial health disparities. Prior to that, she was Chief Strategy Officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Ferrer's work emphasizes data-informed decision-making, particularly in crisis response such as COVID-19, where she prioritized vulnerable populations and institutional infection control. Her contributions include presentations on building health equity in LA County at the APHA Annual Meeting. In 2025, she joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Board of Trustees.