Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Denise Gideon to the Clark College Board of Trustees.
Gideon has worked in the health care industry and has an extensive record of serving the community, stated a news release. She’s currently the system vice president of operations and program integration at PeaceHealth in Vancouver and serves as an executive sponsor for the Black and Allies Network Group.
“I have an affinity for community colleges and would not be where I am today if it hadn't been for getting my first degree from Berkeley City College,” stated Gideon in the release.
Gideon has been a board member of Educational Opportunities for Children & Families of Southwest Washington, an officer of the Joyce Finley Foundation, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and a volunteer coordinator for Rebuild Together Portland.
Before PeaceHealth, Gideon held roles at the University of California-San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, the Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, and the Alameda Alliance for Health. She also served as co-chair of the board of directors of St. Martin De Porres Catholic School.
Gideon served as a licensed practical nurse in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm. She received her undergraduate degree in organizational management from Patten University in Oakland and received a master’s degree in business administration from John F. Kennedy University with a concentration in emphasizing strategy.
Her term on the board of trustees started on Nov. 19 following the death of Jane Jacobsen in May. The term expires on Sep. 30, 2024, the release said.
“Denise is an exceptional addition to the Clark College Board,” stated Rekah Strong, the chair of the board of trustees, in the release. “Her executive experience of mergers, acquisitions and workforce, as well as her background in the medical field, will bring a much-needed form of acumen to our board.”
The board of trustees is composed of five members selected by the governor. Members serve five-year terms and live in the college’s service district. The board devises strategic planning, development and approval of college policies, and approval and oversight of the operating budget, stated the release.
