Medi-Cal plan hires chief diversity officer

March 28--After a process that began more than a year ago, the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission has hired a chief diversity officer, officials announced Monday.

The commission governs the Gold Coast Health Plan, which administers Medi-Cal health insurance to more than 200,000 Ventura County residents.

Douglas Freeman will lead diversity efforts at Gold Coast, commission Chairman Darren Lee said.

"Douglas' addition as chief diversity officer reflects the commission's commitment to the core values of diversity and inclusion," Lee said.

Efforts to hire a chief diversity officer and to accelerate diversity efforts at the plan began last year after allegations involving workplace environment, including allegedly racist posters displayed in the workplace.

Freeman will report directly to the commission and will also make regular reports to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

According to commission documents, Freeman will receive an annual salary of $184,239. He starts on April 10.

For the past 17 years, Freeman served as CEO of Virtcom Consulting, a global diversity and inclusion consultant organization in New York City. He helped organizations develop diversity through three strategic pillars: analytics, inclusive business skills and world diversity leadership summits.

Freeman also served as vice chair of the United Nations Gender Equality Task Force and was a keynote speaker at the parliaments of the United Kingdom and European Union.

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