Joan Leon

Berkeley, CA

Retired Health Consultant

Represented: Patients, Caregivers, and Patient Advocates

Joan Leon has worked in the independent living movement of people with disabilities for 40 years, with a focus on documenting the preferences and needs of people with disabilities, the development of services addressing these needs, and giving people a greater voice in public policy. She has personal experience with disability. In 1973 she joined the Center for Independent Living as Development Director. In 1977, she joined the California State Department of Rehabilitation as a Special Assistant to the Director, Ed Roberts. Two years later, she was appointed Assistant Director by Governor Jerry Brown. She co-founded the World Institute on Disability and played a major role in raising the funds and leading their research and advocacy agenda. She also led a $50 million capital campaign for the Ed Roberts Campus, a facility that is home to seven disability organizations. Today, she consults on social service and healthcare reform. She holds a BA from Ursinus College.

Leon served as a member of the Advisory Panel on Improving Healthcare Systems from April 2014 - April 2017.