Jennifer Laudano Joins Arnold Ventures as Vice President of Advocacy, Health Care

WASHINTON D.C. (Jun. 3, 2024) – Award-winning campaign and communications professional Jennifer Laudano has been appointed Arnold Ventures’ vice president of advocacy, health care. Effective immediately, Laudano will work to advance research and evidence in the policy-making process, including developing and executing federal and state advocacy strategies that support more affordable and accessible health care for families, communities, and businesses. 

“Policy change is desperately needed to address America’s high-cost health care system, and we at Arnold Ventures are committed to tackling the many challenges that too often seem intractable,” said James Williams, executive vice president of advocacy, communications and external affairs for Arnold Ventures. ​“Jennifer understands the urgent nature of this critical work, and she brings with her the experience necessary to help bring about meaningful and sustainable change.” 

Laudano’s experience includes more than a decade at the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP). During her tenure as senior director, communications and community engagement, Laudano planned and executed a broad range of strategies; built coalitions with key health policy leaders; and helped establish NASHP as a pivotal resource for the media, thought leaders, and policymakers. Prior to that, Jennifer created strategic state policy campaigns for The Pew Charitable Trusts and served in a director role for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, where she managed a national campaign to help pass the landmark federal bill that ultimately gave the Food & Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco products. 

“Advocacy can – and should — spark positive change in people’s lives; I’ve seen it happen firsthand,” said Laudano. ​“It’s rarely an easy process, but the momentum in today’s health care debate is clearly behind those calling for change.” 

Laudano’s work will help shape the debate in a number of different health care areas, as Arnold Ventures leads efforts to address drug prices, Medicare sustainability, commercial sector prices, and the specific needs of those patients covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. 

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Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change, AV is working to improve the lives of American families, strengthen their communities, and promote their economic opportunity. Since Laura and John Arnold launched their foundation in 2008, the philanthropy has expanded, and Arnold Ventures’ focus areas include education, criminal justice, health, infrastructure, and public finance, advocating for bipartisan policy reforms that will lead to lasting, scalable change. As signatories of the Giving Pledge, the Arnolds have committed to giving away most of their wealth during their lives.

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