Paola Padilla is an experienced program administrator dedicated to advancing faculty development and well-being initiatives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). As the project manager for the Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine Department, she supports a multi-institutional, systems-based well-being research initiative and leads projects focused on process improvement and faculty development. Paola’s expertise in project management and organizational development underscores her commitment to elevating healthcare standards.

Before joining CHLA, Paola served as the Director of the Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative (SAELI), where she championed systems and policy reforms to support families with young children in Santa Ana. Raised in Southern California, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chicano & Latino Studies from California State University-Long Beach, shaping her enduring commitment to advocacy and inclusive leadership.

As the Communications and Marketing Board Director for the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives Southern California Chapter (NALHE SoCal), Paola leads strategic communications that amplify the organization’s mission and foster connections within the Latino/a healthcare community. She is dedicated to empowering diverse voices and building a more inclusive healthcare landscape.