GIH Board

As President and CEO, Nikki leads the Horizon Foundation in pursuing its mission to improve the health and wellness of people who live or work in Howard County. As the largest independent health foundation in Maryland, Nikki works with community partners to shape policy and to create programs so that everyone in Howard County can live longer, better and happier lives. Nikki has over 25 years of philanthropic, nonprofit and government experience in health. She previously served as senior vice president for program at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) where she led national programs to improve health care for low-income Americans. At CHCS, she managed a team that focused on expanding access to high-quality dental, mental and preventive care services for Medicaid beneficiaries and helping states pilot innovative payment and delivery systems models. Prior to that, she was deputy director of the Massachusetts Medicaid Managed Care Program, worked as a senior Medicaid analyst at the White House Office of Management and Budget, and was a professional staff member for a U.S. Congressman. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in public administration from American University.