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Kimberly Belshé was appointed secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in November 2003. In this capacity, she serves as a member of the governor's Cabinet and as his chief advisor on health, social services and rehabilitative policies.

Ms. Belshé manages an agency that has more than 32,000 employees, with a total state budget of more than $82 billion. The agency oversees 12 state departments and one board that are responsible for providing Californians with health, developmental, mental, rehabilitative, social and other critical services. As secretary, Ms. Belshé is responsible for providing leadership and oversight of the agency's efforts to promote the health and well-being of the people of California, particularly those most in need and at risk.

Prior to joining the Schwarzenegger Administration, Ms. Belshé served in a number of leadership positions in state government under the administration of Governor Pete Wilson, including deputy secretary of the then-Health and Welfare Agency and director of the Department of Health Services.

After a decade of public service in federal and state government, Ms. Belshé served as the program director for The James Irvine Foundation, a multipurpose foundation dedicated to expanding opportunities for the people of California.

Throughout her career, Ms. Belshé has served in a number of civic capacities.  She is a board member of the Great Valley Center, which is dedicated to promoting the sustainability of California's Central Valley region, and served as a founding commissioner of the California Children and Families Commission.

Ms. Belshé is a native of San Francisco and holds a master's degree in public policy from Princeton University and a bachelor's degree in government from Harvard.  She resides in Sacramento.