Salena Chow

Salena Chow was appointed Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) by Governor Gavin Newsom in August 2026. 

Before joining HCAI, Ms. Chow served as Chief Operating Officer for the Judicial Council of California, where she led statewide policy direction and program operations. Her portfolio included mental and behavioral health services delivered through the courts, information technology, facilities management and courthouse construction, and workforce education and training. 

Ms. Chow’s public service career also includes 18 years at the California Department of Social Services, where she was appointed Chief Operating Officer/Chief Deputy Director in 2021. She oversaw department operations, supported major expansions of social service programs, and strengthened engagement with counties on program and fiscal implementation. She collaborated with stakeholders and community partners to advance state budget and policy solutions and implement federal program reforms. She also championed process innovation, system modernization, and efforts to expand diversity, access, and inclusion. 

Prior to entering public service, Ms. Chow worked in project administration and risk management within the construction and insurance industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied cultural anthropology, ethnic studies, and attended the Inter-University Program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.