Nadia Privara

Nadia Privara, MPA, serves as the Director of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) for the County of San Diego, providing executive leadership for one of the largest publicly funded behavioral health systems in the state. In this role, she oversees complex clinical and administrative operations, guides systemwide optimization efforts, and advances strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the region’s behavioral health continuum of care. She is a seasoned healthcare executive with extensive expertise in public finance, workforce strategy, and organizational development. Prior to her appointment as Director, Nadia served as the Assistant Director and Chief Strategy and Finance Officer for the department.

Throughout her tenure, Nadia has led transformative initiatives that modernize service delivery, enhance operational performance, and improve client outcomes. Her portfolio includes advancing Behavioral Health Transformation, implementing the Behavioral Health Services Act, spearheading payment reform efforts, and launching BH‑CONNECT locally. She developed the Optimal Care Pathways model to identify local service capacity needs and created the $75 million ELEVATE Workforce Fund to support recruitment and retention efforts across the behavioral health sector. In addition, she has successfully secured more than $250 million in grant funding to bolster the local behavioral health continuum of care.

Nadia holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from San Diego State University. Grounded in a career dedicated to public service, she is committed to building a resilient, sustainable behavioral health system that increases access to high‑quality care for residents throughout San Diego County.