Belinda Campos Bresnahan, MPH
Belinda Campos Bresnahan, MPH, is a seasoned public health professional with over 15 years of experience driving policy, advocacy, and community health initiatives across Los Angeles. She currently serves as Senior Project Manager and Policy Analyst at Los Angeles Medical Center Foundation, where she focuses on public health legislation, community benefits agreements, youth development programming, tobacco control, and nutrition policy. Belinda’s work bridges government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local communities, creating sustainable systems change and advancing health equity. Belinda’s career is distinguished by her impactful legislative and public health achievements. She played a key role in passing Senate Bill 1420, mandating calorie counts on fast-food menus, and led advocacy efforts that resulted in the creation of the Youth Development Department for the City of Los Angeles. Additionally, she has spearheaded multiple smoke-free outdoor and multi-unit housing ordinances across California cities. Her expertise spans public health policy, project management, coalition building, community empowerment, and strategic advocacy, making her a trusted leader in advancing population health. A graduate of Claremont Graduate University with a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, Education, and Evaluation, Belinda also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino. She is an active member of professional and volunteer organizations, including the American Public Health Association, Circle of Hope Inc, and various Catholic Church-based women’s initiatives. Fluent in English and Spanish, Belinda combines her technical expertise with a commitment to community engagement, equity, and empowerment, continually driving initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of the communities she serves.
• Claremont Graduate University - MPH
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence, community-centered leadership, and a deep commitment to public service. Early volunteer experiences taught me the power of giving back, and my ability to build coalitions across sectors has been instrumental in creating meaningful impact. Facing and overcoming personal challenges, including my battle with cancer, has strengthened my resilience and clarified my purpose, shaping the work I do today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received has come from the public health leaders, nonprofit directors, youth advocates, and legislative partners. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside throughout my career. Their guidance and example have consistently inspired me to lead with integrity, collaboration, and a focus on meaningful impact.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to remain persistent, pursue policy change even when progress feels slow, and build strong networks. Advocate confidently for underserved communities, and never underestimate the power of a long-term commitment to creating meaningful change and always pay it forward.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field right now include navigating political resistance, securing sustainable funding for public health programs, and advancing equity-focused legislation within complex regulatory environments. At the same time, there are significant opportunities: expanding youth development infrastructure, advancing preventive health policy, strengthening community-government partnerships, and shaping long-term population health outcomes.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are service, integrity, perseverance, equity, family, faith, and community empowerment—especially uplifting underserved and Mexican-American/ Latinx communities. I am also passionate about distance running, having completed the LA Marathon and 13 half marathons, as well as volunteering, organizing women’s church retreats, motherhood, fundraising for cancer and Parkinson’s patients, and community organizing. These pursuits reflect my commitment to personal growth, community impact, and living a life aligned with my values.
Locations
Los Angeles General Medical Center Foundation
Santa Clarita, CA 91350