Nadeja Steager is a Grant Writer with California Consulting. Nadeja Steager is a visionary public sector executive with more than a decade of progressive leadership in governance, strategic planning, and large-scale systems
transformation across health, housing, and social services. She currently serves as Regional Program Manager for Rural Counties at Elevance Health (Anthem Blue Cross),
where she leads the design and execution of Medi-Cal/Medicaid-aligned programs across six California counties. In this role, she oversees multi-year initiatives, manages program budgets and performance metrics, ensures compliance with DHCS requirements, and
serves as a primary liaison to county and government partners to advance integrated, community-based care delivery.
Previously, Nadeja served as Executive Director of the Community Health Leadership Council San Joaquin, where she led a 25-year, 20-member cross-sector coalition of C-suite executives, academic leaders, and government officials advancing regional health equity, workforce development, and population health outcomes. She convened more than 35 public agencies to establish a countywide Youth Wellness Alliance, led a $100K Blue Zones community transformation initiative, supported Medicaid 1115 waiver and Whole Person Care implementation, and partnered with RAND Corporation on data-driven public health strategies. Her leadership consistently translated complex systems collaboration into measurable community impact.
Earlier, she served as Director and System Architect for the San Joaquin Pathways Community HUB, where she led a $1M+ initiative addressing Black maternal and infant health disparities through Community Health Worker models, secured over $800K in braided funding, and advised state partners on CalAIM policy and implementation. As
Chief Aide to the Mayor of Stockton, she directed cross-sector homelessness response strategies, established mayoral advisory councils, and coordinated interagency systems across housing, behavioral health, and public safety. She also supported countywide health system operations at the San Joaquin County Health Care Services Agency, overseeing coordination across a $400M, 1,200-employee enterprise spanning behavioral health, public health, Emergency Medical Services, and related population health services.
Nadeja is recognized for her ability to convene diverse stakeholders, influence policy, and operationalize equity-centered systems change. Her expertise spans value-based care, population health strategy, fiscal and contract oversight, crisis and change management, workforce development, and public-private partnership development. She is a published author, national speaker, and committed leader advancing equitable, community-centered outcomes across California’s public systems.