North Sound ACH announces incoming CEO

Arlesia Bailey to succeed Liz Baxter as the organization’s leader on July 1, 2026

After a thoughtful search and interview process, the North Sound Accountable Community of Health (ACH) Board of Directors has selected Arlesia Bailey to be its next Chief Executive Officer. North Sound ACH is a nonprofit organization serving a five-county region in Northwest Washington which supports a diverse array of partners and organizations to meet the health, social, and other needs of community members so they can thrive.

Arlesia has been part of North Sound ACH’s leadership team since March 2024, when she joined as the Chief Transformation Officer, leading work across the region’s five counties – Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom – spanning Medicaid waiver implementation, health-related social needs, and care coordination, with a focus on sustainability as conditions change. The Board’s decision reflects confidence in Arlesia’s leadership, deep commitment to health equity, and ability to guide the organization into its next chapter while staying grounded in North Sound ACH’s mission to advance community health and well-being throughout the region. She will officially assume the role of CEO on July 1, 2026.

Our regional partners are facing a tough economic climate along with reductions in public health and social services. Arlesia brings transformational leadership, with 30+ years at the intersection of healthcare, public systems, and community which will serve North Sound ACH and our network of partners well. She understands the importance of relationships among and with partners, especially with the tribes in the North Sound region – those relationships and shared wisdom have shaped North Sound ACH for the last 10 years.  

Prior to joining North Sound ACH, Arlesia served as a senior leader at Seattle Children’s, where she led major health equity investments, including the expansion of primary care into historically under-resourced communities. She is also a co-founder and partner of weAVS Collective, a health equity and social justice consulting firm that supports health systems nationally. Arlesia resides in Seattle and has served on the boards of Wellspring Family Services, Seattle Youth Recreation Foundation, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Seattle.

Arlesia often introduces herself first as “Charley, Geneva, and Marie’s granddaughter.” The stories and lived experiences of her grandparents — all of whom migrated north from the Deep South — profoundly shaped her understanding of community, resilience, and inequity. Their influence continues to guide her commitment to centering community voice, disrupting inequities, and improving health outcomes for all people.

There will be a thoughtful transition between outgoing CEO Liz Baxter and Arlesia, who already have a strong working relationship. “I cannot have imagined a better candidate for this role,” Liz shared. “North Sound ACH and its partners are very special and knowing that the work and relationships are in good hands means so much. We had incredible candidates, and to have Arlesia be the Board’s selection is inspiring. She will lead the organization into its next chapter and I’m excited to see what comes next.” 

“Arlesia brings the experience, relationships, and values-centered leadership needed to guide North Sound ACH into its next chapter,” shared Board Chair Kevin Riley.

The Board and staff also expressed deep appreciation for Liz, the founding CEO of North Sound ACH. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I also want to express our deep gratitude to Liz Baxter for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to this organization and region,” said Kevin Riley. “Liz helped build North Sound ACH from the ground up and established a strong foundation rooted in partnership, equity, and community trust. We are grateful for her leadership and for her support in ensuring a thoughtful transition into this next era.”

For more information, please contact us at Communications@NorthSoundACH.org.