Perla Cavazos serves as the Chief Governance and Government Affairs Officer at Central Health. She is a health care executive and advocate for social and economic justice. For over 25 years she has championed access to health care, public education, affordable housing, and legal aid for underserved communities. Born in San Benito, Texas, Perla’s passion for social and economic justice grew from her personal experiences growing up on the Texas-Mexico border.
As Central Health’s Chief Governance and Government Affairs Officer, Perla oversees Board Governance and Government Affairs and ensures that residents with low income in Travis County have access to affordable, comprehensive health care services. In 2023 Perla served as the Interim President and CEO of Sendero Health Plans, a community health plan created by Central Health.
Perla previously worked for the Texas Legal Services Center, Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and in the Texas Senate as a Senior Policy Analyst and Legislative Director. She is an active volunteer in the community. Perla has a BA from Stanford University and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.