1. insights
  2. all access
  3. health equity
  4. cxo partnerships for health equity sustainability
Academy 360 | nursing-catalyst

CXO Partnerships for Health Equity Sustainability

Graphic with a deep blue gradient background displaying the word “Insights” and “360°” alongside The Health Management Academy logo in the bottom left corner.
Related Topics:
Health Equity
Relevant Roles:
Chief Health Equity Officers

As health systems face growing political, regulatory, and financial pressures, the success of health equity efforts depends on alignment with external-facing CXO leaders—like Chief Marketing Officers (CMKOs), Government Relations Officers (GROs), and Philanthropy/Foundation Executives (PHILs). These leaders have valuable relationships, messaging influence, and communication channels that can help or hinder progress. To move forward, health equity leaders must understand what motivates these roles and build strong partnerships to gain broader support.

CMKOs Are Stewards of Brand Identity

What they do: CMKOs oversee marketing strategy, consumer engagement, brand development, and public perception management.

Why this matters: Health equity efforts that reflect community values can reinforce brand identity and improve consumer access—but only if communicated well.

How to frame your goals:

  • Improve consumer access

  • Strengthen the system’s brand as a community partner

  • Optimize data and analytics around consumer behavior

What this could look like in practice: Highlight a gap in care—like Spanish-speaking mothers visiting the ED for deliveries but skipping prenatal care. Propose a joint communication campaign to redirect these patients to prenatal services.

GROs Reshape the Public Narrative

What they do: GROs manage government relationships, community relations, policy strategy, and legislative engagement at all levels.

Why this matters: Health equity wins are more sustainable when backed by policy, but GROs need clear, actionable stories to advocate effectively.

How to frame your goals:

  • Policy wins that reinforce public trust and secure funding

  • Strategic advocacy opportunities

  • Storylines that resonate across the political spectrum

What this could look in practice: Consult GROs to determine how promising outcomes from a children’s asthma health initiative align with current legislative priorities. Share the goal of petitioning state legislature to fund the initiative through future appropriations bills.

PHILs Secure Key Funding for Health Systems

What they do: PHILs oversee donor strategy, fundraising campaigns, and grantmaking to support system priorities.

Why this matters: Innovative equity work often needs flexible, early-stage funding—PHILs can deliver that if aligned.

How to frame your goals:

  • Donor interests and storytelling

  • Long-term impact and return on philanthropic investment

  • Strategies that preserve foundation value

What this could look in practice: Express the goal of aligning health equity investments with donor priorities to a PHIL to understand the kind of community needs resonate with donors. Work together to understand the donor value proposition related to specific pilot programs that can be leveraged to make the case for long-term operational spending.

The Health Impact Alliance gives C-suite leaders insight and guidance on how to advance their health equity goals. Click here to learn more about the Health Impact Alliance.