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Date: March 6, 2026
To: BHS Contracted Service Providers
From: Nadia Privara, Director, Behavioral Health Services
General Topic: Assistant Director, Chief Strategy & Finance Officer
Subject: BHS Announcement - Assistant Director, Chief Strategy & Finance Officer
I am excited to announce that Liberty Donnelly has been selected as the Assistant Director, Chief Strategy and Finance Officer for Behavioral Health Services. Liberty has been serving in the Acting role in BHS since April 2025, where she has provided critical leadership and oversight, managing the Communications and Engagement, Finance, Data Science, and Grant Development teams. She will continue to be instrumental in leading efforts to improve BHS’ financial health through improved Medi-Cal billing, revenue optimization, the transition of BHS to a standalone department, and implementation of new initiatives, including the Behavioral Health Services Act and BH-CONNECT. She will also oversee the nearly $1.3 billion BHS budget.
Prior to stepping into the Acting Assistant Director role in BHSA, Liberty served as a Deputy Director overseeing strategy, business planning, and budget and fiscal operations for Housing and Community Development Services (HCDS) and the Housing Authority of San Diego County, which manages an annual operating budget of $427 million. Before joining HCDS, Liberty provided executive oversight to the Office of Equitable Communities and the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and was responsible for administrative services within the Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities (HSEC). Earlier in her County career, Liberty served as a Deputy Director and Chief in HHSA’s Central and South Regions, providing operational oversight to more than 1,400 staff within Public Health and Family Resource Centers, including programs supporting child protective services and community health for the County’s most vulnerable populations.
Liberty began her County career with Behavioral Health Services in 2012, where she oversaw a variety of programs focused on substance use and mental health services, prevention initiatives serving seniors and refugees, public information campaigns such as “It’s Up 2 Us,” management information systems, and strategic and business planning, including oversight of the Behavioral Health Advisory Board. Prior to joining the County, Liberty spent more than 13 years in the nonprofit sector, serving as Chief of Staff and Administrative Services Manager for behavioral health providers specializing in mental health and substance use services.
Liberty holds a master’s degree in public administration from San Diego State University. She brings a wealth of experience, deep institutional knowledge, and strong strategic leadership to this role. Her official first day in the permanent position is Friday, March 6, 2026.
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