Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis is stepping into the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH).
The appointment, announced Thursday, February 19, places a nationally recognized infectious diseases physician and public health leader at the center of MFH’s statewide strategy. Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis will guide the Foundation’s work to remove barriers to health and opportunity across Missouri, ensuring that programs, partnerships, and policy efforts move in the same direction. She began her role on February 23, 2026.
For MFH President and CEO Dr. Dwayne Proctor, her arrival reflects the Foundation’s commitment to leadership that listens first — and then builds.
“Dr. Mati brings the rare combination of clinical expertise, executive leadership, and a deep commitment to uplifting community voices,” Proctor said. “Her career reflects her understanding that lasting change requires trust, investment in people, and coordination across systems. She knows that policy, infrastructure, and multisector partnerships all have to work together for Missourians to achieve their healthiest lives.”
Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis most recently served as Director of Health for the City of St. Louis, where she led a sweeping modernization of the city’s public health infrastructure. Under her leadership, the department expanded staffing, regained national reaccreditation, and launched two major bureaus — the Behavioral Health Bureau and the City Justice Center Health Monitoring Bureau — that brought new attention to mental health access and jail deaths.
She also championed mobile health initiatives that reached more than 13,000 residents annually, bringing care directly into neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked.
Her work drew regional and national attention for strengthening capacity, advancing policy, and rebuilding trust between institutions and the communities they serve.
Before entering government service, Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis practiced at the John Cochran Veterans Hospital and served on faculty at Washington University School of Medicine. Her leadership spans HIV medicine, medical education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She currently serves on the board of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and co‑hosts the organization’s “Let’s Talk ID” podcast — a platform that has amplified her voice globally. Her expertise has been featured by the BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, and other international outlets.
At MFH, Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis will serve as a key member of the Executive Team, working closely with Dr. Proctor and the Board of Directors to strengthen internal alignment and deepen partnerships across sectors. Her charge is clear: help Missouri move toward a future where geography, income, and background no longer determine health outcomes.
Her work will focus on amplifying community‑led solutions, coordinating systems that often operate in silos, and ensuring that MFH’s strategic plan translates into measurable change for families across the state.
Her appointment reinforces MFH’s role as a trusted statewide resource — one that understands that health equity requires both bold leadership and deep collaboration.
“The Foundation has always been a bold leader in health equity, centering its work on the broad sense of health,” Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis said. “MFH has a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and respecting the input of community partners.”
The opportunity arrives at a moment when Missouri’s health landscape is shifting — and when communities are demanding more from the systems meant to serve them.
“I’m excited to join the Foundation, especially at such a pivotal time,” she said. “I look forward to working alongside leaders across the state to strengthen alignment, deepen impact, and help ensure every Missourian has a fair opportunity to achieve their healthiest life.”