Sarah Ness is president and CEO of PeaceHealth, a nonprofit Catholic health system serving communities across Washington, Oregon and Alaska through nine medical centers, more than 160 multi-specialty clinics, and a workforce of more than 16,000 caregivers.
Ms. Ness became president and CEO in early 2026, succeeding longtime leader Liz Dunne, after rising through a series of senior roles at the organization. She previously served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer, overseeing human resources, mission integration, organizational integrity, and marketing and communications. She earlier held roles including chief of staff and system leadership in marketing and consumer analytics.
Before joining PeaceHealth, she built a career as a marketing and communications executive working with prominent Pacific Northwest retail brands. She earned an MBA from City University of Seattle and a dual bachelor’s degree in business administration and humanities from Seattle University.
Ms. Ness brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, with stated priorities around strengthening the workforce and modernizing PeaceHealth’s care-delivery and service model. Recognized for her deep institutional knowledge and operational breadth, she is focused on building deeper connections across the communities PeaceHealth serves. Her leadership reflects the system’s mission and its commitment to compassionate care.