Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: My Why for Leading Cardea

By: Bri Seoane, MPA, President & CEO, Cardea

I was waiting for the bus under the Conacaste tree when Josefina told me she was leaving the village. “I’m no good anymore. I have cancer down there, so I’m going to live with my sister. Chepe doesn’t want me around.” She was 48, with tired eyes, six kids—most grown—and already a grandmother. Two weeks earlier, I had taken refuge in the same shade during a funeral procession for Daniela’s young daughter, who unknowingly poisoned herself eating her mother’s vitamins, mistaking them for treats.

As a Peace Corps volunteer in a remote fishing and farming village in El Salvador, death and suffering were woven into daily life. For the young women on the soccer team I coached, the only dream was to “get out” before they got pregnant. For the people of La Barra, young and old, the barriers to health and well-being were overwhelming—no access to basic care, little to no reproductive education, and limited opportunities for economic mobility.

Under the shade of the Conacaste, I saw with stark clarity how deeply interconnected health, education, and opportunity are. It wasn’t just about providing information—it was about breaking cycles, shifting systems, and ensuring that every person, no matter where they lived or what resources they had, had the power to make informed choices about their future. That experience shaped everything that followed and lit a fire in me that still burns today.

From leading national health education initiatives in El Salvador to expanding family-centered care at Ronald McDonald House Charities in the Bay Area and driving sustainable, equity-focused growth at Girl Scouts of Northern California, my work has always been about impact where it matters most. I’ve spent my career ensuring that frontline organizations have the strategy, resources, data, and partnerships they need to create real, lasting change.

That’s why I am honored to step into the role of President & CEO of Cardea.

Cardea’s mission—to advance health and well-being for all—aligns deeply with my own. I have long admired its commitment to centering lived experiences, strengthening organizations, and driving change at the intersection of health, education, and policy. Now, I have the privilege of leading this work, partnering with an exceptional team to expand Cardea’s impact.

At this moment in history, the need for bold, strategic, and collaborative leadership in health and human services has never been greater. Structural barriers continue to limit access to care and opportunity for too many communities. But I believe—because I have seen it firsthand—that when organizations, professionals, and communities come together with shared purpose, we can create sustainable, systemic change.

This is my why. This is the work that has called to me since my Peace Corps service, and it remains my driving force today. I am excited for this new chapter, for the work ahead, and for the opportunity to join Cardea and our partners in building a future where access and well-being aren’t privileges—they are guarantees for all.