Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts names new Executive Director

BOSTON–Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts have named Nate Horwitz-Willis, DrPH, MPH, MPA as the new Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Executive Director of the Advocacy Fund, PPLM’s political and advocacy arm.

During a pivotal moment for abortion rights nationally, and while PPLM is committed to continuing to fight for the full spectrum of patients’ health, Horwitz-Willis’ long history in public health and expertise in health equity make him well equipped for the role.

“Nate is the right leader at the right time. The national attacks on abortion rights, including the over 600 restrictions introduced in 2021, have made it crystal clear that investing in state-level advocacy is critical,” said Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, President and CEO of PPLM and PPAF. “In the past five years, the Advocacy Fund has doubled in size. As we continue to invest in sexual health and reproductive freedom advocacy across Massachusetts, I am confident Nate’s strategic vision and leadership will guide the Advocacy Fund—and our movement—forward.”

Nate Horwitz-Willis is a Doctor of Public Health with experience in public policy, government, community health.

“I’m honored and humbled for my selection to lead and serve as PPAF’s Executive Director and PPLM’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs. I vow to be a champion, supporter, leader, and advocate for the equitable health and economic well-being for the communities PPLM serves,” said Horwitz-Willis. “I am committed to advocating for the dismantling of systemic control of a people’s reproductive freedom, including abortion access. This commitment and advocacy particularly extends to creating and sustaining the health and wellbeing of communities that have been historically and systematically oppressed. We are in the midst of health equity, economic, and legal paradigm shifts across the country that significantly threaten the livelihoods of Black, brown, and indigenous peoples and people with low incomes. Engaging in this work with PPLM and PPAF is critical to ensuring Massachusetts remains a national leader in the fight for abortion access.”

Dr. Nate Horwitz-Willis (he/him/his) is a Doctor of Public Health and received his training from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health. His health care and public health experiences encompass policy, government, community health, and the use of public health and health care technology to promote and protect the health of communities. He has been a public health professional for over a decade at the local, national, and international levels.

Nate is a decorated Public Health Officer in the United States Air Force for the Massachusetts Air National Guard and has experience teaching in academia with numerous peer-reviewed publications. He is a Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society inductee, a member of the International Faculty of Public Health and was recognized by the Massachusetts Public Health Association as a ‘Rising Star’. He serves on the Beth Israel Health and Pharmacy Board of Trustees.

He resides in the neighborhood of Dorchester in Boston, MA.

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Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) is the largest freestanding reproductive health care provider and advocate in the Commonwealth, providing sexual and reproductive health care to more than 30,000 patients per year. PPLM provides a wide range of preventive health care services including lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, STD testing and treatment as well as abortion services. We ensure that women have accurate information about all of their options. For more than 90 years, PPLM has protected and promoted sexual and reproductive health and rights through clinical services, education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.pplm.org.

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF) is the advocacy and political arm of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM). Formed in 1984, PPAF believes that working within the political process is critical to advancing PPLM’s mission to increase access to sexual and reproductive health services and comprehensive sexuality education for women, men, and families across Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.pplmvotes.org.

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