Social Welfare alumna Kimberly Rutledge MSW ’11, has been appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Interagency Executive Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH), where she will help guide statewide efforts to prevent and end homelessness through cross-agency collaboration. The council brings together leaders from state agencies to coordinate California’s homelessness response, align policies and resources, and improve outcomes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Rutledge currently serves as director of the California Department of Rehabilitation, leading the nation’s largest vocational rehabilitation and independent living program. Throughout her career, she has advanced policies that expand opportunity and improve services for older adults, people with disabilities and other vulnerable Californians. Before becoming director, she held leadership positions at the California Department of Rehabilitation and the California Department of Social Services, where she helped shape statewide policy on disability services, Adult Protective Services and In-Home Supportive Services.

Rutledge’s appointment reflects her longstanding commitment to public service and advancing equity for Californians.