Nikki Highsmith Vernick, MPA
Nikki is a visionary and entrepreneurial leader with a passion for advancing social good in the world, especially for historically marginalized communities. As president and CEO, Nikki leads the Horizon Foundation in pursuing its vision to create a community free from systemic inequities where all people can live abundant and healthy lives. As the largest independent health foundation in Maryland, the Foundation, under Nikki’s leadership, is known for being an anti-racist, trust-centered philanthropy that does its work through innovative initiatives, authentic partnerships, strategic grantmaking and impactful advocacy.
Since joining the Foundation in 2012, Nikki has engaged the board, staff and community to launch several new transformative initiatives to demonstrably improve community health outcomes for all, including expanding access to health and mental health care, improving the public health environment in schools and communities and elevating racism and social determinants as key drivers of health. She has evolved the Foundation into a strategic, equity-centered and impact-driven foundation with a local, regional and national presence.
Nikki has over 30 years of philanthropic, nonprofit and government experience in health. She previously served as senior vice president for program at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) where she led national programs to improve health care for low-income Americans. Prior to that, she was deputy director of the Massachusetts Medicaid Managed Care Program, worked as a senior Medicaid analyst at the White House Office of Management and Budget and was a professional staff member for a U.S. Congressman and Texas State Representative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in public administration from American University.
Nikki currently serves as the vice chair of the board of Grantmakers in Health, a national philanthropy serving organization, and serves on the Howard County Local Children’s Board. She recently ended her decade of board service at both the National Academy of State Health Policy and the Maryland Philanthropy Network. Nikki is a faculty member for Georgetown University’s Philanthropy Certificate Program run by the Center for Public and Non-Profit Management. She previously served on the Maryland’s Department of Health’s Advisory Committee on Minority Health and in a governor-appointed role on the Maryland Health Quality and Cost Council. She served on the Howard County Spending and Affordability Committee and is a Leadership Howard County Class of 2014 graduate. Nikki has been the recipient of multiple local and state awards, including The Daily Record’s 2025 Influential Marylander, The Daily Record’s 2021 Most Admired CEO Award, Health Care Heroes Award for COVID-19 and The Baltimore Sun’s 50 Women to Watch in 2014, among others.
Outside of work, Nikki is a proud mother and wife and enjoys spending time in nature, traveling and getting lost in a good book.
