Alliance Health
Cheala Garland-Downey, MPA has a strong background in human resources with over two decades of work experience. Cheala currently holds the position of Chief Human Resources Officer at Alliance Health, a position they have held since January 2020. Prior to that, they served as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Alliance Health from November 2017 to December 2019.
Before joining Alliance Health, Garland-Downey worked at Durham County Government for ten years. Cheala held the role of Human Resources Manager from July 2011 to December 2016, and prior to that, they were the Senior Human Resources Analyst from April 2006 to June 2011.
Garland-Downey began their career at the American Red Cross, where they worked as a Human Resources Associate from February 2001 to March 2006. Cheala also gained early experience as an Employment Specialist at Hannaford Bros. Co. from 1997 to August 1999 at their Southeast Distribution Center.
Overall, Garland-Downey's work experience demonstrates their expertise in human resources management and their ability to navigate leadership positions within the field.
Cheala Garland-Downey, MPA, obtained their Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Cheala completed their undergraduate education from 1989 to 1993. Later, they pursued their Master's degree in Public Administration at Capella University from 2010 to 2013.
Alliance Health
Alliance Health manages the public mental health, intellectual/ developmental disability, and substance abuse services for over 230,000 Medicaid-eligible citizens within a total population of 1.8 million in Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, Mecklenburg, Orange, and Wake counties. Alliance's vision is to be a leader in North Carolina in transforming the delivery of whole-person care in the public sector. This vision guides us on our mission to improve the health and well-being of the people we serve by ensuring highly effective, community-based support and care. Further shaping our work are our core organizational values of accountability and integrity, collaboration, compassion, dignity and respect, and innovation. Alliance manages a diverse network of over 2300 private service providers and strives to ensure a dynamic, collegial workplace that provides opportunities for growth, success, and job satisfaction for its 800+ professional staff. Alliance has received full Health Network, Health Utilization Management, and Health Call Center accreditation from URAC.