Jennifer Dexter

Vice President, Policy  |  jdexter@nhcouncil.org

From her roots growing up in Arlington to her current family home in Silver Spring, Jennifer Dexter is a proud life-long resident of the Washington D.C. region. Dexter believes she may have always been destined to speak up for those who were left marginalized by the health care system. Even as a child, she closely watched and was inspired by her mothers work as a special education teacher in Prince Williams County school system.

Since that first childhood brush with advocacy and education, Dexter has amassed more than 20 years of experience in the field of public policy development. Now, in her role as the Vice President of Policy with the National Health Council, Dexter helps the groups member organizations to establish policy positions which seek to improve the lives of people with chronic diseases and disabilities.

Dexter is also one of the NHC’s most visible public faces, often making her way over to Capitol Hill itself where she further advocates for critical health care reform policies with key lawmakers and representatives from the executive branch.

Prior to joining the NHC in September 2019, Dexter spent two and a half years as a product director at Anthem, Inc. helping them develop and shape Medicaid solutions that supported people with disabilities, older adults, and children in foster care. Prior to that, Dexter led Easterseals’ efforts with Congress annually to assure funding for all federal programs serving people with disabilities and older adults, including Easterseals’ federal programs.

Dexter worked with Congress to create and strengthen public policy affecting people with disabilities and older adults, particularly in long-term services and supports. From her time at Easterseals’ to her current work with the NHC, the continued protection and enhancement of legislation such as the Affordable Care Act has been a top priority for Dexter and her team.

During her down time, Dexter is kept happily occupied as the mother an incredibly busy teenage son, as they bond over their shared love of basketball. Dexter earned her BA in political science from Washington University in St. Louis.