Ken Wilkerson

Kenneth “Ken” Wilkerson serves as Senior Government Relations Director for California at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. In this role, he leads ACS CAN’s California legislative and government relations strategy and represents the organization before the Legislature, administration, and key stakeholders. His work focuses on advancing evidence-based policies that improve cancer prevention and early detection, expand access to affordable health care, strengthen tobacco-control efforts, and protect funding for cancer research and public health programs.

Before joining ACS CAN, Ken served as Director of Governmental Affairs at a federally qualified health center (FQHC), where he directed legislative, regulatory, and community engagement strategies across California and Nevada. He previously held leadership roles at the California Department of Health Care Services, where he worked on complex legislation and policy affecting Medi-Cal and California’s broader health care system.

Ken brings extensive experience in legislative strategy, coalition building, stakeholder engagement, and health equity advocacy. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento.