Michael Painter

Managing Director, Programs, Nia Tero Foundation

Michael is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He came to Nia Tero from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation where he was a senior program officer from 2005 through 2020. In addition, Michael was a 2003-2004 RWJF Health Policy Fellow with Senator Frist, Majority Leader. In 2021, he also received the 2021 Susie Nanney Culture of Health Champion Award. Michael holds a JD from Stanford Law School and MD from the University of Washington and serves on the boards of Native Americans in Philanthropy, We Are Healers, and the Princeton Buddhist Meditation Group. Michael feels that a healthy future is one where human thrive in harmony with all living things.