Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Rebecca Matthews | The Trustees | University of West Florida
Skip to main content
University of West Florida lettermark University of West Florida logo University of West Florida logo
A headshot of Trustee Rebecca Matthews

Rebecca Matthews

  • Chair

Biography

Rebecca Matthews is Vice President of Automated Health Systems (AHS) – a national comprehensive health management services company offering technical and substantive program development and administration services specifically related to enrollment, outreach and education in partnership with state administered healthcare programs. Matthews represents AHS before policy makers, government and regulatory bodies, trade organizations, corporate entities and other key stakeholders at the national, state and local levels. She is also a subject matter expert for strategic business initiatives, procurement development, negotiation and implementation.

Prior to joining Automated Health Systems, Matthews was Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, a $430 million, nonprofit, public-private partnership created by the Florida Legislature to expand access to comprehensive and affordable health insurance for all Florida children. She also spearheaded marketing, customer services, eligibility, enrollment and other core administrative services for Florida KidsCare, the umbrella brand for the four government-sponsored health insurance programs in Florida.

Matthews served seven years in executive leadership and ultimately as Chief of Staff for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), a Cabinet agency charged with regulating Florida’s complex insurance marketplace. Early in her career, she was Government Affairs Director at the Florida Lottery and the Department of Management Services. Before her work in state government, she was a communications professional with the Florida Bankers Association, Florida Medical Association and statewide political campaigns.

During 2018-2019, Matthews was appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to the Gubernatorial Wellness Policy Transition Advisory Committee. She has served on the Florida State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Care and Education housed within the Florida Department of Education. Matthews has volunteered her time with children/teens as a reading tutor, college and career readiness coach and teaching STEM and entrepreneurship. Matthews also served as a volunteer director for the National Work Readiness Council, a national nonprofit workforce development, training and advocacy organization. In 2021, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran appointed Matthews to serve as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Florida Education Foundation (FEF). Subsequently, in 2022, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., named Matthews as Board Chair of the FEF and she continues to serve in this capacity today. FEF is a direct support organization for the Department of Education charged with raising funds to support many programs and events. These efforts create opportunities for students to engage in civics and debate, literacy development, leadership, and the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. FEF also encourages the development of teachers and celebrates their contributions to student achievement.

Matthews was born in Pensacola and completed most of her early education there before moving to Tampa. She attended Florida State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and a minor in Political Science. Matthews continues to reside in Tallahassee with her husband, while their children are currently attending Florida universities.

Term:

  • 1/7/25 - 1/6/30