The Medicaid Leadership Institute (MLI) offers Medicaid directors and their senior teams a unique opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills to achieve lasting change. Supported by Arnold Ventures, this program helps directors deepen their capacity to lead and strengthen their ability to shape effective policy. MLI is an initiative of the National Medicaid Leadership Center (Leadership Center), a national hub that helps states and territories build strong leadership and organizational capacity.

Medicaid directors who are competitively selected for MLI participate in a 10-month fellowship designed to strengthen individual leadership and communication skills, deepen substantive knowledge, and enhance strategic thinking and problem-solving capacity. The program also offers opportunities for fellows to support their senior staff in individual and team development. Fellows apply what they learn through a structured curriculum and a hands-on leadership project completed during the fellowship.

Impact

The upcoming 2027 class of MLI marks the program’s 16th cohort of Medicaid directors selected for this prestigious executive training opportunity. Learn about current and past Fellows.

2x

The average tenure for MLI alumni compared to directors nationally.

89

Fellows representing 49 Medicaid agencies since 2009.

50%+

NAMD board members have been MLI alumni since 2010.

11

MLI alumni have served in senior federal roles, including CMS and MACPAC.

Program Components

MLI includes four core program components:

  • A competency-based leadership model: Fellows and their senior managers receive expert leadership training built around a core set of competencies essential for success in the public sector. The curriculum helps participants strengthen their self-awareness, lead with clarity, and empower their teams. It covers key areas such as personal leadership and self-management, setting strategic direction, motivating and engaging staff, practicing effective public administration, and delivering measurable results.
  • Individualized leadership coaching for Fellows and select senior staff: Each fellow is assigned a leadership coach for themselves and three senior team members. Coaching helps the Fellows and team members set personal goals and translate these goals into specific actions they can integrate into their daily practice.
  • Alumni connections and mentorship: Building strong connections with Medicaid peers across the nation is a key benefit of the program. Each MLI Fellow is paired with an MLI alumnus who serves as a mentor throughout the fellowship period. Fellows can also tap into the full community of MLI alumni to support their leadership growth, address challenges, and advance their leadership projects.
  • Communications training: Recognizing the critical role of Medicaid directors in conveying the impacts of their programs on people and communities, Fellows receive strategic communications training. Training emphasizes articulating Medicaid’s value and amplifying community voices to both internal and external stakeholders.

MLI was launched in 2009 with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which sustained the program’s growth for 16 years. Learn more about our approach and faculty.

Request for Applications

CHCS is accepting applications for the 2027 cohort of this 10-month professional development program, which will include six competitively selected Medicaid directors. To learn more, including about upcoming information sessions, prospective applicants can download the Request for Applications. Applications are due June 30, 2026.

About the National Medicaid Leadership Center

The National Medicaid Leadership Center, led by the Center for Health Care Strategies, provides leadership and capacity-building training to help Medicaid and health and human services agency leaders navigate a rapidly evolving health care landscape. The Leadership Center equips state and territory officials to drive meaningful change, strengthen programs, and improve care for the communities they serve. Learn more

Banner photo of MLI Class of 2026 (top left to bottom right): Luisa Kuaea, American Samoa; Drew Wilson, Delaware; Christine Osterlund, Kansas; Drew Gonshorowski, Nebraska; Ann Jensen, Nevada; Emma Sandoe, Oregon.