The Medicaid Leadership Institute (MLI) provides Medicaid directors and their leadership teams from states and territories across the political spectrum a unique opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills. Founded by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) in 2009 with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this executive training initiative empowers Medicaid senior leaders to transform Medicaid agencies and policies, aiming to improve the health of their state’s residents.
Medicaid directors who are competitively selected to join MLI as Fellows participate in a 10-month professional development curriculum designed to increase individual leadership and communication skills, substantive knowledge, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capacity. It also provides Fellows with opportunities to engage their senior staff, typically five to 15 individuals, and support their individual and team development. This is achieved through a combination of program curriculum and a leadership project completed during the fellowship period.
The program includes four core program components:
- A competency-based leadership model: Fellows and their senior managers will receive expert training through a competency-based core leadership framework curriculum. This training includes a focus on inclusive leadership aiming to strengthen support for leaders’ self-awareness, accountability for their biases, and commitment to empowering others. This framework will guide core leadership topics, including personal leadership and self-management; setting and managing strategic direction; engaging and motivating people; practicing good public administration; and driving and delivering 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 is designed to help the Fellows and team members translate newly learned competencies into their daily practice.
- Alumni connections and mentorship: Each Fellow will be assigned an MLI alumnus who will be available as a mentor throughout the fellowship period. Alumni will support Fellows in exercising their leadership skills, addressing challenges, and offering advice on their leadership projects.
- Communications training: Recognizing the critical role of Medicaid directors in conveying the health impacts of their programs on people and communities, Fellows receive strategic communications training. The training emphasizes effectively articulating Medicaid’s value and amplifying community voices to both internal and external stakeholders.
MLI was established in 2009 by CHCS through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The 2025 cohort of MLI is the 14th class of Medicaid directors chosen for this prestigious executive training opportunity. Since 2009, 83 directors in 47 Medicaid agencies have participated in the program. Learn more about current and past fellows.
Banner Photo (clockwise from top-left): Carmen Heredia (Arizona), Stuart Portman (Georgia), Dana Flannery (New Mexico), Bill Hanna (Wisconsin), Monica Ogelby (Vermont), and Emily Zalkovsky (Texas).
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Alumni Perspectives
“The insights and relationships I built through MLI have been invaluable. I’m a more effective leader, with tools and connections that improved my team and our program.”
– Kevin Bagley, Medicaid Director, Nebraska, Class of 2022
“MLI provides Medicaid leaders with invaluable training — empowering them with confidence, resources, and a community to ensure innovation.”
– Cindy Beane, NAMD Board President, West Virginia Medicaid Director, Class of 2018
“MLI was a transformational experience and provided me with valuable leadership tools to overcome organizational challenges by focusing on change management.”
– Gary Smith, Medicaid Director, U.S. Virgin Islands, Class of 2020
