Marylou Sudders

Marylou served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under Governor Charlie Baker and was the longest-serving Secretary in the Commonwealth’s history. In this role, she oversaw 12 state agencies and the MassHealth program, managing a budget of more than $27 billion and a workforce of approximately 22,000 public employees. Her leadership encompassed programs providing treatment, care, and support to one in every three Massachusetts residents.

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During her tenure, Marylou led a comprehensive overhaul of Medicaid, transforming it into a population-based health program, and negotiated two multi-billion-dollar Medicaid demonstration waivers. She instituted systemic child welfare reforms and spearheaded significant investments in behavioral health, including implementation of the Behavioral Health Roadmap and resolution of two longstanding judicial consent decrees involving children’s mental health and acquired brain injury services. She also chaired the Commonwealth’s health and dental insurance marketplace and served as an inaugural member of the Health Policy Commission.

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Marylou led the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 pandemic response, advancing critical public health interventions and human service strategies to meet the needs of all Massachusetts residents. According to The Commonwealth Fund’s 2022 Scorecard on State Health Performance, Massachusetts—along with Hawaii—significantly outperformed all other states in its COVID-19 response.

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Throughout her career, she has remained grounded in the belief that behind every data point are individuals, families, and communities deserving of respect and support. A social worker by training, she has been a lifelong advocate for health equity and behavioral health reform.

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Prior to serving as Secretary, she was Massachusetts Commissioner of Mental Health, a nonprofit chief executive officer, and an associate professor and program chair at Boston College’s School of Social Work. She is the recipient of numerous civic, social work, and professional honors.