From the Frontlines to the Director’s Chair

  • CHCS Medicaid Leadership Institute (MLI) Fellow
  • CHCS Medicaid Pathways Program (MPP) Fellow
  • ICF Credentialed Coach
  • Former NAMD West Region Board Member
  • 20+ years in Medicaid (Provider to Director)

The 20-Year Journey

My career in Medicaid didn't start in a boardroom; it started on the frontlines. In 2004, I began my journey as a direct service provider in residential and behavioral health. Those seven years spent navigating the daily realities of care delivery formed the foundation of everything I do today. I learned early on that policy is only as good as its impact on the person receiving the service.

A Legacy of Innovation

In 2011, I transitioned into public service, spending over a decade within Arizona’s Medicaid agency (AHCCCS). During this time, I had the privilege of serving in senior leadership roles, helping to architect systems that became national models—including Arizona’s 988 crisis system and the strategic negotiation of $1.5B in ARPA funding for Home and Community Based Services.

Leading at the Highest Level

Most recently, I served as the State Medicaid Director for New Mexico. Leading an $11B program serving nearly one million enrollees was the honor of a lifetime. In this role, I navigated the high-stakes landscape of public administration to launch transformative initiatives, including innovative waivers for food-as-medicine and medical respite. I sat in the "hot seat" of legislative testimony and multi-billion dollar accountability, gaining a deep understanding of the unique pressures facing today’s public health executives.

The Triple Perspective

Today, I lead my practice with a "Triple Perspective" that is rare in the consulting world. I look at every challenge through the lens of:


  • The Executive Leader who must manage budgets, audits, and political scrutiny.
  • The Direct Provider who must operationalize complex policy on the ground.
  • The Loved One who experiences the system firsthand and feels the stakes of every decision.

My Mission

I returned to my private practice to bridge the divide between policy and people. Whether I am serving as a Strategic Advisor on complex system design or as an Executive Coach for a leader in the fire, my goal remains the same: to ensure that technical excellence never comes at the cost of human impact.

The Power of Focused Expertise. The Stability of a Decade.

In the complex landscape of Medicaid, mental health system design, and federal compliance, generalists aren't enough. You need specialists who have seen the evolution of the policy, the nuances of the finance, and the reality of the implementation.


At DSF Consulting LLC, we operate differently. Rather than maintaining the bloated overhead of a traditional large-scale firm, I lead a specialized consortium of subject matter experts who have collaborated as a cohesive unit for over ten years.


Our Integrated Advantage

When you partner with us, you aren't just hiring a consultant; you are activating a deeply vetted "bench" of veteran talent. Our decade-long history of working together means there is no onboarding curve and no fragmented communication. We provide a seamless, multi-disciplinary approach across four critical pillars:



  • Fiscal Architecture & Modeling: Precision Medicaid finance and sophisticated fiscal modeling to ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Legal & Regulatory Strategy: Deep-dive Medicaid legal expertise, including State Plan Amendments and complex Waiver (1115, 1915b/c, etc.) design.
  • Crisis & CCBHC System Design: End-to-end support for federal applications, system-wide oversight, and the architectural design of crisis response frameworks.
  • Managed Care & Oversight: Strategic MCO oversight and accountability structures that ensure systems perform exactly as intended.


The Boutique Experience. National-Level Strength.

We offer the best of both worlds: the high-touch, agile service of a boutique consultancy with the deep-bench technical strength required for state and federal-level projects. I serve as your single point of contact and lead architect, ensuring that every legal, fiscal, and operational strategy is perfectly aligned with your mission.