Pamela Hyde, Secretary

Human Services Department

Pamela Hyde was appointed as Cabinet Secretary for the Human Services Department in December 2002 by Governor Bill Richardson and was confirmed in January 2003 by the New Mexico State Senate.

A lawyer by training, Ms. Hyde has 25 years experience in management and consulting for public sector systems of healthcare and human services. She has held several key public sector management positions, including those of a state mental health director, state Medicaid director, and City housing and human services director, as well as CEO of a private non-profit behavioral healthcare organization that both managed care and provided direct services. She has consulted with state or local authorities and/or provider networks in over 15 states and over 25 different jurisdictions. One of her more recent projects was leadership of the 18-member national consulting team that conducted the statewide Behavioral Health Gaps Analysis for New Mexico.

Ms. Hyde is a member of or has served as a consultant to many national organizations, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the American College of Mental Health Administration, the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, and the United States Department of Justice. She has received awards from the National Governors Association, the Seattle Management Association, and a number of consumer and provider organizations for her leadership and creativity and for her commitment to the well-being of those who rely on publicly funded health and human services.

As Secretary of New Mexico’s Human Services Department, Ms. Hyde is committed to improving access, quality and accountability of health and human services programs for the residents of New Mexico.