Steering the Ship in Transitions: The Role of Senior Deputies

When Medicaid agencies experience leadership changes, deputy and interim leaders play a critical role in keeping priorities on track. This episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast explores how these leaders maintain continuity, guide day-to-day decision-making, and support agency teams during leadership transitions. The discussion highlights how interim leaders can help staff focus on core responsibilities, prioritize near-term decisions, prepare incoming directors, and keep members at the center of the work.

The conversation features perspectives from a current and former interim Medicaid director:

• Krista Fremming, interim North Dakota Medicaid director
• Jeff Lunardi, senior principal, Mercer and former interim Virginia Medicaid director

Listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.

The episode is hosted by Mark Larson, vice president, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) and former Vermont Medicaid director, and Kate McEvoy, executive director, National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and former Connecticut Medicaid director. The Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, an initiative of CHCS’ National Medicaid Leadership Center, explores priority topics for Medicaid leaders. It is jointly developed by NAMD and CHCS. The 2026 season is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.