Core Functions
In the absence of the HHS Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner serves as the Delegated Authority. The Office of the Deputy Commissioner is designed to deliver the following for team members and the citizens we serve:
- Strategic Alignment: deliver a portfolio-wide view of the agency to maintain alignment against our goals and strategic priorities.
- Internal Teaming: work alongside Programmatic and Business Division team members to drive cross-agency collaboration and facilitate resource allocation to support strategic initiatives
- Centers of Excellence (CoE): Maintain quality and efficiency of programs and services by operating internal cross-agency centers of excellence in functions including change management, quality management, and portfolio/performance management
- Knowledge Management: Create and maintain methodologies and tools to foster and deliver capability across the organization
- Project Management: support strategic initiative execution by providing project management services
Emily O'Brien
Deputy Commissioner
Emily focuses on aligning HHS programs and services with the agency’s strategic vision for North Dakota to be the healthiest state in the nation. She leads a comprehensive cross-agency and inter-agency performance measurement system that tracks the flow of dollars coming into and going out of the agency. In addition, Emily serves as the legislative liaison within HHS, facilitating effective communication and collaboration between HHS and the ND Legislative Assembly.
Emily brings extensive experience in health and human services and a deep understanding of HHS operations. Since 2017, she has served in the North Dakota Legislature representing District 42 in Grand Forks. During the past two legislative sessions, she served on the Human Resources Division of the Appropriations Committee, which oversees the HHS budget. In addition, Emily served as chief operation officer at the Bioscience Association of North Dakota.