About Us
About the Office
The Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources oversees Virginia's public health, disability services, benefits programs, and social services programs, which work together to keep Virginians safe, secure, and supported. Through these agencies, we license health practitioners and facilities, ensure safe drinking water, and administer programs like Virginia Medicaid, SNAP, family services, behavioral health, and long-term care.
Staff
Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Marvin B. Figueroa
Marvin B. Figueroa currently serves as Governor Spanberger’s Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Across the private and public sectors, he has focused on expanding access to affordable care, strengthening programs that support families, and improving how government meets the needs of communities. His career has been guided by a core belief that policy should widen opportunity and give people a fair shot.
Figueroa has held senior leadership roles across the federal government, advancing bipartisan efforts to improve health outcomes and modernize national policy. As a senior official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he worked closely with governors, state agencies, and local leaders to carry out national priorities and strengthen the delivery of essential services. During his time as Health Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator Mark Warner, he helped craft and pass the CHRONIC Care Act, landmark legislation that improved care for individuals with complex medical needs and strengthened Medicare’s ability to support people living with chronic conditions. He later served as a Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate.
A longtime Virginian, Figueroa previously served as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Governor Ralph Northam. In that role, he collaborated with agency leaders, health systems, and community partners to expand Medicaid, broaden behavioral health supports, strengthen social services, and improve public health operations. These efforts expanded the Commonwealth’s capacity to deliver services across both rural and urban communities and helped ensure programs were dependable and responsive to residents’ needs.
Figueroa shares Governor Spanberger’s commitment to practical, results-driven solutions that matter at the kitchen table. Throughout his career, he has worked across party lines to improve access to care, respond to community challenges, and ensure government delivers meaningful progress. His approach to public service emphasizes listening first, building strong partnerships, and focusing on outcomes people can see and feel.
Figueroa is a graduate of the University of Virginia Sorensen Political Leaders Program and Lead Virginia. Originally from La Ceiba, Honduras, and a POSSE Foundation Scholar, he earned degrees from Vanderbilt University and Harvard University.
He lives in Richmond, Virginia, and remains deeply committed to serving the Commonwealth he has long called home.
Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Lauryn Walker
Lauryn Walker serves as the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia under Governor Spanberger. Prior to her current role, Lauryn served as Chief Strategy Officer for the Virginia Center for Health Innovation (VCHI), a public-private partnership leading the Virginia Task Force on Primary Care. Through this role, she convened stakeholders across healthcare industries, designed and implemented multi-payer payment models, evaluated programs, and developed policy strategies to support primary care. Additionally, Lauryn was the inaugural Executive Director of the Research Consortium at VCHI.
Her career spans both state and federal policy. She served as the Interim Chief of Population Health and Senior Advisor to the Chief Actuary and Chief Strategy Officer for North Carolina Medicaid, where she advanced efforts to integrate behavioral and physical health. Lauryn also served as the Senior Advisor to the Chief Deputy and Chief Health Economist at Virginia Medicaid. Earlier in her career, Lauryn evaluated Medicaid Section 1115 waivers, Medicaid expansion outcomes and financial incentive programs. She also served as a health fellow for the U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader.
Lauryn was a founding board member and president of the Richmond Aging and Engaging Board, a community-based organization providing well-being services to Virginia's low-income seniors, and a member of the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.
She holds a BSN and MPH from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Toni Blue
Toni Blue serves as the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia, where she was appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger to support one of the largest and most complex secretariats in state government, overseeing critical programs that impact the health, safety, and economic stability of millions of Virginians. A nationally recognized leader in health and human services, Toni brings more than two decades of experience shaping policy, leading large-scale initiatives, and driving systems change across the public and private sectors. She is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions that remove barriers, expand opportunities, and help individuals, families, and communities thrive.
Prior to joining the Secretariat, Toni spent four years in the private sector as a national thought leader in human services modernization, advising states on policy, operations, and technology transformation. She previously served as Senior Director of the Division of Benefit Programs at the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), where she led the administration of major public assistance programs such as SNAP and TANF and played a key role in Virginia’s Medicaid expansion and the Commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A recipient of the 2021 VDSS Leader of the Year Award, Toni is a fierce advocate for health equity, food security, access to quality childcare, and effective public service delivery. She holds a Certificate in Lean Six Sigma from Vanderbilt University, is a graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute, and earned her bachelor's degree from Virginia State University.
Above all, her proudest role is being the mother of her two children, Cameron O’Neal and Kennedy Blue.
Senior Policy Advisor and Legislative Liaison
Hope Richardson
Hope Richardson is a Senior Policy Advisor and Legislative Liaison detailed to the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. She is a longtime staffer of the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), Virginia’s state Medicaid agency, where she has served in a variety of policy advisory and project management roles, including most recently as a Senior Advisor to the Chief Deputy Director.
Hope also previously served as DMAS policy lead for the CHIP/FAMIS Programs for children and pregnant/postpartum individuals. In her time at DMAS she had the opportunity to work on projects including planning and implementation of Virginia’s 12-months postpartum demonstration, expanding justice-involved youth reentry services, managed care coordination for youth in psychiatric residential treatment facilities, and the launch of the agency’s CHIP Health Services Initiatives.
Prior to moving to Virginia, Hope worked as a policy analyst focusing on state and federal poverty reduction programs and workforce supports at organizations including the California Budget and Policy Center and the San Francisco Human Services Agency. She holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree from the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California-Berkeley.
Senior Policy Advisor
Lucy Schwartz
Lucy Schwartz serves as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, where she advises on a variety of policy issues including prescription drug affordability, behavioral health & crisis services, child & family supports, and reproductive health access.
Prior to her time in the Secretary’s office, Lucy served as a Legislative Assistant in Governor Spanberger’s Congressional Office for Virginia’s Seventh District. While working in this role, Lucy covered a variety of policy issues for the Governor, including healthcare, housing, and immigration. Following her time working for the Governor in Congress, Lucy served as a Policy Specialist on the Spanberger for Governor campaign and then on the Governor’s Transition as a member of the policy team—where she continued to cover numerous issues, including healthcare policy. Before working for Governor Spanberger, Lucy worked at a lobbying and strategic communications firm—FGS Global—where she served as a Senior Associate. Lucy developed her passion for public service and policy through her time serving as a Senate Page and interning on—and around—Capitol Hill, including for Senator Blumenthal and Representative Hoyer.
Lucy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Government, and Communications from Davidson College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and as a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. Lucy graduated with Honors in Political Science for her thesis on reproductive care during the COVID-19 pandemic, entitled “A Case Study of the Implications of American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists v. the United States Food and Drug Administration”.
Lucy lives in Richmond, Virginia.
Senior Policy Advisor
Emma Ford
Emma Ford currently serves as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources in the Office of Governor Abigail Spanberger. Emma brings to the role a background in both state and federal health policy through public sector, non-profit, and academic experience.
Previously, Emma served as the Health Policy Analyst at the Century Foundation, conducting analysis on the impacts of federal action on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. She also served as a Presidential Management Fellow at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working to reduce churn and improve coverage transitions within the federal Marketplace.
Earlier in her career, Emma served as the research analyst for the Virginia Health Care Foundation where she supported the Foundation's work to address workforce barriers within Virginia's behavioral health pipeline.
Emma holds a bachelor's degree in economics and public policy from the College of William and Mary and a master's degree in public policy from Georgetown University.
Special Assistant
Mindy Diaz
Mindy Diaz serves as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. She was a 2024 Governor's Fellow, an experience that further strengthened her commitment to public service and state government leadership.
She earned her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Longwood University and her master's degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her professional interests center on the intersection of public safety and public health, with a particular focus on child welfare.
Outside of work, Diaz enjoys exploring Richmond's vibrant dining scene and proudly considers herself an enthusiastic food critic.
Special Assistant
Micah Clark
Micah Clark is a lifelong Virginian and a proud graduate of Virginia State University. He previously served as a staff member in the Office of Speaker Don Scott, where he gained experience in public service, government operations, and community engagement. Micah is passionate about serving the Commonwealth and is committed to making a positive impact through public service.
Analyst
Jack Siegel
Jack Siegel is an Analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, where he supports constituent services, board appointments, digital projects, and outreach. An emerging public servant, Jack was previously selected for the Virginia Management Fellows program (VMF), a two-year state-level leadership development experience for recent graduates.
Previously, Jack supported the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) in accessibility policy, grants development, and digital communications. He has also interned in health policy and constituent services in the Office of Senator Mark R. Warner, the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, and the Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
Jack holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia, where he majored in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law (PPL) and Music. Originally hailing from Memphis, TN, he is proud to serve the Commonwealth he has come to call home.
Rural Health Transformation
Director, Rural Health Transformation
Heidi Hertz
Heidi Hertz recently joined the Secretariat of Health and Human Resources as Director of Rural Health Transformation. Known for her collaborative and adaptable leadership style, Heidi brings experience from both the public and private sectors, with expertise in strategic planning, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.
She previously served as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry in the Office of Governor Ralph Northam, where she helped advance policy and budget priorities supporting rural communities. She has also worked in multiple state agencies including the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and recently worked for Cozen O’Connor where she provided government relations services for a variety of clients.
Heidi is a Registered Dietitian and holds degrees from Virginia Tech and James Madison University. A native of rural Lunenburg County, she currently lives in Richmond with her family.
Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Rural Health Transformation
Rushawna Senior
Rushawna Senior serves as Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives for Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Fund within the Secretariat of Health and Human Resources, where she leads strategic initiatives, executive coordination, and operational planning to advance healthcare access and outcomes across rural communities in the Commonwealth.
Prior to this role, she served as Chief of Staff at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and as Director of Operations for the 21st Surgeon General of the United States, where she provided strategic leadership, managed complex organizational initiatives, and supported senior executives in advancing mission-critical priorities.
Her public service career includes leadership roles as Senior Policy Analyst to the Governor of Virginia, Assistant Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Senior Assistant to the Mayor of Richmond, and Senior Operations Clerk for the Virginia House of Delegates.
A proud veteran of the Virginia Army National Guard, Rushawna holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Old Dominion University and a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech.
