Leah Mills is the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Prior to joining the Youngkin Administration, Leah worked at the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services where she supported policies and priorities to promote the independence, inclusion, and employment of all Virginians. Leah also served as a Legislative Analyst at the Virginia General Assembly’s Commission on Youth, which is tasked with studying and providing bipartisan solutions on a variety of issues impacting youth and their families. Mrs. Mills held several roles with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, including Director of the Agency’s Communications and Legislative Affairs Division. 

Leah earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Master of Public Administration degree from Virginia Tech. She is a volunteer for Chesterfield County and a member of Bethia United Methodist Church. Leah and her husband, Thomas, live in Chesterfield and have three grown children and three grandchildren.  

Lanette J. Walker, serves as the first Chief Financial Officer for Health and Human Resources in the Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Lanette worked with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association to support health system members in navigating state Medicaid administrative policy matters as the Senior Director of Medicaid Financial Policy. She also held several roles with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, including Director of the agency’s Budget Division. Lanette also has experience on Capitol Hill where she served as a Budget Analyst for the Congressional Budget Office for several years, among other past professional roles.

Lanette earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and her Master of Public Administration from George Washington University.

Hallie Pence is the Executive Director of Right Help, Right Now, Governor Youngkin’s mental and behavioral health care transformation plan. In this role, she leads initiatives to strengthen services so that those in crisis have someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go. She collaborates with partners to boost wellness and resiliency before, during, and after crisis, with a special focus on improving mental health outcomes for Virginia’s youth.  

Previously, Hallie served as the Governor’s Deputy Policy Director, overseeing policy issues across a portfolio of state agencies, including Health and Human Resources, Veterans and Defense, Museum Arts, and Public Safety. Prior to her tenure in Richmond, she worked on Capitol Hill for several Virginia congressional members, leading policy and the appropriations processes and managing portfolios in Defense, National Security, Agriculture, and Education.   

Hallie grew up in the Shenandoah Valley and earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia, double majoring in philosophy and government with a minor in Buddhism. At UVA, she was a program director and volunteer for Madison House’s Big Brothers Big Sisters and captained the Women’s Ski Team. 

Mindy Diaz Monay serves as a Special Assistant within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. She holds a Master of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Longwood University. Her strong academic background, combined with hands-on experience in public service and security-related roles, equips her with a unique perspective on integrating public safety and public health. 

Mindy's journey with the Office of Health and Human Resources began as an intern, where she gained valuable insights into government affairs through research, event coordination, and outreach efforts. During this time, she developed a strong passion for drug awareness and prevention, playing a key role in gathering and analyzing data to help shape effective prevention and intervention strategies. She later served as a 2024 fellow in the Governor’s Fellow Program under Governor Glenn Youngkin. 

In her free time, Mindy enjoys exploring the city and discovering hidden gems, particularly restaurants. As a self-proclaimed food critic, she’s always on the lookout for new dining experiences.

Julie Hammel serves as the Executive Assistant for the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Julie held various positions in the House of Delegates, such as Committee Operations Specialist and Administrative Assistant. She was a part of a select team that supported the first ever virtual General Assembly Session during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Julie is well versed in technology-based communications, inter-agency coordination, and administrative oversight. She is compelled by her drive to serve the Commonwealth and is equally devoted to serving her family. She is a proud mother of four, all of whom are pursuing public servant careers. A proud Hokie, Julie earned her Bachelor of Science in exercise science and Master of Arts in sports management from Virginia Tech. She is married to her college sweetheart and enjoys playing pickleball, gardening, and hiking. 

Anjali Jarral serves as a Special Assistant for the Secretariat of Health and Human Resources. With a strong background in public service, policy analysis, and community engagement, she is a dedicated professional committed to addressing complex issues in health and human resources. Anjali recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and double minors in Philosophy of Law and Business, providing her with a well-rounded perspective. 

Anjali has gained valuable experience working in the Virginia Governor’s Office and the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources as both an intern and a 2024 Governor’s Fellow. In these roles, she contributed to key public health initiatives such as maternal health and Right Help, Right Now by conducting legal and policy research, assisting in drafting legislation, and organizing events. This hands-on experience has sharpened her skills in strategic planning, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder collaboration, making her an asset in advancing organizational goals and public welfare. 

With a passion for improving community health and safety, Anjali draws on her solid foundation in academic research, international business, and public policy to drive meaningful impact in the field of health and human resources. Her commitment to evidence-based solutions and proactive problem-solving underscores her ability to contribute effectively to the Secretariat’s mission. 

Additionally, Anjali holds a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, showcasing her discipline, commitment, and strong work ethic. 

Craig Markva joined the Allen Administration in 1994 in the Office of Constituent Services, eventually becoming Director. In 1999, Craig began working at the Department of Medical Assistance Services where he served in various management capacities, until being asked by the Secretary to join the Health and Human Resources team in the Youngkin Administration.

Craig graduated from James Madison University in 1984 and Regent University in 1986. He and his wife Charlotte celebrated their 25th anniversary in April 2023.

Jona Roka serves as an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Resources. She is a skilled community health professional with extensive experience in organizing events, establishing partnerships, and improving workflows. Previously, she was the Community Health Lead at Ounce of Care in Washington, D.C., where she collaborated with organizations such as Martha's Table and Mamatoto Village.

Before that, Jona was a Research Assistant at the Center for International Stability and Recovery at James Madison University, analyzing data and contributing to state department reports. She was a graduate student coach of the Women’s Tennis Team at James Madison University.

Jona holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from James Madison University. She was a student-athlete on the Women’s Tennis Team, a service coordinator for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and a volunteer with Empowerment3 and the Boys and Girls Club.

Jona was born in Nepal and moved to Northern Virginia at the age of four. She is fluent in Nepalese and conversational in Hindi. Jona is dedicated to advancing community health initiatives through her diverse skills and experience.

Jesse Settle is an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Resources, where he applies his extensive experience in regulatory management and policy development. Before assuming this role, Jesse was a Policy Analyst in the Office of Regulatory Management. In that capacity, he helped the Commonwealth achieve $372 million in regulatory cost reductions and played a key role in developing artificial intelligence policy standards for state agencies under Executive Order 30. Jesse's work also included eliminating thousands of regulatory requirements and creating a state-wide permitting dashboard that tracks over 100,000 applications.

Jesse's experience extends beyond policy analysis. As a Governor’s Fellow in the Office of Transformation, he helped optimize DMV workflows and presented recommendations on innovation and choice in public education. His career also includes internships with Sentara Ambulatory Services, where he assisted in COVID-19 vaccine clinics, and media production work with the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune.

Jesse earned both his Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science in Media Arts from James Madison University. He remains active in his community, serving as the Director of the "Fallen Heroes Initiative" at the Vets on Track Foundation and as a Sound Engineer for the Area 10 Faith Community.

Virginia “Ren” Spotts is a Special Assistant in the Health and Human Resources Secretariat. A 2024 graduate of William & Mary, studying Neuroscience, Economics, and completing pre-med requirements, Ren’s interdisciplinary studies have prepared her to address the intersection of healthcare and policy.  

At William & Mary, Ren broadened her global health perspective through a study abroad program in Geneva, Switzerland, where she collaborated with world organizations on infectious disease mitigation. This experience, combined with her academic and research efforts, provides her with a comprehensive view of public health challenges.  

After graduation, Ren joined the Governor’s Fellow Program and worked in the Health and Human Resources Secretariat. She has contributed to key initiatives within the Secretariat and has also been active in the SB176/HB888 Workgroup on neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her work extends to legislative assistance and policy development, where she supports budget and legislative affairs. 

Ren’s diverse skills and passion for healthcare make her a valuable contributor to Virginia’s public health landscape. Outside of work, she’s an avid runner who has completed a marathon and is training for another. 

Pamela L. Walters is the Communications Advisor for Right Help, Right Now, Governor Youngkin’s mental and behavioral health care transformation plan. She is an accomplished marketing professional with extensive experience in strategic growth and raising awareness for diverse organizations. Most recently, she served as Senior Marketing Manager at Magellan Health, earning numerous MarCom Awards for her work on websites, webinars, and social media.

Previously, Pamela was a Customer Development Consultant at Sentara Health Plans, managing strategic campaigns, public relations, and event planning. At Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., a global non-profit supporting families and friends of alcoholics, she increased awareness and membership through effective marketing and data analysis. Earlier, Pamela worked as an Information and Communications Analyst for an agency of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), enhancing information flow and supporting program management. She began her career at Booz Allen Hamilton, supporting strategic initiatives.

Pamela holds a Master of Business Administration from Old Dominion University and Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Radford University. Among her volunteer work, she served for seven years as Vice President of Marketing for k5k: A Run for Kendra, an annual event raising scholarship funds for college-bound high school seniors who have lost a parent to cancer.