Gov. Whitmer Announces Acting MDHHS Director & Staff Promotions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2026

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Announces Acting MDHHS Director & Staff Promotions

Governor thanks Director Hertel for leading MDHHS as she moves to a new chapter in her career

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Amy Epkey will serve as acting director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The governor also announced additional promotions and hires within the executive office.

"Today, I am proud to announce several talented public servants stepping into new roles to help our administration keep delivering for the people of Michigan," said Governor Whitmer. "Amy Epkey brings decades of experience in state government and a proven record of leadership, and I am confident she will continue the important work of the Department of Health and Human Services. I also want to thank Director Hertel for her dedicated service to our state. Under her leadership, MDHHS helped Michigan navigate unprecedented challenges, expanded access to health care, strengthened behavioral health services, and improved outcomes for families across our state. I am grateful for her partnership and wish her continued success in her next chapter."

Amy Epkey, Acting Director of MDHHS

Amy Epkey will serve as the acting director of MDHHS beginning July 1. Epkey previously held the senior deputy director position for the Financial Operations Administration at MDHHS, where she oversaw the department's budget, contracts and grants, finance and accounting, audit functions and information technology financial support services. Responsible for overseeing the department's nearly $40 billion budget, Epkey has played a key role in negotiating with the Legislature on the passage of four bipartisan balanced budgets, developing and leading the implementation of strategic priorities, and ensuring alignment across all levels of the department.

Epkey has held numerous roles across departments in state government. She served as senior deputy director for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), where she oversaw the department's annual budget, helped develop and implement EGLE's strategic plan, coordinated its training and outreach efforts and legal services and testified before the state Legislature on priority issues, among other duties. She also worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, where she eventually served simultaneously as policy advisor to the department director and the department's budget officer.

Epkey has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University.

After leading the department since 2021, Director Hertel has announced her last day at MDHHS will be June 30. Under Director Hertel's leadership, the department has built out the community behavioral health continuum of care and designed two state-of-the-art state psychiatric hospitals, launched the Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda and redesigned the way children's services are delivered through the CSA teaming model, implemented substance use disorder programming which lowered the overdose death rate by 47 percent since 2021, protected residents access to Medicaid and SNAP, created scholarships and stipends to build the health care workforce, and recorded Michigan's lowest infant mortality rate in its history in 2025.

Karen Kudelko, Director of Federal Affairs

Karen Kudelko will serve as director of federal affairs for Governor Whitmer, leading the administration's engagement with federal agencies, Congress, and key national stakeholders. She previously served as senior deputy director of federal affairs, overseeing issues including energy, environment, Great Lakes, defense, homeland security, and judiciary matters.

She was previously a communications officer on issues of children and families, science, and local giving with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos, California. Prior to that, she served as senior counsel and policy advisor to the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings and the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, covering criminal justice, civil rights, voting rights, and immigration. Karen started her career in policy as an associate at the DC law firm Squire Patton Boggs, LLP. A Michigan native, she spent her first year as a lawyer in Michigan's Thumb area, serving survivors of domestic violence in civil matters with Lakeshore Legal Aid.

Karen holds a Juris Doctorate from Yale University and completed her undergrad at Brown University.

Kristina Pinault, Communications Senior Advisor

Kristina Pinault has been promoted to communications senior advisor. She first joined the Executive Office of the Governor in 2025 as communications research director. Before working in the governor's office, Kristina worked at an accountability watchdog group and in the United States Senate. Kristina is a graduate of Catholic University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics with minors in Spanish, Philosophy, Theology, and Latin American Studies.

Kylie Spagnuolo, Policy Analyst

Kylie Spagnuolo has been promoted to policy analyst. She previously served in the policy assistant and correspondence assistant roles in the Executive Office of the Governor. Before that, Kylie worked as the operations manager and then a legislative advisor for Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a dual degree in Political Science and International Studies.

Andrew Yaklin, Office and Correspondence Assistant

Andrew Yaklin joined the Constituent Services division as an Office and Correspondence Assistant. Before joining the Executive Office of Governor Whitmer, he served as an Organizer for the Michigan Democratic Party, a Junior Legislative Aide for State Senator Kevin Hertel, and as a contractor for the Michigan Vital Records Office. Andrew attended Grand Valley State University, working to receive a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government.

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