The Director’s Office (DO) provides leadership to, and management and oversight of, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), to ensure an integrated, strategic, and transformative approach to serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence.
Compared to many other state health and human services (HHS) structures, Montana is unique. At DPHHS, essential HHS functions rest within one state agency. This allows for greater cross-collaboration, innovation, and outcomes for those DPHHS serves. The DPHHS Executive Leadership Team is comprised of leaders who oversee the major organizational sections of the Department. The Department director provides leadership, guidance, and direction to this team.
Leadership Team
Leadership Staff Biographies
Director Douglas S. Harrington, MD, leads the state’s comprehensive health and human services agency to ensure an integrated, strategic, and transformative approach to serving Montanans in their communities, improving health, safety, and well-being, and empowering independence. Identifying ways to meet the needs of public assistance clients better and equip them with the right tools to reach their full potential is a key priority for Dir. Harrington and his team.
Dir. Harrington, who previously served as DPHHS State Medical Officer, brings over 40 years of distinguished medical experience to his native Montana. A pioneer in clinical research, he was a member of one of the first heart transplant teams and founded one of the earliest clinical molecular biology laboratories.
Dir. Harrington’s career includes serving as President of the Nichols Institute and as founder and CEO of Chromavision/Clarient. He is the inventor of the Smart Vascular Dx™ (PULS) test and holds patents in cancer cell analysis and cardiac diagnostics.
He is board-certified in hematology and pathology and a Fellow of the American Society of Preventive Cardiology. Dir. Harrington focuses on using lifestyle and education to prevent adverse health outcomes. Outside of medicine, he is an avid outdoorsman, photographer, and maker of electric guitars. He holds his medical degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Natalie Smitham serves as the agency’s Principal Deputy Director. She brings more than 18 years of experience in state government to her role. She oversees the Chief Financial Officer and related teams, the Office of Human Resources and Technology Services Division as they transition to a centralized structure, the Office of Inspector General, and the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Natalie most recently served as DPHHS chief financial officer (CFO) and previously held that role at the Department of Corrections and the Department of Labor & Industry. She also worked with the Legislative Audit Division and Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Her expertise spans financial management, federal grants administration, and legislative strategy. She holds an accounting degree from Western Washington University.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys camping, weekend road trips, and spending time with family.
Rebecca de Camara is the State Medicaid Director; Deputy Director of Medicaid and Health Services. In these roles, she oversees the agency divisions that provide physical health coverage, behavioral health and developmental disability services, and senior and long-term care services. Rebecca began her career in human services 30 years ago as a behavioral health direct care worker, advancing to provide case management, supported employment, and intensive community-based treatment services for those with serious behavioral health disorders who would otherwise be institutionalized. Through this work, she experienced firsthand the limitations and challenges within the existing public health system.
In her previous role as a DPHHS administrator, Rebecca gained extensive experience working on high-profile initiatives such as the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission and managing complex projects within Montana Medicaid, such as Governor Gianforte’s Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment Initiative, both historic investments into behavioral health services, all while maintaining the daily operations of a Medicaid division.
Jessie Counts is the agency’s Deputy Director for Human Services, after previously serving as the agency’s Human and Community Services Division administrator. Her previous roles include Senior Manager for Student Support Services at the Office of Public Instruction and human services leadership positions in both Boulder and Denver. With 20 years in public service, Jessie has experience overseeing public assistance benefits delivery, as well as quality improvement and accountability initiatives for Child and Adult Protective Services, childcare, child support services, and various state and local programs. She has dedicated her career to public service and has a deep, personal commitment to serving vulnerable populations in Montana – including by helping our clients reach higher and achieve healthy independence. Outside of work, Jessie enjoys traveling, indulging in new experiences, and spending time outdoors with family, friends and her pets.
Stacy Campbell serves as the agency’s Deputy Director for Public Health and Safety. She brings extensive public health experience and a strong record of leadership to her role as Deputy Director for Public Health and Safety. Since joining DPHHS in 2006, she has advanced through several leadership positions, most recently serving as administrator of the Public Health and Safety Division.
Stacy began her DPHHS career in tobacco prevention and cessation, leading statewide education efforts for health care providers and supporting implementation of Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act and Tobacco Free Schools Law. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to collaboration, strong public health programs, and service to Montanans.
A Great Falls native, she holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Montana State University. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, boating, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Carrie Albro serves as the Chief Information Officer. In this role, Carrie is responsible for modernizing the agency’s IT systems and data asset portfolios. She oversees the operation of more than 180 systems and leads a project portfolio of over 100 initiatives. She provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction for enterprise systems, IT and data governance, architecture, and planning. With more than three decades of experience in information technology, Carrie holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Duke University and has led large-scale program management and technology initiatives at FICO, RightNow Technologies, AOL, IBM Global Services, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Her career reflects a passion for customer service and fostering a culture of workplace collaboration. Outside of work, Carrie enjoys cooking, exploring the outdoors with her family, and cheering on her favorite college basketball team.
Mike Hughes is the agency’s Chief Human Resource (HR) Officer. In his current role, Mike develops the overall direction and administration of HR and related areas across DPHHS. Mike previously served as the HR Bureau Chief for the Department of Corrections. He holds a master’s degree with an emphasis on HR and collectively brings 14 years of experience to our agency. While at DOC, Mike helped drive transformations in HR management and led reform initiatives centered on HR policy, labor relations, and recruitment and retention. Before joining DOC, Mike spent seven years in private sector health care human resources management, most recently serving as the Regional Director of Human Resources for Welcov Healthcare’s west region. Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, snowboarding, and being outdoors.
Gene Hermanson serves as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer. Gene has been with DPHHS since 2008 and most recently served as Deputy Medicaid Director. He brings extensive experience in public-sector financial management, program administration, procurement, and operational oversight. His previous roles include Medicaid Chief Financial Manager, Human and Community Services Division Administrator, and Medicaid Systems Operations Manager. Earlier in his DPHHS career, he led projects supporting Medicaid expansion and modernization of the state’s Medicaid technology systems.
Gene holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from the University of Montana.
Outside of work, Gene enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and running half marathons.
Heidi DeRoche is the agency’s Tribal Relations Manager. In this role, Heidi serves as the agency’s expert on tribal relations, advising executive leadership on tribal sovereignty, federal Indian law, and the policy implications of state actions. She oversees the Office of American Indian Health (OAIH) and leads formal consultations with Montana’s eight federally recognized tribal governments, Urban Indian Organizations, and the Indian Health Service.
With over 10 years of experience in Montana’s education and public health systems, Heidi has held key roles at the Montana Public Health Institute, the Office of Public Instruction, and the Heart Butte School District. Her career is dedicated to addressing health disparities through culturally grounded, partnership-driven approaches.
Heidi holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana–Western and a Master of Health Administration from Montana State University–Billings. An Army Reserve veteran and enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, she resides in Browning with her husband and two sons.
Phoebe Williams serves as the Executive Assistant in the Director’s Office. Phoebe has lived in Montana most of her life and graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration. Her experience with state government includes working 16 legislative sessions as an employee in both the House and the Senate, as well as serving as the Office of Public Instruction’s Executive Office Administrator. Phoebe is the mother of five children, including three boys and two girls. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, fishing, boating, snow sports, and playing basketball.
