Leadership

Director's Office

Stacie Weeks, JD, MPH

Director

On July 1, 2025, Governor Joe Lombardo appointed Stacie as Director of the Nevada Health Authority. She brings over a decade of experience in health care policy and innovation. Prior to her appointment, Stacie served as Nevada’s Medicaid Director, where she led the agency through several major reforms - most notably the statewide expansion of managed care, a billion-dollar hospital fee program, a redesign of children’s behavioral health care in response to a U.S. Department of Justice Settlement Agreement, and the state’s first federal 1332 waiver reform, which captures hundreds of millions in new federal funds to support a reinsurance program, among other initiatives, designed to improve the affordability of health insurance. Before Nevada, Stacie worked for the Minnesota Senate and Minnesota’s Medicaid agency, where she played a key role in developing the nation’s first-ever Basic Health Program under the Affordable Care Act. Stacie holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock and a master’s in public health from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In her free time, Stacie enjoys spending time in the sun, hiking with her family, and exploring Tahoe.

Dr. Malinda Southard, DC

Deputy Director of Community Engagement

Malinda serves as a Deputy Director at the Nevada Health Authority, where she leads the agency’s community engagement activities, advisory committees, and workforce development. Prior to this role, Malinda held the role of Deputy Administrator at Nevada Medicaid, where she successfully led the agency’s redesign of school health services and development of new coverage for the justice-involved population. Malinda brings years of experience in fostering meaningful partnerships with communities and stakeholders. Before her time at Medicaid, Malinda served as the Executive Director of the Nevada Patient Protection Commission and the manager for the state’s Public Health Preparedness program. Malinda holds a Doctor of Chiropractic from University of Western States. In her free time, Malinda enjoys baking with her daughter and paddle boarding around Lake Tahoe with her family.

Lynnette Aaron, MBA, CPA

Deputy Director of Health Care Financing and Budgets

Lynnette serves as a Deputy Director at the Nevada Health Authority, where she oversees the agency’s fiscal, budget, and accounting teams, including Medicaid supplemental payment programs. Prior to this role, Lynnette held the role of Chief Financial Officer for Nevada Medicaid, where she played a critical role in standing up the hospital fee program and increasing the efficiency of the state’s supplemental payment programs for providers. Lynnette brings years of experience and expertise in managing budgets, fiscal analysis, and audits at the state of Nevada. Before her time at Medicaid, Lynnette worked for the Governor’s Finance Office as a lead budget officer and the state’s audit agency as a state auditor. Lynnette holds a master’s in business administration and bachelor's in accounting from University of Nevada, Reno. Lynnette is also a Certified Public Accountant. In her free time, Lynnette enjoys running and spending time with her family, going on hikes and going on outdoor adventures.

Sandie Ruybalid, CPM

Chief Enterprise IT & Innovation Officer

Sandie serves as the Chief Enterprise IT & Innovation Officer at the Nevada Health Authority, where she leads the agency’s information technology team, office of analytics, process improvement and project management teams, security unit, and more. Prior to this role, Sandie held the role of Deputy Administrator at Nevada Medicaid, where she successfully led numerous large-scale complex projects, including the IT modernization project for the state’s Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS) and more recently the state’s “unwind” process after the public health emergency, where hundreds and thousands of Nevadans enrolled in Medicaid had their eligibility renewed and updated in the system. Sandie brings decades of expertise from her time in Nevada state government—leading state IT projects and teams. Sandie holds a Certificate of Public Management. In her free time, Sandie enjoys biking, hiking with her dogs, spending time with her grandkids, and soaking up some sun on the beach at Lake Tahoe.

Dr. Keiko Duncan, PharmD, CPH, CSP

Senior Clinical & Pharmacy Officer

Keiko serves as Senior Pharmacy & Clinical Officer at the Nevada Health Authority, where she provides clinical expertise and oversight of pharmaceutical benefits and purchasing across coverage programs. Prior to this role, Keiko served as Pharmacy Director for Nevada Medicaid, where she successfully implemented changes to help control the cost of pharmaceuticals to the state budget. Keiko brings a rich background in clinical programs, health systems, and public health in addition to her expertise as a specialty pharmacist. Before Medicaid, Keiko spent many years working in direct service as a pharmacist. She also led a statewide vaccine distribution and education effort in California during COVID and expanded access to pharmacy services for rural hospitals, including medication management programs. Keiko holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Doctor of Pharmacy from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Keiko is board certified in medication therapy management, credentialed as an HIV Pharmacist, and certified in public health (CPH) and specialty pharmacy (CSP). In her free time, Keiko enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, Harvey, and hiking and camping in the Sierras with friends.

Dr. Keith Benson

Senior Dental Officer

Keith serves as the Senior Dental Officer at the Nevada Health Authority, where he oversees dental benefits in Medicaid, leads efforts to expand dental care in rural areas of the state, and provides clinical expertise to other coverage programs on dental products and care. Thanks to Keith’s previous leadership at Medicaid for oral health, Nevada has been able to expand access to various oral health programs and grants. Keith has many years of experience in Nevada state government working on programs to improve access to quality dental care, including providing direct dental care at Nevada’s Corrections agency. Keith also spent twelve years as a frontline public health dentist. Keith holds a bachelor’s degree in education from University of Nevada, Reno and Doctorate in Dental Medicine degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  Keith also completed a year long residency program at the University of New Mexico Hospital receiving advanced training in anesthesia, pediatric and special need full mouth rehabilitation, oral facial pain treatment among many others.  In his free time, Keith enjoys camping and riding mountain bikes in Northern Nevada with his family.  

Division Administrators

Ann Jensen

Administrator, Nevada Medicaid Division

Ann serves as Administrator at the Division of Nevada Medicaid. Prior to this role, Ann served as Innovation Officer at Nevada Medicaid, where she oversaw the implementation of value-based care strategy with managed care plans and hospitals and managed the implementation of the state’s children’s behavioral health transformation project, including the development of a new specialty managed care plan for children with behavioral health needs. Ann brings years of helpful professional experience in primary care, value-based care, and health policy from the private sector. Prior to joining Nevada Medicaid, Ann served as Chief of Staff at a national, value-based care enablement company with a focus on primary care practice physicians. Ann is an Oregon native and holds a bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. In her free time, Ann enjoys exploring Nevada by getting outside — backpacking, running, and swimming in Tahoe every month of the year.

Jennifer Krupp, MPH

Administrator, Consumer Health Services Division

Jennifer serves as Administrator at the Division of Consumer Health Services. Prior to this role, Jennifer held the role of Deputy Administrator of fiscal and budgets at Nevada Medicaid, leading teams creating efficiencies across budget development and operations. Jennifer brings years of experience, leading initiatives to improve access to health care. This includes serving in leadership roles in Nevada, and later Virginia, Health Insurance Exchanges, transitioning to state-based exchanges from the federal platform. Jennifer also has expertise in program management and population health from her work at the Division of Public and Behavioral Health and in the health care sector. Before her work in public health, Jennifer spent time working in hospital administration and providing direct care to patients. Jennifer holds a Master of Public Health, and a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine University, and a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Nevada, Reno. Jennifer is also a certified Project Management Professional and a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. In her free time, Jennifer does CrossFit, enjoys yoga, hiking and spending time with her family and two Boston Terriers.

Todd Rich

Administrator, Health Care Purchasing & Compliance Division

Todd serves as the Administrator at the Division of Health Care Purchasing & Compliance. Prior to this role, he held the role of Chief of Staff at Nevada Medicaid, where he provided oversight of Human Resources and led special projects including the implementation of the Battle Born State Plan and reinsurance program. Todd brings years of experience in management in the health care space, both in the private and public sector and has held key leadership roles with the State of Nevada, including Deputy Director of the Department of Business and Industry, Chief Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Insurance, and Deputy Executive Director for the Board of Medical Examiners. He also spent many years in management at a local regional hospital system. Todd holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nevada and a professional certificate in administrative law from the National Judicial College. In his free time, Todd enjoys hiking, skiing and golf. 

OPEN POSITION

Executive Officer, Public Employee Benefit Plan