Ramsey County has officially appointed Dana DeMaster as the director of the Innovation and Strategy division in the Health and Wellness Service Team. After a year of steering the division as interim director since June 2023, DeMaster's elevation to a full-time role reflects her commitment and strategic prowess in advancing county health services. A local Ramsey County resident, DeMaster has constructed a noteworthy professional itinerary with the county since 2015, which commenced with her role as a program evaluator in Health & Wellness and progressed through various research supervisory positions.
Given the complex demands of modernizing department technology systems and streamlining business processes, DeMaster's direction has been pivotal. She initially took reigns as the interim director, where her efforts have been concentrated on integrating operational support services seamlessly with the departments they aid. As noted in an announcement by Ramsey County, “her extensive experience and knowledge of the unique needs of our operations make her the best person to continue this work.” Kathy Hedin, the Health and Wellness Deputy County Manager, also emphasized DeMaster's ability to enhance access to Health and Wellness support for both service teams and the communities at large.
DeMaster's prior experience outside of Ramsey County includes her roles as a program evaluator and data analyst, with previous tenures at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and at Hennepin. Her academic achievements plant her firmly in the landscape of public policy, holding an undergraduate degree from Saint Catherine University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota.
The division of Innovation and Strategy emerged from the reorganization of the Health and Wellness Administrative division. Tasked with the strategic components of Health and Wellness, it delves into program evaluation, research, human services technology support, electronic health record supports and the pursuit of Early Childhood Care and Coordination initiatives. Within this framework, Innovation and Strategy not only provides strategic planning but also serve as a hub for pioneering approaches across various departments within Health and Wellness service team.
