Ramsey County Manager Ling Becker has officially appointed Maria Sarabia as the new chief of staff, a decision much anticipated by local government circles since the commencement of the hiring process in September. Per a statement from Ramsey County, Sarabia is bringing a weighty dossier of leadership credentials back to the county, where she has previously served in various capacities from 2018 to 2023.

Sarabia’s return is meant to quickly foster stronger relations across county departments and with external partners. She’ll be taking the reins in January. In her role, Sarabia will be overseeing an expansive portfolio including leading key organization-wide initiatives and supervising government relations efforts, according to the county's announcement.

Her background is notable for its breadth and depth, with more than a quarter-century's worth of experience in policy, administration, and community service. Sarabia’s resume is a map of her journey through critical positions, including most recently as the assistant commissioner of the Health Improvement Bureau for the Minnesota Department of Health. Her diverse roles have not only taken her through various Minnesota state departments but also to the federal level with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

In addition to her public service, Sarabia keeps herself entrenched in community work, serving on the board of the Minnesota Elder Justice Center and having contributed her guidance to the Fort Road Federation District Council and Girl Scouts River Valleys. As an education backbone, she holds a BA from Northeastern Illinois University and an MA from the University of Chicago. According to her own words, cited by Ramsey County's statement, she is enthusiastic to tackle direct needs in the community, stating that she is "excited and honored to serve alongside my incredible Ramsey County colleagues to dig in, innovate and identify opportunities for increased efficiencies."