Photo Credit @MPRNews / Featured: Commisioner Jodi Harpstead
In a significant leadership change at the Department of Human Services (DHS), Commissioner Jodi Harpstead announced her resignation, effective February 3, 2025, after more than five years at the helm of one of Minnesota’s largest and most complex state agencies. Gov. Tim Walz praised her tenure, noting her pivotal role in steering DHS through tumultuous times and initiating structural reforms aimed at improving accountability and service delivery
Harpstead took over the department in 2019 amid leadership turmoil—marked by resignations and lingering fallout from audits and operational inefficiencies. Under her direction, DHS implemented “Operation Swiss Watch,” a revamp of internal controls to boost oversight, streamline grant management, and modernize operations. Her departure comes as the agency is still undergoing a historic breakup into three distinct entities: the Department of Direct Care and Treatment, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and a sleeker DHS with a focus on Medicaid and long-term care programs.
Despite improvements, the agency continued to face criticism. Recent controversies included fraud and abuse within state-administered programs—culminating in FBI raids on autism treatment centers suspected of defrauding Medicaid—and audits exposing systemic deficiencies in grant oversight and billing practices.
Governor Walz emphasized that Harpstead was instrumental in advancing the restructuring: “I am especially proud of how Commissioner Harpstead supported the enterprise-wide work to separate DHS into three separate agencies, which will make each of them more effective, more accountable, and easier to manage” Reflecting on her leadership, Harpstead remarked she was “proud to be the Commissioner of the caring, competent, and high‑capacity Department of Human Services,” citing successes in strengthening process controls, redesigning grant frameworks, and building a talented leadership team.
Meanwhile, lawmakers—particularly Republicans—called for new leadership committed to injecting even more accountability. State Senate Leader Mark Johnson said the transition represents “a prime opportunity… to support investigatory activity, and make proper use of taxpayer dollars". Similarly, state representatives highlighted the need for bipartisan reform to restore public confidence in state agencies and ensure effective governance.
To maintain continuity and momentum, Gov. Walz appointed Shireen Gandhi, a seasoned agency leader with deep experience in operations and compliance, as interim commissioner. Gandhi previously served as DHS deputy commissioner and has led efforts to strengthen compliance infrastructure and operational effectiveness across the agency.
References
Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead leaving post. (2025, January 13). Star Tribune. https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-department-of-human-services-commissioner-jodi-harpstead-leaving-post/601205030
Minnesota’s Department of Human Services commissioner resigns. (2025, January 13). Minnesota Reformer. https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/minnesotas-department-of-human-services-commissioner-resigns/
Temporary Minnesota DHS Commissioner Appointed. (2025, February 6). Minnesota Medical Association. https://www.mnmed.org/news-and-publications/news/temporary-minnesota-dhs-commissioner-appointed
Senate GOP: DHS Commissioner’s departure highlights need for more accountability and integrity to prevent fraud. (2025). Minnesota Senate Republicans. https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/senate-gop-dhs-commissioners-departure-highlights-need-for-more-accountability-and-integrity-to-prevent-fraud/
Minnesota House members speak out after Human Services Commissioner resigns. (2025, January 15). WDAY Radio. https://www.wdayradionow.com/news/regional-news/minnesota-house-members-speak-out-after-human-services-commissioner-resigns/
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