Governor Walz Appoints Shireen Gandhi Human Services Commissioner 

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Shireen Gandhi to serve as commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. 

Gandhi has served as the temporary human services commissioner since February 2025. During that time, she led work to root out Medicaid fraud and strengthen program integrity.  

“Commissioner Gandhi understands that protecting public programs and delivering high-quality care go hand in hand,” said Governor Walz. “Over the past year, she has demonstrated steady, decisive leadership at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, strengthening program integrity, rooting out fraud, and ensuring taxpayer dollars reach the Minnesotans who rely on these services. Shireen brings the experience and accountability needed to safeguard vital services while building a system Minnesotans can trust.” 

Under Gandhi’s leadership, the department set an aggressive course on program integrity, including bringing in a new inspector general. The department expanded the use of data analytics to identify program vulnerabilities, evidence of fraudulent activities and potentially suspicious patterns of billing. Based on the data, Minnesota tightened oversight of high-risk Medicaid businesses – adding fingerprint background studies for owners, requiring an external review of claims before payments are made, instituting a pause on enrolling new businesses for some services and disenrolling inactive providers. By the end of May, state employees will have conducted on-site visits to revalidate more than 5,800 providers across the state. 

“We must protect the human services programs we provide to improve the lives of Minnesotans that have helped our state to be ranked among the best in the country for children and families, older adults, and people with disabilities.” Gandhi said. “As commissioner, I look forward to working with all partners across the human services system to make our state a national model for program integrity.” 

Gandhi’s appointment is effective February 23, 2026. 

About Shireen Gandhi
Gandhi joined the Minnesota Department of Human Services in 2017, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in health care to the agency. Prior to her temporary commissioner appointment, Gandhi served as a deputy commissioner overseeing budgeting and financial operations, agency operations strategy, and other agency operations. Since 2022, Gandhi has served on the Technology Advisory Council, which advises the commissioner of Minnesota IT Services.

Gandhi earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from Hamline University School of Law. She is active in the Minnesota State Bar Association and a past chair of its Health Law Section. She is also a member of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association. 

About the Minnesota Department of Human Services
Minnesota Department of Human Services’ mission is driven by collaboration with community and partners – counties, Tribes, and nonprofits – supporting people to thrive in community and live their healthiest and fullest lives. The department’s vision is that all people in Minnesota have what they need to thrive in community with no disparities. The agency is responsible for providing health care coverage for approximately 1.2 million Minnesotans on Medicaid (also known as Medical Assistance), including services for elders, people with disabilities and behavioral health needs, and those experiencing homelessness. 

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