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Erin Bailey

Assistant Commissioner of Children's Cabinet

Erin Bailey has been a lifelong advocate for children and an operational strategist in nonprofit and government organizations. She began her career in Washington, D.C., working in federal policy including advising the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and working on the Affordable Care Act. Erin also launched a program at the Aspen Institute called the Center for Native American Youth, dedicated to raising national attention to the issues facing Native American young people, and served as the inaugural Executive Director. In Minnesota, Erin served as the Director of Executive Initiatives at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. As a member of the senior team, Erin worked on a variety of strategic initiatives, including advocating for children who have disabilities and complex medical conditions.

In her role as the Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet, she advises the Minnesota Governor, First Lady, Lt. Governor, and entire Administration on its agenda of children and families including developing, enacting, and helping to implement historic investments in children and families, like the state’s nation-leading child tax credit. She has also led and overseen a significant governance change in the creation of a new state agency – building from vision and opportunity to overseeing a significant governance change across six state agencies. The new Department of Children, Youth, and Families successfully launched in 2024, and Erin continues to oversee implementation efforts.

Erin has a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University and a Master in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. She is a recipient of the Daniel K. Inouye Indigenous Spirit Award and has been awarded the Outstanding Congressional Staff Award from the American Diabetes Association, the National Impact Award from the National Council of Urban Indian Health, and the Heroes for Children Award. She currently serves on the boards for the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute and chairs the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library.

Erin Bailey
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