About Michelle Lujan Grisham

Michelle Lujan Grisham is a 12th generation native New Mexican, residing in Albuquerque for more than 30 years. Michelle received both an undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico. She is a widow with two grown daughters.

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Michelle has dedicated her career to public service and is a leader in public policy, particularly in the areas of healthcare and safety net services, always focused on improving the quality of life for individuals and their families. Before attending law school Michelle worked with Westinghouse Advanced Energy Systems Division on the Waste Isolation Pilot Project, WIPP. After attending law school Michelle served as director of the Lawyer Referral for the Elderly Program at the New Mexico State Bar, proving to be a strong and effective advocate for elder rights, consumer protection and access to legal services.

Michelle began her work in state government in 1991 as director of the New Mexico State Agency on Aging, having been appointed by Governor Bruce King. She served in this position for a total of 14 years, spanning three administrations. There she turned the program into a groundbreaking agency known nationwide for such innovative practices as undercover evaluations of nursing homes. In 2002 Michelle was appointed to serve as Secretary of the newly created Aging & Long Term Services Department and oversaw the reorganization of programs for seniors and persons with disabilities improving New Mexico’s home and community based care system.

In 2004, Michelle was appointed secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health, the largest department in state government, with more than 3,800 employees and a $440 million budget. As secretary, she pushed to improve access to medical care and minimize poor health outcomes related to environmental conditions through the promotion of a proactive “precautionary principles” environmental model for public bodies and institutions.

Today, Michelle continues her work and advocacy in the area of health, long-term care and public policy, serving on the City of Albuquerque Senior Programs Policy Advisory Committee, the Board of Directors of Total Community Care in Albuquerque, the national Board of Directors of the Eden Alternative. Michelle was also recently elected to serve as a Commissioner with the New Mexico State Bar.

Michelle is currently a small business owner, having co-founded Delta Consulting Group (Agents of Change), a firm of 5, specializing in management and consulting services for non-profit organizations in the areas of governmental affairs, administration, operational management, strategic planning and program development, primarily in the areas of healthcare, aging, long-term care, disability programs and health reform, including the provision of health insurance for high-risk individuals.

Michelle's strong commitment to constituent services is evidenced through her extensive provision of pro bono services, assisting individuals to access and navigate the health and long-term care systems. In addition, she was instrumental during the 2010 legislative session in assisting a constituent to successfully obtain legislation that requires the state to conduct additional newborn screening tests designed to identify potentially devastating diseases.