Nevada Medicaid Leadership

Ann serves as Administrator at the Division of Nevada Medicaid. Prior to this role, Ann served as Innovation Officer at Nevada Medicaid, where she oversaw the implementation of value-based care strategy with managed care plans and hospitals and managed the implementation of the state’s children’s behavioral health transformation project, including the development of a new specialty managed care plan for children with behavioral health needs. Ann brings years of helpful professional experience in primary care, value-based care, and health policy from the private sector. Prior to joining Nevada Medicaid, Ann served as Chief of Staff at a national, value-based care enablement company with a focus on primary care practice physicians. Ann is an Oregon native and holds a bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. In her free time, Ann enjoys exploring Nevada by getting outside — backpacking, running, and swimming in Tahoe every month of the year.

Theresa Carsten is a native Nevadan, born and raised in the Reno/Sparks area. After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno she worked for a local non-profit organization for seven years writing grants, and operating services funded by the United States Department of Agricultures, Food and Nutrition Services agency. Theresa began her career with the State of Nevada in 2012, with the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy as a policy specialist within the Behavioral Health Unit. Since that time, she has supervised the quality and compliance of contracts held by the Division with each Managed Care Entity operating in Nevada. Later, Theresa was assigned oversight in additional areas, including dental policy, as well as managing statewide efforts related to Medicaid Access and Availability and Quality Assurance across both Fee-For-Service and Managed Care delivery programs. Theresa also worked for the Division of Public and Behavioral Health managing the Rural Health Clinics and maintained operational oversight of services provided in rural Nevada. Theresa has been appointed as the Acting Deputy Administrator of Managed Care, Access, and Quality Assurance through the 82nd Legislative Session.

Cynthia Leech began her career with the State of Nevada in 2002 with Nevada Medicaid (Division of Health Care Financing and Policy). Over the twenty plus years, Cynthia has gained experience with fiscal processes, policy development, contract oversight, and data analytics. In 2022, she was promoted to the role of Social Services Chief over Program Integrity, managing the Provider Enrollment, Audit, Surveillance and Utilization Review (SUR), and Recoveries teams. In 2023, she filled the new Agency Manager role as the Chief Compliance Officer for Nevada Medicaid. This position serves as administrative lead for program integrity and compliance efforts ensuring the proper expenditure of program funds, compliance with due process rights, and state and federal audits and regulations. Cynthia holds a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in international relations. She was born and raised in Northern California and has enjoyed living and raising her family in Northern Nevada since 2001.