Bharti Wahi

Bharti Wahi is the assistant commissioner for the Early Childhood Administration at Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

• Responsible for policies and programs that streamline and coordinate child care and early learning services to improve outcomes for children, families and the early childhood workforce. 
• Focuses on supporting Minnesota’s youngest learners through programs such as child care resource and referral, early childhood screenings and interventions, child care assistance, early learning scholarships, child development and early childhood education.

Wahi brings over 25 years of professional experience working on issues affecting children, youth, and families, with a focus on equity and inclusive systems and institutions. 

Four years ago, she entered public service as the deputy assistant commissioner of Children and Family Services at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and, more recently, the chief transformation officer at the newly formed Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families. 

Wahi has worked in the nonprofit community in roles including direct service, philanthropy, policy and advocacy. Before working at the state, she was the executive director of the Children’s Defense Fund – Minnesota. She has worked with community members, local and national organizations, businesses, and government entities, advocating for systems that moved beyond providing a safety net to systems that allowed children, families, and communities to thrive. 

Wahi is currently enrolled in the Georgetown University School of Continuous Learning Leadership Coaching program. She completed the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellowship and its Advanced Practitioner Cohort. Wahi received her bachelor’s degree from Saint Catherine University and her master’s degree in public policy and nonprofit management from the University of Chicago. 

She is the daughter of immigrant parents, mother of two and an auntie to many children and young people – her three favorite roles!