Leah Montgomery

Leah Montgomery serves as Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. In this role, she supports the development and execution of DCYF’s strategic vision, advances agency-wide objectives, and helps ensure alignment across programs and systems to better serve Minnesota children and families.  She leads the agency’s central operating functions, including finance, communications, government relations, strategy and technology, systems change and public engagement.  

Montgomery brings more than 14 years of experience in public policy and Minnesota state government, with a career dedicated to advancing policies that improve families’ health, safety and well-being. 

Prior to joining DCYF, she served for four years in the Office of Gov. Tim Walz as deputy chief of staff for policy and legislative affairs. Her previous roles include leading government relations for Planned Parenthood North Central States, serving as the inaugural government relations director at MNIT @ DHS and working at the Minnesota House of Representatives. 

Montgomery holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamline University. She is committed to strengthening public systems and partnerships to help make Minnesota the best state in the nation to raise a family.