Maria Sarabia named Ramsey County chief of staff
Ramsey County Manager Ling Becker named Maria Sarabia chief of staff. Sarabia was selected through a competitive hiring process that began in September.
Located in the heart of the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, Ramsey County is the second-most populous county in Minnesota with about 10% of the state’s residents. It is also considered the most diverse county in Minnesota. As the chief advisor to the county manager, this position works closely with the deputy county managers, board of commissioners, other senior leaders, partners and community members to effectively prioritize and implement the work of the county.
“I am thrilled to welcome Maria Sarabia back to the county,” said County Manager Ling Becker. “Maria brings extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of fostering collaboration, which will be instrumental in advancing our organization's strategic priorities. As a member of the county manager's executive team, Maria will lead key initiatives with organization-wide impact, working across all areas. Additionally, she will oversee the government relations team, advocating for policies and resources that strengthen our ability to serve our community.”
Sarabia, who currently serves as the assistant commissioner of the Health Improvement Bureau for the Minnesota Department of Health, returns to Ramsey County where she previously worked from 2018-2023 in a variety of roles. She brings more than 25 years of invaluable experience and leadership in policy, administration and community service. In addition to the state department of health and Ramsey County, she has held leadership roles with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Human Services, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Sarabia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago.
Active in the community, Maria serves on the board of the Minnesota Elder Justice Center and previously served on the board of directors for Girl Scouts River Valleys, as well as the Fort Road Federation District Council. She is an alum of Human Impact Partners. She and her family reside in St. Paul, and she is looking forward to returning to Ramsey County in this new executive leadership role.
“The impact of the pandemic and other harsh social conditions continues to impact families and communities due to the longstanding inequities over time,” said Maria Sarabia. “I am excited and honored to serve alongside my incredible Ramsey County colleagues to dig in, innovate and identify opportunities for increased efficiencies so that we can better support our employees, collaborate with partners and meet the community's needs to thrive.”
Sarabia will return to the county the first week of January.