Wendy Saunders is a member of the Firm’s Government Relations department – specializing in health care. Prior to joining Hinman Straub, Ms. Saunders worked for the City of New York’s public health care system, New York City Health + Hospitals (HHC), where she was responsible for the agency’s activities in Albany. Ms. Saunders also served as Acting Director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs. She joined the Firm with more than twenty years of experience working with State government, serving in both legislative and executive and branches.
She previously served as the Governor’s Deputy Secretary for Health, Medicaid and Oversight. In that role, Ms. Saunders was the Governor’s chief advisor on health care policy issues and oversaw the operations of five State agencies, including the Department of Health, the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General and the State Office for the Aging. She also served as the Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. At the Department, Ms. Saunders managed the day-to-day operations and strategic planning for the agency, including budget and policy priorities.
Ms. Saunders’ experience outside of government includes serving as the Director of Government Relations for LeadingAge New York – a statewide association representing not-for-profit and public continuing care providers. Ms. Saunders began her career working in the New York State Assembly, first for the Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Richard N. Gottfried, and later on the Program and Counsel staff.