Department of Children and Families Leadership
Governor Scott Walker appointed Eloise Anderson as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families effective January 3, 2011. Secretary Anderson is nationally and internationally known as a leader in public policy creation and implementation. She has extensive experience in child welfare and work support issues. Secretary Anderson began her career in Milwaukee as a social worker before joining state government. She has over 20 years in state service in a variety of roles, including serving as the Administrator of the Division of Community Services at the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services.
Secretary Anderson returns to Wisconsin from California where she served as director of the California Department of Social Services, the largest welfare system in the country, where she oversaw diverse programs such as child support enforcement, foster care, adoptions, child abuse prevention, child care, refugee support, and emergency assistance. Her other experience includes President of Job Wave America, Director of the Project for the American Family at the Claremont Institute, and most recently as President of Anderson Resource Management Services assisting families in obtaining wellness and becoming contributing members of the community. In these positions, Eloise honed her policy leadership and organizational management skills which led to transformation of human service policy and delivery.
Secretary Anderson has two adult children and lives in Marshall, Wisconsin with her husband, Patrick.
A lifelong resident of Wisconsin, DCF Deputy Secretary Joan Hansen brings over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. She is seasoned in building coalition; and engaging the public and community leaders.
Immediately prior to joining DCF, Joan assisted in managing public service delivery for Milwaukee County where she helped lead the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. Other professional experience includes leadership positions with Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services and the Wisconsin Department of Labor and Human Relations.
In these positions, Joan honed her leadership and management skills preparing her for her role at DCF to help strengthen Wisconsin's families.
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/press/2011/010711_leadership_team.htm
MaryAnn Lippert, Executive Assistant
As DCF's Executive Assistant, MaryAnn Lippert strengthens Wisconsin families by guiding policies, overseeing legislative activities and directing communications. In her 30 years as a health educator in schools, health care and non-profits, MaryAnn honed her management and policy skills. From 2004 until her appointment, MaryAnn worked at Marshfield Clinic where she built and strengthened community relationships. MaryAnn was also a member of the State Assembly from 2001 until 2003 where she served as Vice Chair of the Assembly Committee on Children and Families.
MaryAnn and her husband, Jerry live in rural Pittsville, where MaryAnn serves on the Board of Education. They have three adult children.
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/press/2011/010711_leadership_team.htm
James Martin, Administrator, Division of Enterprise Solutions
Since March 2005, James has worked for Milwaukee County serving as a Fiscal and Management Analyst as well as a Fiscal and Budget Manager. Most recently he served as the Interim Information Technology (IT) Director for Governance of the County's Information Management Services Division. In this role, he was an integral member of the Division's executive administration team that provided a comprehensive IT framework and services to more than 5,000 users countywide.
James earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. His commitment to children is clear, as he served four terms in AmeriCorps teaching children and working to improve educational outcomes.
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/press/2011/042911_des_administrator.htm
Elaine Richmond, Administrator, Division of Early Care and Education
Elaine was the Hearing Examiner for the certification appeals hearings in Milwaukee County from April 2010 until her current position at DCF. Immediately prior, she was the attorney/transition manager for the Milwaukee Early Care Administrator (MECA). In that capacity, Elaine was instrumental in transferring the child care administration functions from the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services to DCF. Elaine also served as the Director of the Jefferson County Child Support Agency for 21 years and was elected to the Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement Association Hall of Fame in 2010.
Elaine's dedication to children reaches beyond her office. She served as a foster parent for 6 years and presented drug prevention programs to thousands of students in Southern Wisconsin.
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/press/2011/030911_dece_administrator.htm
Kristiane Randal, Administrator, Division of Family and Economic Security
Kris has served in many state agencies, including the Department of Health and Social Services, where she worked directly with a number of DCF programs. In her most recent position at the Department of Commerce, Kris was Assistant General Counsel and oversaw the Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Act program as well as a variety of economic development programs.
Her dedication to families extends beyond the workplace. Kris served for 10 years on the Board of Directors, including as President of Lad Lake, a youth treatment agency in the Milwaukee area.
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/press/2011/020411_dfes_administrator.htm
Fredi-Ellen Bove, Administrator, Division of Safety and Permanence
Fredi worked at the Department of Health Services for 17 years in a variety of positions, including Director of Strategic Finance, and Budget Director. She also worked in Washington D.C. in various government positions. For the past four years, she served as the Deputy Administrator of the Division of Long Term Care working to support the expansion of the Family Care long term care program designed to increase the quality of life and independence for elders and people with disabilities. She began her state service as the Executive Assistant to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.
Fredi currently serves as Board Vice President for the Rainbow Project where she has volunteered for more than 20 years and is a volunteer at Porchlight.
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/press/2011/021411_dsp_administrator.htm