Kristie Brooks named director of behavioral health transformation and innovation at New Mexico HHS.

The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) announced today that Kristie Brooks will join the agency as director of behavioral health transformation and innovation, effective May 5, 2025.

Brooks is a seasoned health care executive with more than two decades of experience in behavioral health, addiction treatment, public health policy, and strategic program development. She most recently served as the regional director for the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Region 6, which includes New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and 68 federally recognized tribes.

“Kristie Brooks is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of how to integrate behavioral health services in a way that centers communities,” said Kari Armijo, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “Her experience at the tribal, state, and federal levels will be invaluable as we continue to rebuild a community-based behavioral health system across the state.”

In her new role, Brooks will lead the implementation of Senate Bill 3, a landmark behavioral health reform law that strengthens New Mexico’s commitment to building a comprehensive, community-based system of care. SB3 passed the 2025 legislative session and was signed into law by Gov. Lujan Grisham. Brooks will work closely with the director of the HCA’s Behavioral Health Services Division, Nick Boukas, to ensure coordination and alignment across the state’s behavioral health initiatives.

“I’m honored to join the New Mexico Health Care Authority at such a pivotal time,” Brooks said. “New Mexico is leading the way in rebuilding behavioral health services, and I’m excited to partner with communities across the state to strengthen systems of care, elevate culturally responsive treatment models, and improve health outcomes.”

Prior to her role at SAMHSA, Brooks served as director of strategic development and director of behavioral health for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. There, she led hospital and clinic expansion initiatives and worked to align services with the health needs of American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Throughout her career, Brooks has managed high-impact initiatives, advocated for federal funding, and secured millions in grants to expand access to mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and crisis care. Her work has focused on building partnerships across health systems and governments to improve outcomes for underserved communities.

Brooks is a licensed professional counselor and a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She holds a Master of Science in human resources counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in human services counseling from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

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