Leadership with Results
Originally from Detroit, Kathy started her service career as a VISTA volunteer working with at-risk youth. She later directed substance abuse programs in Delaware and at Yale University. She moved to Laconia in 1977 when she began employment at the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
During her 26 years at DHHS she held various positions, working directly for six Commissioners and with five Governors. Under Governor Sununu, she developed NH’s welfare reform plan, changing the programs focus to achieving independence and employment. During Governor Gregg’s tenure she developed a program for children with chronic illness and worked to increase federal revenues to the state, a practice that would result in over a billion dollars of revenue to NH over the coming decade.
She was appointed Deputy Commissioner by Governor Merrill and during her first term was responsible for major health care reforms, including improved coverage for pregnant women and the establishment of the Health Care Fund to support local initiatives. Five years later, she was reappointed to the position by Governor Shaheen. During her tenure, she designed the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Kid’s Cabinet and family support programs.
Appointed twice as acting commissioner, she oversaw the development of the DHHS budget of more than a billion dollars and was responsible for the operation of the 3,000 person organization. She worked to balance the budget with no supplemental funding. Governor Lynch asked her to serve on his transition team because of her extensive state budget knowledge. She has worked extensively with federal and state government and earned the respect of both for her candor, knowledge and ability to work on a bipartisan basis.
In 1997, Kathy received the Caroline Gross Fellowship to study at Harvard with other senior executives in public service. Other acknowledgements include the Pediatrics Society’s Citizens of the Year Award and numerous awards for her work in public health and children’s services from both state and national organizations. She is currently serves on the boards of the Children’s Alliance and the Jordan Institute a Lakes Region Transportation Planning group.
For over a quarter-of-a-century Kathy Sgambati served the people of the Granite State in the Department of Health and Human Services. Her penchant for developing innovative solutions to complex challenges, along with her commitment to fiscal restraint earned her a solid reputation among the six commissioners and five governors she served before. Sgambati proved adept at meeting the needs of New Hampshire's residents in part by securing over a billion dollars in new federal aid.
Kathy left the Department in 2004 and began Sgambati & Associates, a consulting practice focused on children and youth services, developmental services and health care reform. She also managed the Citizen’s Health Initiative, which Governor John Lynch began. She has put her practice on hold to seek the District 4 Senate seat in 2006. Kathy was the first Democrat to win this seat in more than 70 years. She currently serves as vice chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and is a member of the Finance, Public and Municipal Affairs and the Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committees. During her first term she received nation al state recognition for her work in health care and financial management. She was the first New Hampshire person to ever receive the American Medical Association’s Nathan Davis award as the nation’s outstanding senator.
Kathy has lived in Tilton since 1978 where she and her husband of 32 years have raised two sons. Her husband works at the UNH Institute on Disability and specializes in inclusive education. As parents they were active in supporting school sports programs and helped develop district after school programs for middle school youth. Her oldest son Eric, 28, lives in Colorado, is an avid hiker and a student of environmental science and currently works for the Whole Foods Corporation. Michael, 24, completed an Americorps program and earned a certificate in Early Care and Education from Laconia Community College and volunteers at the Veteran’s Home. Kathy’s outside interests include the arts and outdoors. She is a craftsperson and painter, enjoys kayaking, theater and travel.
Kathy's proven record of achieving bipartisan consensus on complicated issues has gained her endorsements on both sides of the political aisle. "I know from experience that we must work together if we're to achieve our shared objective of maintaining and enhancing New Hampshire's quality of life," Sgambati said. "It's important that we listen to all voices, and the concerns of all New Hampshire residents."