Zoe Barnard has 20 years of experience working on behavioral health initiatives, with a focus on enhancing access to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, particularly in rural areas. Her focus has been on implementation of mental health and SUD services within Medicaid and braiding with other funding sources. This includes specialty services such as mobile crisis response, contingency management, peer support services, and assertive community treatment. 

Zoe’s portfolio includes deep experience collaborating with state Medicaid agencies and state behavioral health agencies, as well as foundations. She regularly serves as a thought leader on mental health–related issues.

As Montana’s Mental Health Commissioner, Zoe was responsible for the development and implementation of statewide Medicaid programs as well as other publicly funded mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. She also led the development of policy and administrative rules. Zoe has experience addressing the behavioral health needs of people throughout their lifespan and has a special interest in improving children’s mental health services, especially for children who are multi-system involved.