Eric Friedlander

Eric Friedlander is an accomplished mission driven executive with 40 years of experience leading and managing complex organizations in challenging and politically charged environments at the state, local and federal level. Appointed by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to serve as Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) in December of 2019, Friedlander is responsible for over 8,000 employees in more than 150 locations including all 120 Kentucky counties and manages a budget exceeding $24 billion in FY 2024-2025. Key areas housed within CHFS include Medicaid, Public Health, Aging and Independent Living, Health Policy, Community Based Services (social services/low-income benefit programs), and Behavioral Health, Substance Use and Intellectual Disabilities. During his tenure as Cabinet Secretary, he also led through the COVID -19 Pandemic and subsequent economic, cultural and natural disaster recovery efforts. With a mission to be a diverse and inclusive cabinet providing programs, services and supports that protect and promote the health and well-being of all Kentuckians and their communities, Friedlander has built a strong leadership team with a relentless focus on caring for Kentuckians which has moved the CHFS culture to be a strong, trauma informed, resilient and equitable organization.
Friedlander previously served in the role of Chief Resiliency Officer for Metro Louisville government as a part of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative of the Rockerfeller Foundation. In that role he also served as the Director the Louisville’s Office of Resilience and Community Services overseeing programs serving marginalized populations either due to homelessness, poverty, or food insecurity.
Friedlander, of Louisville, has committed his life to public service since 1985 and has served in various roles within CHFS across both Democratic and Republican administrations. He is a graduate of Antioch (Ohio) College and is known for his storytelling, singing, green thumb and penchant for pies. He and his spouse, Indigo Friedlander (ceramicist), have three dogs, and 4 cats.