Paul Fleissner

Managing Principal

Health Management Associates

St. Paul, MN

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Working to integrate services across systems and communities, Paul Fleissner is a seasoned executive who has developed programs and policies aimed at creating pathways out of poverty for families, building healthier communities, addressing behavioral health needs, and serving vulnerable populations.

Before joining HMA, he served as behavioral health director with the Minnesota Department of Human Services where he directed the operations, policy, and budget of Minnesota’s substance use disorder services, mental health services and problem gambling supports. He developed policy and funding proposals to build effective, equitable systems of care for Minnesotans needing behavioral health services.

For nearly three decades Paul served Olmsted County in various and increasingly senior roles, most recently serving as deputy county administrator. During his long tenure, he built a reputation for being an inclusive and innovative team leader with an ability to foster healthy workplace cultures and help repair those workplaces in crisis.

In his experience with Olmsted County, Paul established and led the Community Services Division which provides social services, public assistance, Veteran’s services and housing supports. Working to better operationalize the department, he led the efforts to apply data in order to inform system change and reduce inequities, improving outcomes for diverse populations. Additionally, he fostered unique partnerships to develop innovative services for homeless populations, at-risk families, and youth and adults with behavioral health needs.

An authentic servant leader, Paul has lent his expertise and voice to efforts to pass legislation providing bonding dollars for behavioral health crisis centers and support housing to create a viable behavioral health continuum of care in the state.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from St. Cloud State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Winona State University. He has participated in the Harvard Leadership for a Networked World forum and helped design the University of Minnesota Future Services Institute.