More than two decades of experience at the intersection of public policy, government relations, membership recruitment and service and association management; former policy advisor to Minnesota Governor, deputy assistant secretary for legislation at HHS, US House and Senate staffer, MN House staffer.

Matthew (Matt) Hughes is a senior director affiliated with the Washington, D.C. office. Matt advises complex health care coalitions and provides policy counsel and analysis involving regulations, legislation, and their implications for health care stake holders. Matt has over 20 years of experience at the intersection of public policy, government relations, and membership recruitment and association management.

Prior to joining Leavitt Partners, Matt was the vice president & Minnesota managing director of Cooperative Network, where he directed Minnesota member relations, government affairs strategy, and policy issue response and development, strategic communications development, and general business operations. He also previously served as a senior policy advisor to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Leavitt during President George W. Bush’s administration. Matt also served as Legislative Assistant in the offices of Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho and former Congressman Mark Kennedy of Minnesota, in addition to working as a Committee Administrator and Research Consultant in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Matt received a bachelor’s degree in management from Saint John’s University.