Experiential Learning and Opportunity Internship Program Leadership and Support
Debra Farrington, Chief Health Equity Officer
Debra Farrington is DHHS Deputy Secretary/Chief Health Equity Officer, focused on addressing health disparities and the health needs of North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens. Before her promotion to the Deputy Secretary role in May 2022, Debra was the Chief of Staff for NC Medicaid. In that role, Debra provided support to the Deputy Secretary on overall program vision, leadership and strategic direction for NC Medicaid including planning, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating operations and policies to promote health equity, effective program administration and service delivery. One of Debra’s biggest priorities during her tenure as chief of staff was to support Medicaid staff on equity-related issues. Notably, after the civil unrest of 2020, Debra worked with colleagues in NC Medicaid to form a Diversity and Inclusion Committee and retain an equity and inclusion vendor to conduct an organizational assessment and provide training and leadership coaching to executive leadership. Debra has supported the agency’s focus on advancing equity in hiring, advancement, and creation of HR policies for historically marginalized individuals. Debra joined the Medicaid program in October 2016 after working for several decades in the Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME-MCO) and area authority systems.
Debra is a native North Carolinian reared and educated in rural Columbus County where she learned the value of family, hard work and perseverance. Debra received a BA in Psychology and Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience in community-based services for children and adults with behavioral health needs.
Dr. Bryle Henderson Hatch, Director of the Office of People, Culture and Belonging
Dr. Bryle Henderson Hatch is an inclusive engagement professional with experience in workforce development, and educational programming. He facilitates the strategic efforts to build and sustain a strong and inclusive workforce at DHHS that can intervene to effectively achieve health and program equity outcomes.
His professional experiences include serving as Vice President and Chief of Staff of West Virginia State University and Executive Director for Community Engagement at North Carolina A&T State University. He recently served as the Executive Director of Thrive High Point, a multi-million-dollar initiative to support diversity and inclusion in local entrepreneurship.
He served as the Diversity Manager for Duke University’s School of Medicine; leading underrepresented minority recruitment, faculty education, community building, and external projects related to diversity and inclusion. Hatch also worked as the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) and a Director of Workforce Development within the North Carolina Community College System.
Dr. Hatch earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communication, a master’s degree in adult and higher education and a doctorate in leadership studies, all from North Carolina A&T State University. He also completed post-baccalaureate studies in public communication at American University in Washington, D.C.
Michael Leach, Senior Advisor
Michael A. Leach is a career state employee who uses organizational, research, advocacy, negotiating and communications skills to help elected officials and public administrators best shape public policy. He currently serves as Senior Advisor with DHHS, Office of the Secretary, Health Equity Portfolio and is an HBCU alum from Shaw University and NC Central University.
Donyea Daniels, Internship Program Manager
Donyea L. Daniels joins the Health Equity Portfolio as the Internship Program Manager. Mr. Daniels has 31 years of professional experience in the education sector working at local and state levels. He served as a school administrator, content specialist, and classroom teacher.
Donyea is passionate about advancing the professional and instructional growth of adult learners across diverse communities. Donyea is also passionate about living mentally and physically healthy.
A native of North Carolina, Donyea Daniels received his undergraduate degree in Education from East Carolina University and a graduate degree in School Administration from North Carolina Central University.
Donyea Daniels dedicated more than 30 years of service as an educator, consultant and school administrator.