Beth Connolly

Beth Connolly serves as the Assistant Director of the Office of Public Health, within the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP/OPH). In this role Ms. Connolly oversees the development and implementation of public health approaches to reducing drug use and its consequences, focusing on prevention, harm reduction, treatment, workforce and recovery-ready workplaces, and recovery support services.

Ms. Connolly brings to ONDCP decades of public health and human services experience in both government and non-profit sectors. Beth served for thirty years in the New Jersey Department of Human Services, concluding her state government career as the Department’s Commissioner. Her government experience includes serving people who are often underrepresented and face social challenges such as homelessness and a lack of health care. During her tenure she shepherded reforms related to behavioral health, Medicaid and its expansion, safety net programs, child welfare, and the adoption of home- and community-based support services.

After leaving state government, Ms. Connolly joined the Pew Charitable Trusts. There she directed the substance use prevention and treatment initiative leading research and technical assistance efforts across the federal government and states to promote evidence-based transformation of the treatment system, expand the substance use disorder workforce, optimize coverage and reimbursement for effective treatment, and improve the delivery and coordination of care for underserved populations. Ms. Connolly has served as an adjunct professor in graduate programs at Seton Hall University, Rutgers University, and Georgetown University.

Beth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master in Public Administration both from Seton Hall University.