Region 8

Susan Beckman was appointed in January 2020 to serve as Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Region VIII. As a President Appointed Regional Director, Ms. Beckman provides executive leadership as the primary representative for the Secretary of Health and Human Services in Region VIII. Regional Director Beckman is focused on ensuring the Department maintains close contact with state, local, and Tribal partners and addresses the needs of communities and individuals served through HHS programs and policies in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Regional Director Beckman comes to USDHHS with over twenty years of leadership and management experience in Health and Human Services. As a former State Legislator, representing the Littleton area in Colorado, she focused on legislation that aimed to make the health care system more efficient, competitive, and transparent.

As an Arapahoe County Commissioner, Beckman oversaw the Arapahoe County Human Service Department. She has been recognized for her work in Human Services across the State of Colorado, successfully leading efforts to reduce unnecessary red tape in the Child Welfare System. 

As an Office Director for the Colorado State Department of Human Services, Beckman oversaw facility maintenance for 285 state owned and operated buildings. She was responsible for human resources in an organization of over 5,000 employees, many of them direct care and health care professionals.

Beckman grew up in Trinidad, Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Today Beckman, and her husband reside in the Denver metro area. They have two adult children.