Kareem D. Murphy
Minneapolis
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy County Administrator
HENNEPIN COUNTY
Minneapolis
08.2025 - Current
- Executive leader for three lines of business, 4,400+ FTEs, 22 departments, and $1 billion in budget authority
- Chief strategist for health care delivery and human services including 2 FQHCs, largest local public health department in the Upper Midwest, and a Medicaid health plan
- Coordinates collaboration with county-owned Level 1 Trauma health system
- Engages governmental partners at local, state, and national level to drive policy alignment and coordinate public expenditures
Assistant County Administrator for Disparity Elimination
HENNEPIN COUNTY
Minneapolis
10.2024 - 07.2025
- Senior Executive overseeing eight departments, 140 FTEs, and a $40 million Line of Business
- Leads countywide work to address racial disparities including strategic planning, program design, and performance outcomes
- Crafted implementation of nation-leading Anti-Displacement transportation investment program
- Works directly with Board of County Commissioners in policy development and program implementation for Board actions
Director of Intergovernmental Relations
HENNEPIN COUNTY
Minneapolis
07.2018 - 10.2024
- Guided Board of Commissioners in developing and implementing federal and state legislative programs
- Engaged Minnesota state government (legislature and executive branch), Congress, the White House, and federal agencies in policy priorities of the Board of Commissioners.
- Managed relations with Minnesota local governments, community groups, private sector, and state and national local government associations
- Coordinated policy development for all county departments including public health, Hennepin County Medical Center, transportation, environment and energy, elections, human services, and public works
- Lead lobbying team of six employees and ten state and federal contract lobbying firms
Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Relations
HENNEPIN COUNTY
Minneapolis
02.2014 - 06.2018
- Engaged Minnesota state government and federal government to advance the County’s health and human services policy objectives
- Coordinated county engagement with Department of Human Services and Department of Health leadership
- Managed stakeholder relations with several Minnesota and national local government associations and community advocates in health and human services programs
- Supported Director of Intergovernmental Relations in policy develop for transportation, environment and energy, water and natural resources, and bonding
Partner
THE FERGUSON GROUP
Washington
10.2000 - 02.2014
- Engaged Congress and federal agencies in policy priorities of the firm’s public sector clients
- Managed extensive and diverse portfolio of stakeholders and issues, including health and human services, workforce development, community development, homeland security, public safety, transportation, and HIV/AIDS
- Developed and advanced federal agendas that detail agency/program policy and funding priorities
- Drafted legislative language, floor speeches, and regulatory proposals for consideration by Members of Congress, federal agencies, and clients to advance client’s policy priorities.
- Created new business opportunities and strategies in Health and Human Services and Homeland Security for the firm
- Cited by Influence magazine as one of DC’s top lobbyists in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Expanded firm partnerships with national organizations including National Governors Association, National Association of Counties, National Public Safety Partnership, and the Energy Communities Alliance
Education
Ph.D. - American History
University of Maryland
College ParkM.A. - American History
University of Maryland
College ParkB.A. - History and Spanish
Howard University
Washington, DCSkills
- Policy analysis
- Policy writing
- Budget management
- Lobbying strategies
- Program evaluation
- Stakeholder engagement
Affiliations
- Past President, National Association of County Intergovernmental Relations Officials
- Member, Board of Directors, National Association of Counties, 2021-2023
- Member, National Association of Queer County Officials (NACo-affiliate)
- Board of Directors, The Global Justice Institute, 10/2011 - present
- International Governing Board, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, 2011-2016
- Member and Health Subcommittee Chair, Inaugural Advisory Committee, Mayor’s Office of GLBT Affairs, Washington, DC, 2012-2013
- Howard University Alumni Association of the Twin Cities
Timeline
Deputy County Administrator
HENNEPIN COUNTY
08.2025 - Current
Assistant County Administrator for Disparity Elimination
HENNEPIN COUNTY
10.2024 - 07.2025
Director of Intergovernmental Relations
HENNEPIN COUNTY
07.2018 - 10.2024
Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Relations
HENNEPIN COUNTY
02.2014 - 06.2018
Partner
THE FERGUSON GROUP
10.2000 - 02.2014
Ph.D. - American History
University of Maryland
M.A. - American History
University of Maryland
B.A. - History and Spanish
Howard University