Ms. Hayes was appointed as the Area Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vaya Health effective July 1, 2023, following her service as Vaya’s General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer since 2013. As a former Medicaid beneficiary and recipient of public welfare programs, she has a deep empathy for the experience of Vaya’s members and is committed to preserving and sustaining the public behavioral health system as the best way to support the people and communities we have the privilege to serve. In November 2024, Governor Josh Stein appointed her to the statewide Brain Injury Advisory Council, where she is co-chair.
Ms. Hayes brings over 20 years of experience with North Carolina’s public system to the role of Area Director and CEO. Prior to joining Vaya, Ms. Hayes served as Special Deputy Attorney General at the N.C. Department of Justice, representing the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Her work on both civil and administrative matters for the NC Medicaid program as well as the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services offered opportunities to gain valuable insight and build strong relationships with stakeholders throughout the state. Ms. Hayes was also the first General Counsel for Alliance Health, another North Carolina LME/MCO operating out of the Raleigh/Durham area.
Ms. Hayes obtained her undergraduate degree from New College of Florida and her juris doctorate from Tulane University Law School. She is certified in healthcare compliance and licensed to practice law in North Carolina.