[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced the appointment of Greg Norfleet as director of the state's new Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Norfleet will join DEED on September 20, leading the new program's planning, implementation, and operations.

"Greg Norfleet brings a wealth of leadership and direct experience in establishing a successful state Paid Family and Medical Leave program," said Governor Walz. "I look forward to working with him as we build out a program that will support Minnesota's workers and businesses, improve economic security for families, and make Minnesota an even better place to live and work."

"I am thrilled to have an experienced leader in Greg Norfleet implementing and directing this historic Paid Family and Medical Leave program," said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. "Having spent most of my career fighting for this program, I am confident that Greg and this DEED team will make a major impact on millions of Minnesotans, strengthen our economy, and ensure no family ever has to choose between caring for a child or loved one and a paycheck."

Greg Norfleet is currently the chief operating officer for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Previously, he was deputy director for operations at the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which launched in 2021. Before that, he was a member of the Massachusetts Strategic Innovation team, an in-house consulting group deployed on critical initiatives throughout state government on behalf of the Governor's Office. Norfleet was a government innovation fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and he holds an MSc in evidence-based social intervention from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and criminal justice from Indiana University.

"Greg is a highly skilled government practitioner and an innovative program leader with a proven track record in previously launching and running a successful Paid Family and Medical Leave program in Massachusetts," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "We look forward to his leadership in delivering a service that Minnesota workers can easily access in times of need."

"Minnesota is a national leader for innovative legislation, and Paid Family and Medical Leave is a positive game-changer for the state," said Greg Norfleet. "I am thrilled to join DEED at a transformational moment to establish and lead a vital program that will support families during important moments in their lives, help businesses retain workers, and attract new talent to the state."

Launching in January 2026, the state's Paid Family and Medical Leave program will provide Minnesota workers with partial wage replacement benefits when they need time away from work to address their own serious health needs, care for a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new baby or child in the family, or support a family member preparing for overseas military deployment.