Meet our Staff
Craig A. Kennedy, MPH
President and CEO
Craig Kennedy joined MHPA in December of 2019 after more than two decades in non-profit association management and in leadership positions on Capitol Hill. He has management responsibility for all aspects of the Association and reports to the MHPA Board of Directors. Prior to joining MHPA, Craig was the Executive Director for the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU), where he led ACU to record growth over his six-year tenure and helped secure new federal grant funding for the organization.
Shannon Attanasio
Vice President, Government Relations and Advocacy
Shannon Attanasio is Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy at the Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA), the leading association representing Medicaid managed care organizations. In this role, Shannon is responsible for developing, implementing and executing MHPA's federal legislative and Administrative strategy.
Patrick Corr
Vice President, Membership and Engagement
With over 15 years experience in association management, Patrick Corr brings broad expertise in membership advocacy and insurance in healthcare associations. Previously, Patrick was with the American College of Radiology, American Academy of Otolaryngology, and American Chiropractic Association serving in membership or insurance roles. Most recently, Patrick served as the Corporate Development Manager for the American Academy of Otolaryngology. He also is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.
Sean Garrity
Director, Federal Affairs
Sean Garrity joins MHPA with nearly a decade of experience in health care advocacy. Most recently he served as the Director of Advocacy at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), where he led the organization’s political and grassroots advocacy efforts, including spearheading ACOG’s annual 700+ physician legislative conference, instituting a sweeping grassroots and grasstops advocacy program, and leveraging legislative and political relationships to achieve results for ob-gyns and the patients they serve.
Corey Pleasants, MPA
Director, State Affairs
Corey Pleasants joins MHPA with over a decade of experience in managed care policy, operations, and advocacy. His responsibilities include identifying, developing, and managing strategic relationships with states, state associations, and other relevant stakeholders to advance the Medicaid priorities of MHPA, our members MCOs, and the Medicaid managed care industry at the state level.
Eric Hansen
Associate Director, Partnership Engagement
Eric Hansen joined MHPA in January of 2022 with more than seven years of experience in member relations and development at non-profit associations. Most recently, he was the Specialist of Industry and Associate Relations at the Edison Electric Institute. Eric is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.
Jax Fontenot
Senior Accountant
Jax Fontenot joined MHPA in April 2022 with 14 years of accounting experience. She is responsible for overseeing the financial activities for MHPA under accordance with the GAAP & HIPPA along with the knowledge of medical billing and coding.
Cindy Martin
Events Director
Cindy Martin has over 30 years experience planning and managing conferences for associations and scientific societies. Cindy is responsible for the overall planning and execution of the MHPA annual conference, advocacy summit and other board, partner and member events.