Alumni Career Award
Trish Riley ’73, ’78G is a distinguished alumna of the University of Maine whose career exemplifies extraordinary leadership, public service, and enduring commitment to her alma mater, the State of Maine, and the nation. A two-time UMaine graduate, Trish has devoted more than five decades to advancing equitable, accessible, and effective health policy while consistently giving back to the University that helped shape her path.
Nationally, Trish is best known as the founder and longtime CEO of the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), which she built into one of the country’s most respected nonpartisan forums for state health policymakers. In Maine, she served in senior leadership roles under five governors, including as Director of the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance. In that role, she was the principal architect of Dirigo Health Reform, a landmark initiative that expanded access to health insurance and helped inform national health reform, including the Affordable Care Act. Her expertise has been sought at the highest levels of government and policy, reflecting her intellect, integrity, and practical leadership.
Equally significant is Trish’s exceptional service to the University of Maine. From her early involvement as a student leader to decades of alumni engagement, she has chaired the Alumni Association, the Board of Visitors, served on the UMaine Foundation Board, and currently serves as Chair of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. Her leadership has guided the System through periods of challenge and opportunity, strengthening access, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
Trish Riley’s career embodies the highest ideals of the Alumni Career Award—professional distinction, innovation, and a lifelong commitment to service. She represents the very best of the University of Maine.