Melissa Hansen Schmadeke has been named executive director of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

Schmadeke previously served as executive director of the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan.

She has 17 years of government experience comprising budget analysis, financial reporting and crafting legislation. She was a legislative director for 12 years and worked on legislation ranging from health coverage for young adults to reducing predatory lending.

Schmadeke holds a Master of Arts degree in political studies from the University of Illinois-Springfield and a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.

She was an active member of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine's Denim and Diamonds Gala committee for five years and will serve as committee chair in 2018.

She and her husband, Charles, live in Springfield and have a daughter, Lucy Anne.

Schmadeke began on Nov. 20 to transition into the role of executive director succeeding Elena Kezelis, who retired on Dec. 31.