Amy Gleason took on the challenge of caring for her daughter who was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease in 2010. She tirelessly carried binders of medical records to appointments with doctors across six health systems to ensure the best care for juvenile dermatomyositis. In addition to volunteering at a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure, she founded a health care company that developed record-sharing software to assist chronically ill patients and their families.
Recognized as a “Champion of Change” by President Barack Obama’s White House within five years, Gleason continued her work in health care technology during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. She played a crucial role in building data systems for the federal response under the first Trump administration. Despite her accomplishments, she remained relatively unknown to the public.
Unexpectedly, President Donald Trump appointed Gleason as the acting administrator of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position that appeared to hold significant power. However, her leadership was overshadowed by Elon Musk, who was widely believed to be leading the agency despite legal arguments stating otherwise.
The confusion surrounding Gleason’s role at DOGE raised questions about her authority and responsibilities, with some speculating that she might be a mere figurehead. Despite this, former colleagues praised Gleason as a dedicated professional who worked diligently to achieve her goals. Her background as a nurse turned health care technology entrepreneur showcased her commitment to improving patient care and her ability to succeed through hard work and merit.
While the White House press secretary confirmed Gleason’s tenure as the acting administrator at DOGE, internal sources indicated a different understanding of her position. The uncertainty surrounding her role contributed to the veil of mystery shrouding DOGE and its operations, with critics questioning the agency’s claimed savings and effectiveness under her leadership.
The individual who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation spoke about Gleason, whose exact role within the government was not clearly defined. However, it was evident that she was collaborating closely with DOGE leaders. Allegedly, she urged civil service employees in the office to hire two individuals who had previously failed screening reviews; both were eventually hired by DOGE, according to sources who talked to The Associated Press. The ambiguity surrounding Gleason’s position and appointment timeline could have significant implications for lawsuits challenging Musk’s significant reduction of the government workforce.
During questioning by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, government lawyers struggled to clarify the leadership of DOGE and Musk’s specific role. This prompted Kollar-Kotelly to question if the office was potentially violating the Constitution’s appointments clause, as Musk had not been nominated to head the office or received Senate confirmation. The Trump administration later announced that Gleason was appointed as DOGE’s acting administrator, a question they had previously avoided answering.
Contrary to many DOGE employees, Gleason does not have prior connections to Musk. She previously served as the chief products officer at health care companies in Nashville founded by Brad Smith, a former health care official in the Trump administration and a DOGE adviser. Smith and Gleason collaborated on Trump’s transition efforts after the 2020 election, and her involvement in Trump’s circle expanded. She rejoined the United States Digital Service in December, where she had previously worked on government health care technology projects from 2018 to 2021.
Upon his return to office, Trump signed an executive order renaming USDS as the US DOGE Service, tasking it with supporting Musk’s cost-saving agenda. Subsequently, numerous individuals associated with DOGE, who supported Musk’s initiatives, began infiltrating government agencies, seeking access to sensitive data systems and advocating for significant changes. While 21 employees resigned in protest of Musk’s directives, Gleason accepted a role that placed her in an unfamiliar public position.
Travis Bond, a long-time colleague of Gleason in Florida’s health care industry, praised her capabilities and predicted her success in her new role amidst public scrutiny. Bond emphasized Gleason’s deep knowledge and passion for the field.
Gleason, along with Bond and Grant, co-founded CareSync Inc. in 2011, a company that developed an app to assist patients with chronic illnesses in managing their medical records. Despite receiving a substantial grant, CareSync struggled to attract subscribers and shifted its focus in 2015 to capitalize on Medicare billing regulations for remote care management services. The company expanded rapidly but faced financial difficulties and closed abruptly in 2018, leaving employees without jobs and creditors unpaid.
Following CareSync’s closure, Gleason sought a new direction and applied for a position at USDS, encouraged by her previous experiences.
Aneesh Chopra, who served as the U.S. chief technology officer under the Obama administration, chose not to comment on the matter. Erin Gleason’s main focus was on enhancing technology systems at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Throughout the pandemic, she collaborated with White House response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx to create effective laboratory and hospital data reporting systems. In a recent CNN interview, Birx commended Gleason as a dedicated and skilled individual who recognizes the importance of data. As her three-year term came to a close in 2021, Gleason highlighted the digital service’s goal of empowering civil servants, introducing innovative technology approaches to government, and aiding in modernizing their initiatives. She emphasized the mission of striving to benefit the most people in critical situations, stating, “Our mission is really to do the greatest good, for the greatest number of people, in the greatest need.”
