Sarah Peterson Appointed Commissioner of Department of Developmental Services

BOSTON — Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh announced that Sarah Peterson has been appointed commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), effective immediately. Peterson has served as acting commissioner since the end of August 2024, following two years as general counsel for DDS.

“Sarah has spent her entire career advocating so that people can access the supports and services they need to thrive in their communities,” Walsh said. “We have every confidence in her ability to lead this critically important agency as it deepens its commitment and further develops programs and services so DDS clients —who are our family members, neighbors, and friends — can continue to thrive. Sarah will be a strong and close collaborator with the people we serve and their families so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our state can live their best lives.”

“DDS is a tremendous agency, and I am honored to have been selected to serve as its commissioner. The past seven months as acting commissioner have given me insights into both the successes and challenges in the work that we do,” Peterson said. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead DDS into its next chapter with an eye toward greater transparency, equity, and consistency in our delivery of services and with increased communication and engagement from our stakeholders.”

Peterson joined DDS as deputy general counsel in 2017, managing a large team of attorneys and paralegals across the Commonwealth and serving as a key legal advisor on issues ranging from investigations to risk management to human rights. As general counsel starting in 2022, she reorganized the DDS legal team to improve compliance, transparency and collaboration, including with its workforce and collective-bargaining units and with the Office of the Attorney General.