Commissioner

Kimberly G. Boswell was sworn in as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) on December 16, 2020. 

 Governor Kay Ivey said of Commissioner Boswell, “She has spent the entirety of her professional career devoted to helping struggling individuals and I appreciate her willingness to serve in this new capacity. Her background as a mental health provider as well as administrator makes her uniquely qualified.” 

 Since 2021, Boswell has created and expanded the Alabama Crisis System of Care, which is comprised of Crisis Centers, Mobile Crisis Teams, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The Alabama Crisis System of Care offers individuals experiencing a mental health, substance use and/or suicidal crisis access to vital services, not previously available in the state. 

 Boswell has more than 36 years of experience working with individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities. Boswell previously served as Chief of Staff, Associate Commissioner for Administration, and Director of Human Resources for ADMH.   

 Over the course of her career, she worked as a planner to improve human service delivery systems, a program evaluator, a School to Work transition coordinator, and also served as the state office administrator for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. 

 Boswell is a board member of the National Academy for State Health Policy and the Long Term and Chronic Care Committee. She is also a member of the Mescal’s Children Center for Hope Board, a Christian ministry serving children in Kenya.   

She earned her Master of Social Work from the Florida State University College of Social Work in 1984, with a specialization in planning and program evaluation. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Boswell received Florida State University’s Distinguished Alumni in Social Work Policy and Administration Award in 2023.  

Boswell resides in Montgomery, with her husband Cary.