NASCA Press Release: Christopher Bahm Announced as 2026 20 Under 40 Award Winner

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2026

Contact: Elizabeth Whitehouse, Executive Director, executivedirector@nasca.org

NASCA Press Release: Christopher Bahm Announced as 2026 20 Under 40 Award Winner

Baton Rouge, LA — The National Association of State Chief Administrators is proud to announce Christopher Bahm, Undersecretary at the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), as a 2026 20 Under 40 NASCA Award recipient.

The NASCA 20 Under 40 Award recognizes 20 exceptional young leaders from across the country who are making significant contributions to state government. Our 2026 honorees represent the very best of public service – exemplifying innovation, collaboration, and a dedication to improving the lives of those they serve every single day.

As DCFS Undersecretary, Bahm oversees the agency’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that staff and projects are aligned to effectively serve children and families across the state. Throughout his service, Christopher has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public impact, ensuring DCFS delivers meaningful and measurable improvements for Louisiana’s most vulnerable populations.

One of Christopher’s most significant accomplishments has been leading and completing a strategic reorganization to better align DCFS resources to support front line staff. This effort strengthened coordination across divisions, improved operational efficiency, and ensured talent and funding were deployed where they could have the greatest impact. The reorganization was intentionally execution focused — designed not only to modernize the agency, but to improve service delivery, workforce effectiveness, and long term sustainability.

Upon nominating Bahm, Ashley Schenck, Associate Director at Guidehouse, highlighted his ability to drive measurable results for children and families across Louisiana.

“As a servant leader, Christopher leads with operational excellence as a core value. He brings clarity, structure, and purpose to complex environments, setting high expectations while fostering trust and collaboration.”

Schenck continued, “For his servant leadership, operational excellence, and transformative contributions to Louisiana’s children, families, and communities, Christopher Bahm is exceptionally deserving of recognition as a 20 Under 40 Award recipient.”

Bahm’s ability to translate vision into tangible action, improving systems, innovation, and effectiveness along the way, makes him an ideal recipient of the NASCA 20 Under 40 Award. NASCA celebrates his selection as a 20 Under 40 recipient, and we look forward to his continued work advancing excellence in state government operations.

Founded in 1976, NASCA is the nation’s only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving chief administrative officers or CAOs. NASCA provides a forum for state chief administrative officers to exchange information and learn new ideas from each other and private sector partners. NASCA engages states in transforming government operations through shared knowledge, operational excellence, and thought leadership.

For more information on NASCA, please visit NASCA.org.