Our IMPACT Stories: Marko Mijic on Making the Safety-Net Work for Those Who Need It Most

At Sellers Dorsey our mission to enhance healthcare quality, access, and outcomes for vulnerable populations drives everything we do. Each of our team members dedicates their work to helping people live their healthiest lives by strengthening the healthcare programs that support the people who need them most. We all have our unique stories to share as to why we do the work that we do.

Today, Managing Director, Marko Mijic, shares his story and answers the question, “What’s your Why?”

Marko’s IMPACT story:
For me, I do this work because I owe everything to this country.

At 11 years old, I arrived in America with nothing but a suitcase and the hope of a better life. My family fled a war-torn country, leaving behind everything we knew. I didn’t speak the language, didn’t understand the culture, and had no idea what the future held. But what I did have was a country that gave us a chance.

Government programs like Medicaid weren’t just policies on paper—they were the reason my family could stand on our own two feet. They gave us access to healthcare, stability, and the opportunity to build a future. These programs weren’t about charity; they were about dignity. They gave me the space to learn, grow, and dream beyond survival.

That’s why I do what I do. Because I know what it’s like to be on the other side of government decisions, relying on a system that can either open doors or shut them. I know how much it matters when policies are designed with people in mind. A system that sees the humanity in every person, no matter their background, income, or zip code.  And I know that when the safety-net system works the way it should, it transforms lives. I am living proof of that.

I also do this work because I believe in us—in the fundamental idea that America’s strength comes from its diversity. E Pluribus Unum—out of many, one. In today’s world, where division, hate, and fear seem to be growing, I refuse to accept that this is who we are. I believe in a country that lifts people up, that welcomes differences, and that understands our greatest power is in our shared humanity.

And more than anything, my why is my children. I want them to grow up in a country that values compassion over cruelty, inclusion over exclusion, and opportunity for all. A place where every child, no matter where they come from, has a shot at something better.

That’s why I’m at Sellers Dorsey. Because I believe in making the safety-net system work for the people who need it most. Because I know that well-designed policies can change the trajectory of a life. Because I believe in giving back to the country that gave me everything.

This is my why.

About Marko:
Marko joins Sellers Dorsey from the California Health and Human Services Agency, where he most recently served as Undersecretary. In this capacity, he managed 12 departments and five offices, overseeing more than 34,000 employees and a budget of $260 billion. Marko’s leadership focused on streamlining government operations, expanding access to safety-net programs, and advancing an equitable pandemic recovery.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MARKO