As insurers pivot their market and product strategies, executive leadership has been evolving at health plans and their parent companies. Here are 28 health plan leadership moves to know from the second half of 2026:
Executive Moves
CareSource has named Stephanie Williams as its new chief financial officer. She succeeds Larry Smart, who will be retiring after serving as the insurer’s CFO for 6 years, according to an Oct. 1 news release. Ms. Williams first joined CareSource…
Retired Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, MSN, is stepping back into her previous role as CEO of Optum Serve, UnitedHealth Group’s federal government health services business. An Optum announcement shared with Becker’s said Ms. Horoho was Optum Serve’s founding CEO. She…
Tom Curtin was named executive vice president of Kaiser Permanente’s National Health Plan after serving as its interim leader since May. In the role, effective immediately, Mr. Curtin will lead health plan strategy and operations with a focus on growth,…
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has named a chief transformation officer and hired two vice presidents, the organization said Sept. 29. Lynn Merritt has been promoted to executive vice president and chief transformation officer. She will oversee people experience, corporate…
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Dennis O’Brien, CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s individual Medicare Advantage business, has been named president of UnitedHealthcare Networks, he announced in a LinkedIn post Sept. 29. In the new role, Mr. O’Brien said he will focus on strengthening the company’s relationships with…
Bobby Hunter has been named president of UnitedHealthcare. Mr. Hunter said Sept. 28 his focus in the new role will be on speeding up UnitedHealthcare’s modernization agenda, working toward a system where plans and providers work together more seamlessly, information…
Milwaukee-based Children’s Wisconsin named Bill Hanna as president of its affiliated insurer, Chorus Community Health Plans, Sept. 28. Mr. Hanna will oversee the direction and strategies for CCHP, which offers Medicaid coverage through the state’s BadgerCare Plus program. He will…
Wes Donohoe is serving as Optum Health’s CEO for AI and product innovation, the company confirmed to Becker’s Sept. 28. According to Mr. Donohoe’s LinkedIn post, he started the role, which focuses on AI and product innovation, Sept. 21. Mr.…
Elevance Health named Venkat Alladi as vice president and CIO of the commercial health benefits division, the company confirmed to Becker’s Sept. 28. Mr. Alladi’s team supports digital, data and AI advancement. The technology efforts encompass the commercial, specialty, Federal…