In 2026, Centene’s leadership has turned over at many levels, from state health plan executives to the C-suite.
The insurer ended 2025 with a 91.9% medical loss ratio and a $6.7 billion loss. That loss was mainly driven by a $6.7 billion non-cash goodwill impairment, spurred by HR 1 and a drop in the company’s stock price.
While Centene’s financials have been improving in 2026, the company is still grappling with the challenges of running a business centered on government-backed health plans. In March, Centene executives said they anticipated nearly a 40% drop in ACA membership by the end of the year as the company prioritized margins over membership. In July, the company reported year-over-year declines in Medicaid and Medicare membership, as well.
Centene also confirmed buyouts to Becker’s in June. A spokesperson said most employees were able to apply for the voluntary separation program. Centene’s website originally noted 61,000 personnel, but the company updated its headcount to 59,800 as of June 30.
Health plans will face more uncertainty in 2027, as Medicaid work rules take effect and MA financial pressures mount.
Here are the biggest executive moves across the company to know:
- Troy Hildreth, the president of WellCare of North Carolina, left his role. WellCare of North Carolina was Centene’s brand for government-backed plans in the state, but it recently got regulatory approval for a merger with Carolina Complete Health, formed in part by Centene. The merged entity adopted Carolina Complete Health branding.
- While Ashlee Knuckey still has her role as Centene’s chief risk, ethics and compliance officer listed on LinkedIn, Adam Loomans’ profile indicates he has been serving as interim chief compliance officer since August. Previously, he was Centene’s deputy general counsel and chief of staff.
- Fannie Mae alum Bradley Bolivar stepped into Centene’s CIO role on Aug. 31 as Brian LeClaire prepares to retire by the end of October.
- Centene CFO Drew Asher is leaving his role at the end of 2026, according to an August news release. Mr. Asher will officially exit the company at the end of 2027 as he facilitates the transition. Chris Neczypor joined Centene from Lincoln Financial in September. He will take over Mr. Asher’s role in January.
- Centene’s former executive vice president of products and markets, Kenneth Burdick, retired from the board of directors, effective July 28. Paul Diaz, a managing partner at private investing firm Cressey & Co., joined the board that day.
- Wendy Batchelder, who served as senior vice president and chief data officer, updated her LinkedIn profile to reflect that she is no longer with the company as of July.
- Brian Ternan left his Health Net CEO role to lead the commercial business for GuideWell, the parent organization of Florida Blue. Eric Schmacker took over as Health Net’s plan president and CEO.
- Pam Shipley, Centene’s chief strategy officer, left the company, according to a May LinkedIn post. She now serves as CEO of consulting firm AArete.
- James Schlottman, CEO and plan president of Centene’s Louisiana Medicaid plan, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, announced his “early retirement” in May after more than 15 years.
- The chief health equity officer for Centene’s Health Net, Pooja Mittal, DO, shared in May that she was leaving the company.
Becker’s has reached out to Centene and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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