Eileena Zepeda
Eileena Zepeda is an accomplished healthcare contracting and provider relations professional with more than three decades of experience supporting health plans, independent practice associations, and medical groups across Southern California. She currently serves as a Business Consultant and Contract Manager with Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) Affiliated Provider Services Contracting team, where she oversees multi-site contract execution and supports regional operational initiatives that strengthen provider network performance.
Known for her expertise in provider negotiations, credentialing coordination, and claims resolution, Eileena leverages data-driven analysis and collaborative leadership to support efficient contract mmanagement and enhance patient-centered care delivery. Her work focuses on aligning provider partnerships with organizational goals while ensuring compliance with complex regulatory and operational regulatory and operational requirements.
Eileena began her career in healthcare administration as a young mother seeking a stable and growth-oriented profession. After completing front-office administration as a young mother seeking a stable and growth-oriented profession. After completing front-office administration training, she gained early experience in private practice and IPA environments, where she developed a strong understanding of health plan operations, provider relations, and network development. Recognizing the value of continued education, she returned to school to earn her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, positioning herself for expanded leadership opportunities within managed care contracting.
Throughout her career, Eileena has contributed to the expansion and optimization of provider networks, supported startup health plan initiatives, and managed complex agreements that strengthened organizational growth and service access. Her work with organizations such as Imperial Health and Alinea Medical Imaging included leading large-scale contracting efforts, improving operational processes, and supporting membership growth through strategic provider partnerships.
Eileena is widely recognized for her collaborative approach, transparency in negotiations, and commitment to mentorship and continuous improvement. Achieving her long-term goal of joining Kaiser Permanente marked a significant milestone in her professional journey. She remains focused on expanding her leadership impact within the healthcare industry while continuing to foster collaboration knowledge sharing, and professional development among colleagues and partners.
• Healthcare Administrator Bachelors of Sicence
• West Coast University- B.A.Sc.
What do you attribute your success to?
Eileena attributes much of her success to the strong and independent woman who raised her—her aunt, who took her in when her mother was not in a position to care for her. A single professional working for Rockwell International on the Space Shuttle program, her aunt exemplified resilience, discipline, and generosity. Her home was always open to women in need of support, and she instilled in Eileena the values of hard work, independence, and compassion for others.
Those early lessons shaped Eileena’s determination to build a career of her own and create financial independence through education and professional growth. Rather than relying on opportunity alone, she focused on developing the skills and experience necessary to build a sustainable and rewarding career in healthcare administration.
Throughout her career, Eileena has also been influenced by leaders who modeled transparency and trust in the workplace. She credits several managers for shaping her leadership philosophy, particularly a former manager at Care1st Health Plan who demonstrated the importance of open communication with staff. Observing that leadership style reinforced her belief that when leaders are transparent and inclusive, teams become stronger, more flexible, and better equipped to support one another.
These experiences have shaped Eileena’s own management approach. She believes that when team members understand the broader goals and challenges of an organization, they are empowered to take ownership of their work and support the team effectively—even in a leader’s absence. Transparency, collaboration, and mentorship remain central to her leadership style and professional values.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If I were giving advice to young women entering this industry, I would tell them to never be afraid to ask questions. Don’t sit in your cubicle waiting for things to come to you—you have to go out and learn, explore, and seek out opportunities. The best way to grow is by being curious and willing to ask the people around you for guidance and insight. Throughout my career, I’ve always tried to maintain an open-door policy. Whether someone is on my team or from another department, if they are interested in the work I’m doing, I encourage them to come in, ask questions, and learn more about it. I’m always happy to share what I know and how my experiences have helped shape my career. I especially encourage young women and girls who are interested in healthcare administration or contracting to stay curious and engaged. Some people might think what I do is boring because I spend a lot of time reading contracts, but I actually find it fascinating. There is always something new to learn, and every agreement or project presents a new challenge to solve. I also believe it’s important to remain open to learning at every stage of your career. Even after many years in this field, I continue to ask questions and learn from my colleagues and supervisors. Growth never really stops—you just keep building on what you know.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the most important values in my life is helping other women, something I learned from the aunt who raised me. She was the kind of person who always had her door open to anyone who needed support. If a woman was going through a difficult time or needed a place to stay, she was always willing to help. Watching her generosity and strength had a lasting impact on me, and she became the example I looked up to as I built my own life and career.
Because of her influence, I believe strongly in supporting and mentoring other women. I want to be someone who is approachable and available to offer guidance to those who are earlier in their careers or looking for direction. Sharing knowledge and helping others grow is something I find incredibly rewarding. I also value independence and hard work. From a young age, I knew I wanted to build a career where I could support myself and create opportunities through my own effort and determination.
At this stage of my life, much of my focus is on my family. I am raising a high school-aged son and recently celebrated my daughter’s graduation, so helping them navigate the next stages of their lives is very important to me. I also hope to support my eldest daughter as she eventually begins her own family, encouraging her through the obstacles I faced and overcame as a parent so that she feels confident and supported in that journey. In addition to my role at Kaiser Permanente, I also maintain a consulting role within the healthcare industry, which keeps me actively engaged in the field.
While my time is currently centered around family and work, I hope that in the future I will have more opportunity to dedicate time to causes and nonprofit organizations that support women and communities in need.