Kelly J. Leonard
Kelly Leonard is a seasoned healthcare executive and operational leader with more than two decades of experience driving innovation, efficiency, and strategic growth across complex organizations. As Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Optum Bank, she partners closely with executive leadership and the board to enhance organizational effectiveness, oversee enterprise risk management, and support long-term, sustainable growth. In her role, she leads critical functions including delivery teams, fraud operations, and vendor management, while serving in a chief-of-staff capacity that ensures alignment across business priorities and execution.
Throughout her career at UnitedHealth Group, Kelly has built a reputation for leading high-performing teams and transforming complex systems into streamlined, results-driven operations. Her experience spans nearly every major sector of healthcare, including community and state programs, employer and individual plans, specialty benefits, dental, and Medicare and retirement. Prior to her transition into the financial services side of the business, she played a key role in developing and implementing value-based care models, including bundled payment solutions that improved both outcomes and efficiency. Her ability to connect healthcare delivery with financial strategy has positioned her as a leader capable of bridging critical gaps within the industry.
Kelly’s leadership philosophy is rooted in integrity, collaboration, and continuous growth. She is known for aligning people, processes, and technology to broader organizational goals while fostering a culture of accountability and compassion. In addition to her executive responsibilities, she is actively involved in mentorship and professional development initiatives, supporting the next generation of leaders through programs like Menttium and her involvement with Women Business Leaders in Healthcare. With a commitment to learning, innovation, and service, Kelly continues to make a meaningful impact on the evolving landscape of healthcare and financial services.
• Central Michigan University- B.S.
• Women's Business Leadership (WBL)
• United Healthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF)
• Menttium
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to great leaders that have advocated for me and my self-discipline. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to have amazing mentors and advocates for my leadership who I've learned from over the years. I've taken what I've learned from them and created my own leadership style, which has allowed me to lead teams effectively. My self-discipline has been equally important in driving me forward and helping me achieve my goals.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to experience it as the customer, as a consumer. If you have the opportunity to be in the shoes of those we serve, embrace it and understand it from that perspective. Because then, when you're driving forward initiatives, partnerships, or whatever it might be, you have the customer in mind all the time. This advice has shaped how I approach my work and ensures that everything I do is centered around serving our customers effectively.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to keep moving forward and continue to drive quality relationships. Lead with integrity and compassion. It's really about leading with your heart and your experience. Don't shy away from challenges or new opportunities. Take the foundation of who you are and what you've learned, continue to broaden that, share it with others, and bring things together. The key is to never stop moving forward and to always maintain those core values of integrity and compassion in everything you do.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity in my field is that we learn something new every day to bring to the table. What we do with that learning versus running away from it is critical. We pull it in and solve for it. These new opportunities are just as important as the day before. It's important not to overlook anything. Every stone must be turned over, and that's how we do the right thing for our customers that we serve. The constant learning and problem-solving is what makes this field so dynamic and rewarding.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are integrity and compassion. Integrity is one of the biggest ones for me, and compassion is right up there with it. These two values guide everything I do, from how I lead my teams to how I interact with customers and colleagues. They form the foundation of my leadership style and personal approach to both my professional and personal relationships.