Her Story
About Rae
Rae Wang is a healthcare analytics leader with expertise in operational analytics, data strategy, and healthcare affordability. She currently serves as Associate Director at Optum Health Analytics, where she leads a team of six in developing scalable reporting systems and unified analytics frameworks that support enterprise data integration, medical expense management, and clinical operations reporting. Her work focuses on transforming fragmented regional data into cohesive, national-level insights that enable better decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and support long-term organizational strategy.
She earned her Master of Science in Business Analytics from the USC Marshall School of Business, where she built a strong foundation in machine learning, statistical modeling, data mining, and business intelligence. During her graduate studies, she achieved second place in a healthcare analytics case competition, a milestone that led to her internship at Humana. That internship transitioned into a full-time role, launching her career in healthcare analytics. At Humana, she contributed to predictive modeling, automated reporting systems, and executive dashboards that supported pharmacy operations and healthcare service optimization. These experiences strengthened her ability to bridge technical analytics with business impact.
Growing up in a family of physicians, Rae developed a deep appreciation for healthcare and a strong motivation to contribute to the industry’s improvement through data and technology. Although she did not pursue a clinical path, she remains passionate about improving patient outcomes and healthcare systems through analytics-driven decision-making. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures, which has shaped her global perspective and strengthened her adaptability and communication skills. She is fluent in English and Mandarin and brings a multicultural lens to her leadership style, combining technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a passion for continuous growth and exploration.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rae
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous self-reflection. I consistently challenge myself to understand the root causes of issues and to identify sustainable, long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. This approach has enabled me to design and implement impactful improvements, strengthen operational systems, and clearly demonstrate value and contributions to leadership.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that time is the most valuable asset I have. My parents emphasized the importance of using time intentionally investing it in building skills, expanding knowledge, and practicing reflection rather than getting caught up in short-term savings that ultimately cost more time. This perspective has been especially valuable as I advance in my career, helping me shift from an individual contributor mindset to a leadership focus where prioritization, efficiency, and long-term growth are essential.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Have confidence in your abilities and stay curious by asking questions and seeking to understand how and why things work. In healthcare analytics, while there is concern about AI replacing roles, the real value lies in data storytelling and translating data into meaningful decisions—skills that remain difficult to automate. Embrace AI as a tool to enhance efficiency and reduce repetitive tasks, so you can focus more on critical thinking, problem-solving, and developing strong analytical logic rather than simply writing code line by line.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the field is the perception that AI is a universal solution capable of addressing any problem without significant effort. In reality, effective AI requires high-quality data, thoughtful model training, and substantial time, cost, and expertise to develop tools that generate meaningful and reliable business insights. AI is not inherently self-sufficient and must be carefully designed and guided to produce accurate outcomes. At the same time, there are significant opportunities in leveraging AI to enhance everyday workflows such as organizing communications, supporting meetings, and assisting with coding which ultimately frees professionals to focus on higher-level strategic thinking and decision-making.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Growth is the most important value in both my professional and personal life. I am naturally curious and thrive in environments where I am continuously learning, challenged, and exposed to new experiences. Whether in my career or personal pursuits, I prioritize opportunities that allow me to expand my skills, deepen my understanding, and evolve over time, as I find sustained fulfillment in ongoing development and progress.
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