kaiser permanente Executives | Leadership Team & Company Leadership

Date August 22, 2025
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kaiser permanente

COMPANY INFO

The actual company name is Kaiser Permanente. It was founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney Garfield. Kaiser Permanente has approximately 220,000 employees as of 2023. Its official websites are kaiserpermanente.org and kp.org. The company operates in the healthcare industry. Kaiser Permanente is an American integrated managed care consortium that provides high-quality, affordable health care services through its network of hospitals, medical offices, and physicians. It serves over 12 million members across multiple states, focusing on preventive care and efficient healthcare delivery. (Wikipedia, Kaiser Permanente Fast Facts)

7 Key Kaiser Permanente Executives

Kaiser Permanente is a leading American integrated managed care consortium, founded in 1945, that delivers high-quality, affordable healthcare services through its extensive network of hospitals, medical offices, and physicians. Serving more than 12 million members, Kaiser Permanente is recognized for its focus on preventive care, efficient healthcare delivery, and innovative care models.

The Kaiser Permanente leadership team brings together a diverse array of healthcare, operational, financial, and technical expertise. Collectively, Kaiser Permanente executives have backgrounds spanning hospital administration, technology strategy, quality improvement, and community health, playing pivotal roles in the organization's ability to innovate and deliver exceptional, patient-centered care on a national scale. This dynamic management team drives Kaiser Permanente's mission to provide accessible, efficient, and affordable healthcare, building on the vision developed by its founders, Henry J. Kaiser and Sidney R. Garfield.

Key Executives

Colleen McKeown - Retired CEO Senior Vice President

Colleen McKeown served as Senior Vice President and CEO Hospital/Health Plan at Kaiser Permanente for 16 years, where she led the Diablo Service Area, managing two hospitals, seven medical office operations, hospice, and home health functions for over 411,000 members. During her time with Kaiser Permanente executives, Colleen was instrumental in achieving high operational performance and delivering sustainable results across integrated healthcare delivery systems, leaving a lasting impact on the organization's growth and patient service excellence.

Colleen McKeown holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco. As a registered nurse with an active license and over 25 years in hospital operations leadership, her broad experience in chief operating and chief nursing roles at Kaiser Permanente shaped her focus on quality, efficiency, and innovation in healthcare management.

Laura Gallardo - COO

Laura Gallardo has been the Chief Operating Officer at Kaiser Permanente since 2019, responsible for hospital and health plan operations in the Greater Los Angeles Area. She oversees public affairs and ancillary services, driving operational efficiencies and supporting care delivery improvements that contribute to Kaiser Permanente’s reputation for healthcare innovation and excellence.

A graduate of the University of Phoenix with a Master of Health Administration, Laura has dedicated over 20 years to Kaiser Permanente, holding leadership roles such as Hospital/Health Plan Assistant Administrator and Managing Director of Public Affairs and Ancillary Services. She began her career in account supervision at Porter Novelli before her rise through the ranks within the Kaiser Permanente management team.

Desiree Gandrup-Dupre - Sr. Vice President, Care Delivery Technology Services

Desiree Gandrup-Dupre leads Care Delivery Technology Services at Kaiser Permanente, setting the strategic direction for IT across pharmacy, telehealth, EMR, laboratory, imaging, and clinical call centers. Desiree has shaped innovation and technological integration by developing scalable frameworks, launching a 5-year strategic roadmap, and utilizing AI/ML technologies to bolster operational efficiency and competitive advantage.

With over four years in this key IT leadership role and responsibility for managing 2,000+ professionals and a $1 billion budget, Desiree brings deep experience in healthcare technology, innovation, and strategic operations to the Kaiser Permanente executives team.

Yakesun Wing - Managing Director, Cost Transformation

Yakesun Wing spearheaded National Financial Planning & Analysis and Cost Transformation projects at Kaiser Permanente, providing financial leadership across all regions. Her focus on cost efficiency and strategy supports sustainable healthcare delivery and operational agility, directly impacting the organization’s financial health.

Yakesun holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BS from the University of Leeds. Over her decade-long tenure at Kaiser Permanente, she has held various finance roles, progressing from Area Finance Officer to senior managing director, cementing her expertise as a driving force in the company’s strategic finance operations.

Michael H. Kanter, M.D. - Professor and Chair, Department of Clinical Sciences, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

Dr. Michael H. Kanter oversees the academic and clinical activities at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, ensuring curriculum aligns with the organization’s values and mission. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Quality Officer for the Permanente Federation, leading national quality programs to continually improve care outcomes.

Dr. Kanter earned his MD from UCSF and his BS from UCLA. With over 40 years of healthcare experience, he’s recognized as a national leader in quality and safety, having authored more than 90 articles and played a significant role in advancing the standards of clinical excellence within Kaiser Permanente leadership.

John Vu - Vice President, Strategy

John Vu directs strategy development and implementation to advance Kaiser Permanente’s mission of improving community health, with a particular focus on the social determinants of health and aligning priorities for low-income populations. His strategic oversight builds crucial partnerships and community initiatives that extend the organization’s impact beyond clinical settings.

John has nearly two decades with Kaiser Permanente, is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Executive Leadership Program, and is widely recognized for his influence on community benefit strategy and health policy within the broader healthcare sector.

Sue Hennessy - Vice President: Health Plan Services

Sue Hennessy is responsible for overseeing health plan services at Kaiser Permanente, maintaining a commitment to operational excellence and superior service delivery for members. Her contributions bolster the effectiveness of health plan operations, supporting positive health outcomes and member satisfaction.

Sue’s extensive background in health plan services leadership at Kaiser Permanente demonstrates her dedication to the organization’s mission, although detailed information on her prior roles and education remains limited in public disclosures.

Company Leadership

Kaiser Permanente’s leadership team is composed of accomplished executives with deep expertise in healthcare operations, technology, finance, clinical quality, and community health. This collaborative management structure enables the company to excel in delivering innovative, value-based care and advances Kaiser Permanente’s role as a national model in the healthcare industry. The company’s visionary founders, Henry J. Kaiser and Sidney R. Garfield, established a legacy of leadership that continues to thrive through the skill and dedication of present-day Kaiser Permanente executives.

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Kaiser Permanente Executive Team & Leadership Profiles