Krista Nelson

Krista Nelson

Chief Executive Officer

Krista is chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare Community & State, which offers diversified health care benefit products and services for people who are economically disadvantaged, medically underserved and without access to employer-funded health care coverage.

 

Prior to her current role, Krista was chief operating officer for UnitedHealthcare, where she led global operations performance and experience. She oversaw a team of more than 50,000 domestic and global professionals across multiple business areas at UnitedHealthcare, improving the experience for clients, consumers, providers and employees. 

 

Previously, Krista was chief growth and experience officer for UnitedHealthcare, where she led strategy, growth and digital across all four lines of business – commercial, Medicare, Medicaid and global – and accelerated the company’s focus on key stakeholders.

 

Krista was also chief executive officer for our Individual and Family Plan (IFP) business, where she successfully led our re-entry into the individual exchange market across 18 states. She’s also been instrumental in growing our social determinants of health and health equity strategies. 

 

Krista joined UnitedHealth Group in 2009 and has held a variety of leadership roles within the company in strategy, experience, innovation, product development and growth. 

 

Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Krista worked at Deloitte Consulting in Strategy & Operations. She earned her MBA from the University of St. Thomas and received a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

Craig Anderson

Craig Anderson

Regional President, National Network Strategy

Craig Anderson serves as the Regional President of National Network Strategy for UnitedHealthcare Community & State. In this role, Craig oversees all aspects of network strategy, including ensuring our comprehensive provider network meets our state customers’ requirements and is tailored to the unique needs of our members. Additionally, Craig develops strategies and solutions to bring enhanced quality and efficiency to the health care system.

Jennifer Dukart

Jennifer Dukart

General Counsel

Jennifer Dukart leads the Legal team at UnitedHealthcare Community & State. In this role, Jennifer serves as an advisor and counselor on national strategy and growth initiatives as well as legal and regulatory issues. Prior to this role, Jennifer served on the affirmative litigation and clinical legal teams at UnitedHealthcare. Before joining UnitedHealthcare, Jennifer was a litigator in private practice and at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and was a Registered Nurse.

Paul Hansen

Paul Hansen

Chief Financial Officer

Paul Hansen is the chief financial officer of UnitedHealthcare Community & State (C&S).  Paul is responsible for providing strategic direction, developing and sponsoring financial objectives, and ensuring established financial targets are achieved for the business segment. This role also supports UHC’s financial objectives and accurately monitors and reports progress to the executive team.

 

Prior to his current role, Paul was the corporate controller for UnitedHealthcare. In this role, Paul was responsible for the company’s accounting processes, controls, policies and financial data, including internal and external reporting of financial results, audit coordination, compliance with regulatory requirements, and consolidation of segment financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and analysis.

 

Before moving to UnitedHealthcare, Paul was the vice president of finance for OptumHealth from 2007 to 2010, responsible for financial planning and analysis. From 2006 to 2007, Paul was the controller of the Care Solutions business and was the chief financial officer for the Physical Health Solutions business from 2004 to 2006.  From 2002 to 2004, Paul served as the director of operations within OptumInsight responsible for the segment’s operational and strategic planning. 

 

Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Paul was a manager with the public accounting firms of Arthur Andersen and Deloitte in their Minneapolis offices. Paul has a B.S.B. in Accounting from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management and holds an inactive CPA certificate.

 

 

Paul currently serves as the Chairman of Plymouth Covenant Church’s financial and operational board and serves on the board of Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, which is a non-profit social service organization in Minneapolis.

Kate Paris

Kate Paris

Vice President, Policy and Influence

Kate Paris is the Vice President of Advocacy, Marketing & Policy at UnitedHealthcare Community & State. Kate is responsible for shaping and advocating for policy agendas as well as positioning Community & State as a trusted thought leader and partner with federal, state, and local health and social programs. Kate has extensive experience in health and public policy and is passionate about improving systems and programs to ensure fair and equitable access to care for the individuals, families and communities these systems serve. She currently serves as the Chair of the Medicaid Health Plans of America policy committee and sits on the board of SNP Alliance. Prior to joining UnitedHealthcare in 2012, Kate had a variety of professional roles that focused on policy, economic development and rural communities. Her work within the agricultural sector to support local food, food processing and renewable energy built a strong foundation and understanding of the connection between food, health and the policies that shape both. Kate has spent time in the non-profit sector and within the administrative and executive branches of state government. Kate received her Masters of Public Administration from the University of North Dakota and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Morris. 

 

Learn more about Kate in this Video Spotlight.

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