UnitedHealth Will Appoint First Chief Administrative Officer

Jodee Kozlak will assume the new role on September 28, 2026, as part of a broader executive branch overhaul.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Healthcare

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UnitedHealth Group has named Jodee Kozlak as its first chief administrative officer, a key appointment within a broader executive restructuring effort effective September 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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UnitedHealth will appoint Jodee Kozlak as its first chief administrative officer effective September 28, 2026. This leadership change coincides with the appointments of Dan Kueter as chief commercial officer and Brandon Cuevas as commercial CEO.

Why it matters

The company is overhauling its executive branch to drive operational improvements and address recent financial and public relations crises. The new role aims to modernize and align internal functions across UnitedHealth's various business units.

UnitedHealth generated $12.1 billion in profit on $448 billion in revenue last year. The firm maintains its status as the largest private insurance company operating in the United States.

The players

Jodee Kozlak

She is a former executive at Target and Alibaba who will become the first chief administrative officer for UnitedHealth.

Stephen Hemsley

He serves as the CEO of UnitedHealth and is leading the current organizational restructuring effort.

Dan Kueter

He has been appointed as the new chief commercial officer for UnitedHealth.

Brandon Cuevas

He will serve as the new commercial CEO of UnitedHealthcare.

The details

Jodee Kozlak will oversee a portfolio that includes human resources, real estate, procurement, and corporate security. Her appointment is part of a larger strategy to initiate internal reviews following a turbulent period for the organization.

Timeline

  1. Jodee Kozlak worked as the chief human resources officer at Target from 2004 to 2015.

  2. Kozlak served as a senior vice president at Alibaba between 2016 and 2017.

  3. A top UnitedHealth payer executive was killed in late 2024.

  4. Stephen Hemsley assumed the role of CEO at UnitedHealth in spring 2026.

  5. Jodee Kozlak officially begins her term as chief administrative officer on Sept. 28, 2026.

Market Landscape

The company's management shift follows the late 2024 killing of a top UnitedHealth payer executive, which created a period of significant institutional instability. This executive overhaul seeks to stabilize operations and restore confidence among stakeholders.

These administrative changes focus on internal operational restructuring rather than immediate shifts to insurance premiums or policy coverage. Customers should not expect immediate changes to their health plans or customer service accessibility.

The takeaway

The appointment of a chief administrative officer suggests that UnitedHealth is prioritizing a long-term modernization of its internal business infrastructure. This strategy indicates a shift toward more centralized control of non-clinical business operations under new leadership.

Further reading

For additional context on the sector, visit the Healthcare industry page.

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