MORNING SPEAKER

Karen Ignani

As President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Karen Ignagni is the voice of health insurance plans, representing members that provide health care, long-term care, dental and disability benefits to more than 200 million Americans.

Karen joined the organization as its Chief Executive in 1993.  From there she led two mergers with other organizations to form AHIP in 2003, making AHIP the leading voice for the health plan community in America.

Ms. Ignagni has won many accolades for her leadership.  The New York Times wrote, “In a city teaming with health care lobbyists, Ms. Ignagni is widely considered one of the most effective. She blends a detailed knowledge of health policy with an intuitive feel for politics.” Fortune described the political program Ms. Ignagni spearheaded as “worthy of a presidential election bid.” 

Ms. Ignagni regularly testifies before Congress on key federal legislation. In recent years, she has appeared before Senate and House committees on matters ranging from health insurance plans’ role in homeland security to Medicare reform to patient protection issues and access to health care coverage issues.

Prior to 1993, Ms. Ignagni directed the AFL-CIO’s Department of Employee Benefits.  In the 1980s, she was a Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, preceded by work at the Committee for National Health Insurance and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

AFTERNOON SPEAKER

Bernard J. Tyson

Bernard J. Tyson is president and chief operating officer of Kaiser Permanente, one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans with annual operating revenue of nearly $50 billion. Often referred to as the model for the future of health care, Kaiser Permanente serves approximately 9 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia.

Tyson is responsible for the organization’s operations and works with his team of senior leaders to oversee all the functions of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. Under his leadership is a workforce of 172,000 employees (95,000 of whom are in a unique Labor Management Partnership). Tyson and his team partner with the Permanente Medical Group to deliver on the mission of delivering high quality health care for members and our communities.

Over his 30-year career, Tyson has developed a great understanding of the health care industry and the inner workings of Kaiser Permanente. For 28 years, he has served as a respected leader in all areas of the organization, from running individual hospitals to his leadership of the groundbreaking branding effort that resulted in Kaiser Permanente’s award-winning Thrive advertising campaign. 

Tyson has both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in health care from Golden Gate University. He also earned an advanced leadership certificate from Harvard University.

Tyson is chair of The Executive Leadership Council, a respected organization that provides more than 450 African-American executives of major U.S. companies with a professional network and forum to offer perspective and direction on business and public policy issues. He also serves on the board of directors of Occidental College and the American Heart Association.

Tyson has been recognized for his work both within and outside of health care. He was named one of the most powerful minorities in health care by Modern Healthcare in 2010.