Pittsburgh – October 07, 2026 -- Highmark Health's Board of Directors has appointed Karen Hanlon as chief executive officer and president, effective Jan. 1, 2027, making her the first female CEO in the organization's history. David Holmberg, who has led the Pittsburgh-based health system since 2014, will transition to executive chairman to oversee the leadership handover.
Hanlon inherits an enterprise that has doubled in size under the outgoing CEO
Highmark Health's revenue grew from approximately $17 billion in 2014 to a projected $35 billion by the end of 2026 during Holmberg's 12-year tenure. Hanlon, currently president, will take full responsibility for strategy, operations and growth across the organization's health plans, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and diversified businesses.
Incoming CEO built a three-decade finance and operations track record at the company
Hanlon joined Highmark in 1997 after starting her career at KPMG, rising through finance roles before being named chief financial officer in 2014, chief operating officer in 2018 and president in 2025. She led affiliations with health plans in five additional states, including integrations with New York-based Health Now and Kansas City-based Blue KC, and oversaw the acquisition of Gateway Health, rebranded as Highmark Wholecare, which added Medicaid products to the company's portfolio.
Hanlon directed AHN's first $1 billion tax-exempt bond financing
The financing was structured to stabilize AHN's long-term capital structure and support system growth. Her leadership has drawn industry recognition, including placement on the Pittsburgh Business Times' Power 100 list in 2024 and 2026, Modern Healthcare's Top Women Leaders in 2024, the Pittsburgh Business Times' C-Suite Awards in 2023, and CFO of the Year in 2018.
Board chair cites continuity as Holmberg stays on in advisory capacity
"The Board has tremendous confidence in Karen's ability to lead the organization into its next chapter while continuing to advance our Living Health strategy,