Shaun Smith named executive vice president and chief people officer

OAKLAND, Calif. — Shaun Smith is joining Kaiser Permanente as executive vice president and chief people officer of Kaiser Permanente, effective October 12. In this role, Smith will lead Kaiser Permanente’s enterprise human resources strategy and operations, with a focus on attracting, developing, and supporting the people who make the organization’s mission possible.

Smith will help strengthen talent development so employees can grow and build their careers at Kaiser Permanente. He will also help lead the organization’s multiyear work to strengthen its culture and make Kaiser Permanente an even better place to work.

“Shaun brings deep expertise in labor relations, organizational transformation, talent strategy, and culture,” said Greg A. Adams, chair and chief executive officer of Kaiser Permanente. “His leadership will help us continue to invest in our people, strengthen career and development opportunities across the enterprise, and foster a culture where employees can do their best work in service to our members, patients, and communities.”

Smith will report to Adams for enterprise people strategy and enterprisewide responsibilities, and to Craig T. Albanese, MD, president, Integrated Care and Coverage, for day-to-day operational leadership of Kaiser Permanente’s people, people strategy, labor strategy, and labor relationships. The structure reflects the importance of both a strong enterprise people strategy and a close connection between Kaiser Permanente’s workforce and the delivery of care.

Smith brings more than 25 years of human resources leadership in academic health systems. He joins Kaiser Permanente from NewYork-Presbyterian, where he served as group senior vice president and chief people and culture officer. He holds a law degree and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pace University.