Diane Comer

Diane Comer is executive vice president and chief information and technology officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals. In this role, Comer is responsible for the ongoing leadership of Kaiser Permanente’s information technology vision, strategy, and execution.

As CITO, Comer leads a team of more than 7,000 employees and contractors, designing and implementing technical solutions that deliver on Kaiser Permanente’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable care.

She reports directly to Kaiser Permanente’s chair and chief executive officer and is a member of the National Executive Team and the CEO Executive Committee.

Comer is passionate about introducing technologies and business solutions that support an improved clinical and consumer health care experience. This includes advances in electronic health records, telehealth, remote patient monitoring, automation and predictive capabilities, and cybersecurity. With Kaiser Permanente's integrated care delivery system, these innovations benefit the individual patient while impacting the broader community with value-based care.

Comer has built a reputation for leading transformational technology programs across Kaiser Permanente. She was at the forefront of Kaiser Permanente’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, deploying technologies to provide continuous, safe, and secure support for members, physicians, and employees. She also led the implementation of the technology systems needed to support the requirements of the Affordable Care Act and the facilitation of health insurance exchanges for Kaiser Permanente. She oversaw the delivery of a telephony system that supports a million calls a month to multiple contact centers. Comer has long prioritized leader and staff development, as a highly skilled and innovative workforce is paramount to a successful digital strategy.

Comer’s leadership has earned Kaiser Permanente numerous accolades, including CIO 100 IT innovation awards (2015 to 2020, 2023), a WEBBY Best of the Internet Award (2022), and a Fast Company Innovation by Design Award (2022), as well as rankings on the Healthcare Internet Hall of Fame (2021), Forrester’s US Health Insurers Customer Experience Index (2021), and Computerworld’s listing of Best Places to Work in IT (2010 to 2023). Comer was named one of the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business by the San Francisco Business Times (2022) and the Top 100 Women Leaders in Technology by Women We Admire (2021). Becker's Hospital Review has recognized Comer among the Women Power Players in Health IT (2022), Women in Health IT to Know (2023), and CIOs to Know (2021, 2023).

Comer previously led Health Plan Technology Services at Kaiser Permanente. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente in 2007, she held positions at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, including chief technology officer.

Comer holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Additionally, Comer has attended executive leadership programs at the Wharton School and Harvard University.