Neil Cowles

Neil Cowles is senior vice president and chief technology officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

Cowles is a dynamic, solutions-oriented business and information technology leader who is committed to Kaiser Permanente’s 12.5 million members and the communities we serve.

In his role, he is responsible for creating and executing a clear technology vision for the organization and ensuring the day-to-day management of corporate services. He is accountable for fortifying and safeguarding financial and member data, simplifying platforms and technologies, and innovating to deliver impactful solutions.

Cowles joined Kaiser Permanente in 2012 and served in cross-functional IT leadership roles as he helped the organization navigate through industry disruption and changing market conditions. He effectively managed the business function’s investment portfolio and introduced new ways of working that have accelerated innovation and value creation at Kaiser Permanente.

He began his career as a clinically trained health care professional in the United Kingdom and Australia. He expanded on his dedication to helping people by applying his technical expertise and vision to global IT leadership positions at large private, public, and start-up companies including Shared Medical Systems, Torex Health, Oracle Corporation, Siemens AG, National Health Service, and an open-source storage service provider for health care data (as co-founder, president, and CEO).

Cowles has experience building data centers, driving technology strategy, deploying IT solutions, and leading acquisitions and mergers. He has helped develop and lead organizations to address consumer problems, achieve world-class solutions, grow revenue, and compete effectively.

In addition to being highly regarded as a leader and entrepreneur in health care IT, Cowles is recognized for managing, mentoring, and coaching high-performance individuals and teams. He has a passion for inspiring people to be their best, and he has enthusiasm for executive development. He has designed early career programs to equip high school and junior college graduates with technical and professional skills to become productive and engaged members of the workforce.

With a holistic focus on health and wellness, Cowles and his family have embarked on a small urban homesteading program to produce part of their household's food in an environmentally conscious manner. As a sports enthusiast, Cowles regularly plays golf and pickleball, and bikes.