At American Healthcare Leader, we shine a light on the visionaries and experts shaping the future of health in a highly regulated, ever-evolving field.
This month, we’re showcasing eight healthcare executives to watch as they drive innovation in pharmacy, technology, and HR.
Do you know a leader who should be part of the American Healthcare Leader network? Introduce us.
Joseph DiCarlo
Chief People and Administrative Officer
Clarest Health
Joseph DiCarlo has played a pivotal role in unifying four merged companies into a single, people-first organization by aligning HR strategy with business goals across forty states. Passionate about emotional intelligence and culture as true drivers of performance, DiCarlo focuses on building talent density, reducing turnover, and fostering leadership that adapts to and elevates those around it.
Connect with Joseph DiCarlo on LinkedIn.
Laura Cedro
Director of Pharmacy Operations
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Laura Cedro brings a collaborative, public health-driven approach to leading a 150-person pharmacy team through major digital and operational transformations. From spearheading a pharmacy renovation to guiding a post-EPIC launch stabilization, Cedro blends informatics, humble leadership, and global health advocacy to build systems—and people—that thrive.
Connect with Laura Cedro on LinkedIn.
Ganesh Persad
Corporate Director of Digital Applications & Patient Experience
Emory Healthcare
Ganesh Persad is redefining the patient journey through innovations like virtual nursing, smart room technology, and the “MyEmoryHealth” app. With a hands-on, mentorship-driven leadership style, he guides a growing team in delivering seamless, tech-enabled care that enhances every touchpoint across the healthcare experience.
Connect with Ganesh Persad on LinkedIn.
Dan Exley
Interim Chief Information & Innovation Officer
Sharp Healthcare
Dan Exley is guiding San Diego’s largest healthcare provider through a digital transformation—one that prioritizes patient empowerment, provider efficiency, and responsible AI integration. With a leadership style grounded in humility and curiosity, Exley blends tech innovation with a deep personal commitment to service, shaped by years as a foster and adoptive parent.
Connect with Dan Exley on LinkedIn.
Are you driving pharmacy innovation at your organization? Introduce yourself! We’d love to meet you!
William Black
Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer
Boston Children’s Hospital
William Black is leading efforts to modernize and streamline pharmacy operations by rebuilding care models, enhancing service lines, and freeing up pharmacists’ time for clinical care. With a leadership style rooted in curiosity and trust, Black aims to strike the right balance between pediatric-centered care and the efficiency of adult medicine.
Connect with William Black on LinkedIn.
Keith Kato
Founding Partner
Adareus
Keith Kato, former biotech VP and now cofounder of the mission-driven consultancy Adareus, earned a reputation for people-first leadership after launching pandemic testing programs and an Integrated Management System that cut manufacturing deviations by 30 percent. Today he channels that operational excellence into helping life-science companies improve performance, manage change, and grow resilient leaders.
Connect with Keith Kato on LinkedIn.
Josh Otten
Associate VP, CTO
Adventist Healthcare
Josh Otten is driving the future of hospital tech through initiatives like ambient documentation, patient room cameras, and virtual nursing programs—all designed to enhance care and ease clinician workload. As chair of the AI governance committee, he champions responsible innovation, blending frontline leadership with a deep commitment to patient experience and technological integrity.
Connect with Josh Otten on LinkedIn.
Carlos Cabrera
Senior Director, Talent Acquisition
MetroPlus Health Plan
With twenty years of healthcare recruitment experience, Carlos Cabrera has built MetroPlus Health Plan’s talent acquisition team from the ground up—improving candidate experience, promoting from within, and shaping a culture grounded in empathy and connection. He leads with openness, passion, and a people-first mindset, proving that great hiring starts with heart.
Connect with Carlos Cabrera on LinkedIn.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. View our AI Standards here.
