John Kao

Chairman and CEO at Alignment Health

Orange, California, United States

About

John Kao is the Chairman and CEO of Alignment Health, where he leads a mission to make senior care simpler, more personal and more accountable. He founded Alignment after seeing how inconsistent and impersonal the healthcare experience could be for older adults, and believing deeply that seniors deserve better. Today, Alignment is recognized as one of the industry’s most innovative Medicare Advantage companies, bringing together technology, clinical expertise and compassionate service to support its rapidly growing membership. John has spent his career building organizations that improve care and expand access. Before founding Alignment, he served as president of CareMore Medical Enterprises, helping scale one of the nation’s earliest population health models and guiding the company through significant growth and its acquisition by WellPoint. His earlier leadership roles span healthcare delivery, insurance and technology, including senior positions at The TriZetto Group and PacifiCare Health Systems. John serves on the Board of Directors of AHIP and the Board of Advisors at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He was named Founder of the Year by LA Times Studios in 2025, and under his leadership, Alignment has been recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies and one of Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University and an MBA from UCLA Anderson, where he was honored as a Venture Capital Fellow.

Experience

  • Chairman and CEO at Alignment Health
    2013 - Present · 13 yrs 6 mos

    Founded Alignment Health to build a senior first, technology enabled model that delivers consistent, coordinated and accountable care through aligned incentives and a highly experienced leadership team. During his tenure, Alignment has been named to the 2026 Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies list and consistently recognized as one of Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Companies.

  • Board Member at AHIP
    2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Member of the Board of Advisors at UCLA Anderson School of Management
    2022 - Present · 4 yrs 6 mos

  • President at CareMore Medical Enterprises, Inc. (MSO Division)
    2006 - 2011 · 5 yrs

    Led the development and expansion of CareMore’s population health model during a period of significant growth and innovation in coordinated senior care.

  • Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at TriZetto Group
    2002 - 2006 · 4 yrs

    Oversaw enterprise growth, product strategy, and market development for a leading healthcare technology company serving health plans nationwide.