Highmark Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Highmark has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, human resources, diversified business growth, government market expansion, administrative coordination, technology infrastructure, corporate communications, and organizational leadership.

Committed to advancing community wellness, Highmark delivers comprehensive health insurance solutions and administrative services across the United States while maintaining a focus on accessible, high-quality care for diverse patient populations.

Leadership Roles at Highmark

  • Chief Executive Officer - Trent Dean
  • Chief Financial Officer - Elise Ballard
  • Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Neil Reece
  • Chief Financial Officer, Government Markets - Caleb Knier
  • Chief Operating Officer - Heather Cianfrocco
  • Chief of Staff & President, Office of - Manda Sanders
  • President - Jason Landers
  • Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Allegheny Health Network & Enterprise Human Resources, Highmark Health - Marcia Oglan
  • Chief Technology Officer, Provider Services - Paul Sikora
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer - Dan Laurent
  • Trent Dean - Chief Executive Officer

    Trent Dean, the Chief Executive Officer at Highmark, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Overseeing the integration of insurance products and clinical services, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the mission to provide accessible healthcare across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. This leadership role involves managing complex relationships with institutional providers and physicians to optimize claims adjudication processes. By fostering innovation in managed care, Trent Dean drives long-term growth and operational stability. The Chief Executive Officer maintains constant engagement with the Board to refine market positioning and expand the reach of indemnity and supplemental insurance offerings. Through rigorous oversight of for-profit subsidiaries and not-for-profit operations, the Chief Executive Officer secures the financial health of the enterprise while delivering value to individual and regional accounts.
    Trent Dean

    Elise Ballard - Chief Financial Officer

    Elise Ballard, the Chief Financial Officer at Highmark, manages the fiscal integrity and capital allocation strategies for the entire organization. Overseeing financial reporting, risk assessment, and budgetary planning, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains robust reserves to support indemnity and managed care products. This role involves coordinating with regional account managers to optimize revenue streams and control administrative costs associated with claims adjudication. Elise Ballard directs the financial modeling required for Medicare supplemental, dental, and vision insurance portfolios. By analyzing market trends across the mid-Atlantic region, the Chief Financial Officer provides critical insights that inform investment decisions and long-term sustainability. The Chief Financial Officer works closely with the executive team to balance the needs of not-for-profit operations with the performance requirements of for-profit subsidiaries, ultimately strengthening the fiscal foundation of the company.

    Neil Reece - Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Neil Reece, the Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Highmark, manages the financial performance of the company's for-profit subsidiaries and specialized business units. Overseeing the revenue growth and cost management of these diversified segments, the Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that these entities contribute effectively to the overall financial health of the organization. This role involves analyzing market opportunities for dental, vision, and long-term care insurance products to maximize profitability. Neil Reece directs the financial planning and analysis for these specific business lines, providing the executive team with actionable data to guide strategic expansion. By optimizing the performance of diversified assets, the Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the broader mission of the company. The Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer maintains rigorous oversight of fiscal compliance and operational efficiency within these specialized portfolios.
    Neil Reece

    Caleb Knier - Chief Financial Officer, Government Markets

    Caleb Knier, the Chief Financial Officer, Government Markets at Highmark, directs the financial strategy for Medicare contract administration and government-sponsored health programs. Overseeing the complex financial requirements of Medicare supplemental products, the Chief Financial Officer, Government Markets ensures compliance with federal and state regulations while maintaining fiscal sustainability. This role involves managing the budgetary aspects of claims adjudication for government-funded healthcare services across the company's service footprint. Caleb Knier directs the financial forecasting and risk management efforts specifically tailored to the government markets segment. By monitoring the performance of these critical programs, the Chief Financial Officer, Government Markets provides the insights necessary to sustain high-quality care for vulnerable populations. The Chief Financial Officer, Government Markets collaborates with internal stakeholders to ensure that government-facing operations remain both efficient and financially viable, supporting the company's commitment to public health initiatives.

    Heather Cianfrocco - Chief Operating Officer

    Heather Cianfrocco, the Chief Operating Officer at Highmark, executes the daily operational workflows that support the delivery of health insurance and administrative services. Overseeing the efficiency of claims processing and provider network management, the Chief Operating Officer ensures seamless interactions between hospitals, physicians, and the insurance infrastructure. This role involves scaling operational capacity to meet the demands of national and regional accounts across the company's primary service areas. Heather Cianfrocco directs the implementation of standardized administrative protocols to improve service delivery for Medicare contract administration. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer enhances the overall member experience and reduces operational friction. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates with technology and clinical leaders to integrate new care models, ensuring that the organization remains agile in a competitive insurance landscape while maintaining high standards of service excellence.

    Manda Sanders - Chief of Staff & President, Office of

    Manda Sanders, the Chief of Staff & President, Office of at Highmark, coordinates the strategic priorities and administrative functions of the executive office. Overseeing the flow of information and decision-making processes, the Chief of Staff & President, Office of ensures that the leadership team remains aligned on key organizational goals. This role involves managing high-level projects that span across insurance operations and clinical services. Manda Sanders directs the communication between the executive office and various departments to facilitate rapid response to market changes. By streamlining the administrative burden on the leadership team, the Chief of Staff & President, Office of enables the organization to focus on its core mission of providing comprehensive health insurance. The Chief of Staff & President, Office of maintains a broad view of the company's operations, ensuring that strategic initiatives are executed with precision and that the executive office functions as a cohesive unit.

    Jason Landers - President

    Jason Landers, the President at Highmark, leads the execution of the company's core business strategies and operational objectives. Overseeing the day-to-day management of insurance products and administrative services, the President ensures that the organization meets the needs of national and regional accounts. This role involves driving growth initiatives and maintaining the quality of service for individual accounts. Jason Landers directs the coordination between various departments to ensure that the company's health insurance offerings remain competitive and responsive to market demands. By fostering operational excellence, the President supports the long-term sustainability of the organization. The President collaborates with other C-suite leaders to refine the company's strategic direction and ensure that all business units are aligned with the mission of providing comprehensive healthcare solutions. Jason Landers maintains a focus on delivering value to members and institutional providers across the company's service areas.

    Marcia Oglan - Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Allegheny Health Network & Enterprise Human Resources, Highmark Health

    Marcia Oglan, the Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Allegheny Health Network & Enterprise Human Resources, Highmark Health at Highmark, architects the talent strategy and organizational culture for the enterprise. Overseeing workforce development, recruitment, and employee engagement, the Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Allegheny Health Network & Enterprise Human Resources, Highmark Health ensures the company attracts and retains top-tier professionals capable of supporting complex healthcare operations. This role involves aligning human capital initiatives with the broader mission of providing high-quality care across the Allegheny Health Network. Marcia Oglan directs the implementation of enterprise-wide training programs that emphasize clinical excellence and administrative efficiency. By fostering a culture of innovation and accountability, the Chief Human Resources Officer & Senior VP, Allegheny Health Network & Enterprise Human Resources, Highmark Health supports the long-term growth of the organization and ensures that staff remain equipped to handle the evolving needs of the healthcare market.

    Paul Sikora - Chief Technology Officer, Provider Services

    Paul Sikora, the Chief Technology Officer, Provider Services at Highmark, architects the digital infrastructure that supports provider interactions and claims processing. Overseeing the development and maintenance of health information systems, the Chief Technology Officer, Provider Services ensures that hospitals and physicians have access to reliable, secure platforms for administrative services. This role involves integrating advanced data analytics to improve the accuracy of claims adjudication and patient care coordination. Paul Sikora directs the implementation of technology solutions that enhance the interoperability of health insurance products across the company's regional network. By driving digital transformation, the Chief Technology Officer, Provider Services enables the organization to scale its operations and improve service delivery. The Chief Technology Officer, Provider Services collaborates with clinical and operational leaders to ensure that technology investments directly support the company's mission of providing accessible and efficient healthcare services.

    Dan Laurent - Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer

    Dan Laurent, the Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Highmark, manages the reputation and public messaging of the organization. Overseeing internal and external communications, the Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer ensures that the company's mission and values are clearly articulated to members, providers, and the public. This role involves developing strategic communication plans that highlight the company's impact on community health and its role as a leading health insurer. Dan Laurent directs the messaging for new insurance products and administrative service updates, ensuring consistency across all channels. By managing media relations and corporate branding, the Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer strengthens the company's market position. The Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer works closely with the executive team to address public concerns and promote the organization's commitment to high-quality, accessible care throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Highmark Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Highmark?
    Highmark is led by Trent Dean (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Elise Ballard (Chief Financial Officer) and Neil Reece (Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Highmark’s executive team?
    The executive team of Highmark includes leaders such as Trent Dean (Chief Executive Officer), Elise Ballard (Chief Financial Officer), Neil Reece (Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Highmark have?
    Highmark has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Highmark’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Highmark includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Diversified Businesses Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Government Markets, Chief Operating Officer.