Alison Richards is CEO of Surest, which is redesigning how health plans work by creating a consumer-centric, intuitive experience through the elimination of deductibles, offering clear costs in advance of treatment and lowering the total cost of care for employers and employees. In this role, Richards oversees a team helping serve employers of various sizes across the country, including organizations with fully insured and self-funded plans. Surest, previously Bind, is part of UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health plan.

Prior to her current role, Richards served as the COO for UnitedHealthcare National Accounts. She was responsible for helping set the strategic direction and managing the performance of high-quality, affordable, long-term health care solutions for UnitedHealthcare’s largest clients, including more than 500 employers and 9.5 million members nationwide.

Richards has over 25 years of health care experience and is recognized as a transformational leader who has pioneered new products, created growth strategies for clients, and is credited for her ability to identify and mentor emerging executives. Prior to joining UnitedHealthcare in 1998, she held leadership positions in operations, sales, provider relations and marketing for Sutter Health, a leading hospital and provider group in California.