The Sanger Leadership Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Nelson (MBA/MHSA ’88) to the Sanger Advisory Board. Executive vice president of CVS Health and president of Aetna, Nelson brings decades of leadership experience across healthcare, health services administration, and managed care organizations.
Nelson has held executive leadership roles across several of the nation’s leading healthcare organizations. Prior to his current role at CVS Health and Aetna, he served as chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare, where he led the organization’s Commercial and Government businesses and drove significant improvements in growth, culture, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. Most recently, he served as chief executive officer of ChenMed, a value-based primary care company focused on improving healthcare outcomes for underserved populations.
A Michigan Ross alumnus, Nelson earned both his MBA and master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Michigan in 1988. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to developing principled, people-centered leadership in healthcare and beyond.
Reflecting on his decision to join the Sanger Advisory Board, Nelson shared:
“I chose to join the Sanger Advisory Board because developing strong, values-driven leaders—especially in healthcare—has been a constant priority throughout my career. Healthcare demands leaders who can navigate complexity, care deeply about people, and make decisions that have real consequences for communities. I’m committed to helping professionals grow the judgment, confidence, and empathy required to lead in these environments.”
Nelson also shared:
“Sanger’s practical, experience-based approach to leadership development strongly aligns with how I believe leaders are shaped—through reflection, challenge, and real-world application. I’m honored to join the Advisory Board and support students as they grow into leaders who make a lasting, positive impact.”
Sanger’s Managing Director, Michelle Austin, commented, “Steve brings an extraordinary depth of leadership experience across some of the nation’s most complex healthcare organizations. His commitment to values-driven leadership and developing people-centered cultures will be an incredible asset to Sanger and to the students we serve.”
Nelson joins a diverse group of accomplished professionals who help guide Sanger’s mission to develop the next generation of leaders. The Advisory Board provides strategic insight, supports fundraising efforts, and fosters corporate and alumni connections, with members contributing their expertise through bi-annual board meetings and engagement across Sanger programs.