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David S. Wichmann

David S. Wichmann is an American business executive, Co-Founder of Jory Capital, and former CEO of UnitedHealth Group.
David S. Wichmann
Nationality
American
Residence
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Occupation
Business Executive, Co-Founder, and Board Member
Companies
Known for
Leading UnitedHealth Group as CEO, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency.
Accolades
UnitedHealth Group is listed on Fortune’s Top 50 World’s Most Admired Companies, leadership through COVID-19
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Illinois State University
Social Media
Summary

David S. Wichmann is a co-founder of Jory Capital. He is known for his significant contributions to the healthcare sector. He served as Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealth Group from September 2017 to March 2021. In this role, he navigated the Fortune 5 company through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring stability and leading it to appear on Fortune’s Top 50 World’s Most Admired Companies list for the first time. Before becoming CEO, he held the positions of President (starting in 2014) and Chief Financial Officer (2011-2016), overseeing UnitedHealth Group's domestic and international businesses and overall performance.

Wichmann’s tenure at UnitedHealth Group spanned 23 years, with earlier roles including President of UnitedHealthcare, CEO of Specialised Care Services (now OptumHealth), and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. He previously worked as a partner at Arthur Andersen & Co. and CFO at Advanced Machine Company.

Wichmann has also contributed to the medical technology field as a board member of Boston Scientific since June 2021. He also served on the boards of UnitedHealth Group and Tennant Company, and he chaired the board of the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities from 2015 to 2017.

Wichmann earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Illinois State University. Known for his vision of patient-centred, accessible healthcare, he emphasised affordability, preventive care, and technology's role in enhancing health outcomes. His leadership has left a lasting impact on healthcare delivery, integrating data and technology to improve efficiency and care quality.

Biography

David S. Wichmann, born in the United States, is a well-known American business executive, recognised for his extensive contributions to the healthcare and business sectors. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Illinois State University in 1985, Wichmann began his career in finance. He joined Arthur Andersen & Co., where he worked as a partner, gaining foundational experience in corporate finance and business operations. His role at Arthur Andersen set the stage for his future work, providing him with insights into managing large organisations.

David Wichmann's tenure at UnitedHealth Group

In 1998, David Wichmann joined UnitedHealth Group, a major healthcare corporation, marking the start of his 23-year tenure with the company. His early roles included Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and President of UnitedHealthcare, the group’s health insurance arm. He later became President and CEO of Specialised Care Services, now known as OptumHealth, focusing on improving healthcare solutions through specialised services.

In 2011, Wichmann was appointed Chief Financial Officer of UnitedHealth Group, overseeing the company’s financial strategy, stability, and growth. His performance in this role was critical to his promotion to President in 2014. As President, he managed UnitedHealthcare’s domestic and international operations, ensuring the company maintained high standards in healthcare service delivery and corporate performance.

David Wichmann net worth and leadership

In September 2017, David Wichmann was named CEO of UnitedHealth Group, where he focused on navigating the company through challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, UnitedHealth Group entered the Fortune 50’s Most Admired Companies list for the first time, demonstrating its strong financial performance and positive stakeholder relations. Wichmann led initiatives to integrate technology and data-driven solutions, advancing the company’s capabilities in digital healthcare delivery.

During his time at UnitedHealth Group, Wichmann did not publish specific works or books but contributed to the development of corporate publications and reports that outlined UnitedHealth’s annual performance and healthcare strategies. His leadership was instrumental in developing initiatives to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, emphasising preventive care and efficiency.

After retiring from UnitedHealth Group in early 2021, David Wichmann co-founded Jory Capital, a venture focused on supporting transformative businesses. He also joined the board of Boston Scientific, a prominent medical technology company, contributing to its efforts to advance healthcare solutions globally. Additionally, he served as chairman of the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities from 2015 to 2017 and was a long-serving board member of Tennant Company, providing strategic insights for both organisations.

As of October 2024, David Wichmann's net worth is estimated at least $515 million, primarily from his tenure as CEO of UnitedHealth Group and his holdings in the company.

Vision

David S. Wichmann envisions a healthcare system that is patient-centred, affordable, and accessible to all. He believes in using technology to improve healthcare delivery, making it more efficient and tailored to individual needs. Wichmann emphasises preventive care, aiming to keep people healthy and reduce the occurrence of diseases. David Wichmann supports collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to create a coordinated system that benefits everyone. His vision focuses on continuous improvement and innovation to enhance patient care and health outcomes.

Recognition and Awards

David S. Wichmann earned recognition for his leadership while at UnitedHealth Group, helping the company achieve a place on Fortune’s Top 50 World’s Most Admired Companies list for the first time. His work through the COVID-19 pandemic showed his strong guidance, as he focused on keeping the company stable and meeting stakeholder needs. While specific personal awards aren’t widely noted, his efforts in healthcare have been recognised for promoting innovation and better service in the industry.

References
David S. Wichmann
Nationality
American
Residence
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Occupation
Business Executive, Co-Founder, and Board Member
Companies
Known for
Leading UnitedHealth Group as CEO, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency.
Accolades
UnitedHealth Group is listed on Fortune’s Top 50 World’s Most Admired Companies, leadership through COVID-19
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Illinois State University
Social Media