Jenny Smith is HMSA’s new president and chief operating officer, and the first woman to serve as president since the company was founded 87 years ago.
Photo credit Brad Goda
Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S., who has served as HMSA’s president and chief executive officer since February 2020, will continue in his role as CEO, focusing his attention on the needs of external stakeholders such as providers, employers, communities, and the government.
“With everything happening in health care, we’re making this change to ensure that a single leader focuses on and prioritizes the internal operations of HMSA so we can continue to run the best health plan possible, which the people of Hawaii deserve now more than ever,” said Dr. Mugiishi. “Jenny’s leadership is exactly what this moment calls for – steady, visionary, and attuned to the needs of both people and progress.”
Smith oversees health plan strategy and operations. She is responsible for performance and profit and loss management across all lines of business, and for developing a sustainable operating model to support HMSA’s vision. She joined HMSA in April 2024 as executive vice president and chief financial officer.
With more than 25 years of experience, Smith was previously executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer at CareFirst, a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan that serves members in Maryland and Washington, D.C. In this role, Smith oversaw the finance division and helped to elevate the company’s financial position while supporting its not-for-profit mission.
Prior to CareFirst, Smith was chief financial officer of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest region, where she was responsible for the financial health and strategic growth of Kaiser’s integrated system in Oregon and Southwest Washington. She also served as a key member of the national strategic leadership team.
She is passionate about the work HMSA is doing to improve the health of Hawaii and also serves on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.
Smith was born in Shanghai, China, and earned a baccalaureate of law degree in Shanghai, where she met her husband. The couple has been married for 29 years. Their son is a junior at Iolani School and is on the varsity basketball team. Their family dogs, Hans and Hugo, are sweet protectors who love to be close to their humans.
Smith with her family.
Charting the way forward
Local and national health plans face a complex mix of challenges driven by economic pressures, policy uncertainty, and evolving consumer needs. Smith is ready to meet the demands of the moment and help fulfill HMSA’s mission of advancing the health and well-being of its members.
“I’m deeply honored to serve as HMSA’s president at this pivotal time,” Smith says. “Together with our partners and collaborators, we have a powerful opportunity to create lasting, positive change for our members and communities statewide.”
Hero image by Rae Huo
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