# John Kao

> John Kao is the founder, chairman and CEO of Alignment Health in Orange, California. A Santa Clara University graduate with an MBA from UCLA Anderson, he worked in investment banking, acquisitions and executive operations before founding Alignment in 2013. His public work includes the Servant Leadership at Work interview series, board service and a management philosophy emphasizing service and accountability.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and CEO at Alignment Health
- **Organizations:** Alignment Health, CareMore Medical Enterprises, The TriZetto Group, PacifiCare Health Systems, Secure Horizons USA, FHP International, BancAmerica Securities, AHIP, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Mariners Church
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Finance, Santa Clara University, MBA; recognized as a Venture Capital Fellow, UCLA Anderson School of Management
- **Known for:** Led Alignment through a 2021 IPO raising approximately $490 million., Received Orange County Business Journal Innovator of the Year recognition in 2019 and sector Businessperson of the Year recognition in 2021., Named Founder of the Year at the 2025 LA Times Studios Orange County Executive Forum & Leadership Awards.

## Career timeline

- **1983** — Graduated from Santa Clara University.
- **1987** — Earned an MBA at UCLA Anderson.
- **Before 2006** — Worked in investment banking at BancAmerica Securities and M&A at FHP International; held executive roles at PacifiCare, Secure Horizons USA and TriZetto.
- **2006** — Acquired CareMore with partners and CCMP Capital Partners; served as president of CareMore Medical Enterprises.
- **2011** — WellPoint acquired CareMore in August.
- **2013** — Founded Alignment.
- **2021** — Led Alignment through its March 26 Nasdaq listing.
- **2022** — Launched Servant Leadership at Work in October.
- **2025** — Joined the AHIP board effective June 5; received Founder of the Year recognition from LA Times Studios in August.
- **2026** — Became chairman of Alignment’s board on May 12 while continuing as CEO.

## Achievements

- Led Alignment through a 2021 IPO raising approximately $490 million.
- Received Orange County Business Journal Innovator of the Year recognition in 2019 and sector Businessperson of the Year recognition in 2021.
- Named Founder of the Year at the 2025 LA Times Studios Orange County Executive Forum & Leadership Awards.
- Elected to the AHIP board in 2025.
- UCLA Anderson Venture Capital Fellow and member of its Board of Advisors.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Appointed chairman of Alignment’s board while continuing as CEO; leadership changes also included Joseph Konowiecki, Mark Kent and Shane Hochradel.
- **2025-08** — Received LA Times Studios Founder of the Year recognition.
- **2025-06** — Elected to the AHIP board, effective June 5.

## Links

- Website: https://www.alignmenthealth.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkao1
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/AlignmentHealth
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignmenthealth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlignmentHealth

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-kao
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23