Chief Analytics Officer, Highmark Health 

As the Chief Analytics Officer at Highmark Health, Richard focuses on delivering innovative data and advanced analytic solutions that fulfill Highmark Health’s mission of creating a remarkable health experience, freeing people to be their best.

Richard initially trained as a Neuroscientist and Biophysicist. Since moving out of academia, his experience includes large-scale data/ analytic transformations, building and scaling advanced analytic products, and building and managing Data Science teams. Richard is passionate about delivering business impact through advanced analytics, growing leaders that connect analytics to the business, and building diverse teams.

Richard arrived at Highmark in 2016 to assume the role of Vice President, Advanced Analytics and Reporting. Prior to that time, he was at McKinsey & Company for 9 years. While at Highmark, Richard has led several Analytics teams as well as Product, Clinical Services, and Human Centered Design. In 2020, he moved into the Chief Analytics Officer role, overseeing all Data and Analytics for Highmark Health.

Richard holds a B.S. in Neuroscience from Allegheny College and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC), a joint program between CMU and the University of Pittsburgh. During his doctoral work he studied under Dr. Jon Johnson and published 4 peer-reviewed articles that utilized a mixture of wet-lab research and kinetic modeling to investigate the functioning of NMDA receptors.

On a personal note, Richard and his wife, Shauna, have been married for 16 years and live in the Pittsburgh area.  They have 2 children and 1 very loved dog.  When not at work, Richard enjoys golfing, fishing and reading fantasy novels.

Thought Leadership Topics:

• Integrating advanced analytic insights into workflow systems
• Adoption and use of analytic solutions
• Building and maintaining Data Science teams
• The new role of the Analytic Translator
• Large scale data and analytic transformations
• Healthcare interoperability
• Predictive and Prescriptive modeling

Interviews/Articles:
Transforming into an analytics-driven insurance carrier
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/transforming-into-an-analytics-driven-insurance-carrier

Unleashing the value of advanced analytics in insurance
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/unleashing-the-value-of-advanced-analytics-in-insurance