Charles Merz is a distinguished healthcare and insurance executive whose career spans more than three decades of transformational leadership, financial stewardship, actuarial excellence, and strategic innovation. Throughout his professional journey, he has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor, accomplished executive, and business strategist capable of bridging the gap between complex technical disciplines and practical business decision-making. His unique ability to integrate financial, actuarial, operational, and strategic perspectives has enabled organizations to achieve sustainable growth, improve profitability, and successfully navigate highly regulated and competitive markets.
Over the course of his 30-plus-year career, Charles has built an impressive track record leading some of the nation’s most prominent healthcare and insurance organizations. His expertise encompasses commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, underwriting, risk management, analytics, product development, and corporate strategy. Known for simplifying complex concepts and translating technical insights into actionable business solutions, he has consistently served as a key executive resource for boards of directors, senior leadership teams, investors, regulators, and stakeholders seeking clarity and confidence in high-stakes decision-making environments.
Most recently, Charles served as Vice President and Chief Actuary for Presbyterian Healthcare Services and Presbyterian Health Plan, where he oversaw multiple high-impact business functions including actuarial services, underwriting, risk adjustment, medical economics. In this role, he played a pivotal part in identifying new growth opportunities, evaluating strategic partnerships, expanding market presence, and implementing initiatives designed to strengthen financial performance. His leadership helped guide the organization through evolving healthcare markets while maintaining a focus on long-term sustainability, operational excellence, and member outcomes.
While at Presbyterian, Charles became recognized not only for his actuarial expertise but also for his ability to drive enterprise-wide strategic initiatives. He led market evaluations, partnership analyses, pricing strategies, and business development opportunities beyond New Mexico, helping executives make informed decisions about expansion and investment opportunities. His work extended beyond traditional actuarial functions, encompassing business transformation, risk mitigation, underwriting modernization, and innovative healthcare delivery solutions designed to improve both patient experience and organizational performance.
Prior to Presbyterian, Charles served as Chief Actuary for Medical Mutual of Ohio, where he played a critical role in helping the organization adapt to rapidly changing healthcare regulations and competitive pressures. He led efforts to improve financial performance within Affordable Care Act products, developed sophisticated risk score modeling capabilities, strengthened Medicare bid processes, and supported company-wide transformation initiatives. His strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style enabled the organization to better position itself for long-term success during a period of significant industry disruption.
Charles also served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Actuary for North Shore-LIJ CareConnect Insurance Company, where he was instrumental in launching and building a newly licensed health insurance organization from the ground up. In this role, he simultaneously led finance, actuarial, underwriting, and analytics functions while helping establish the operational infrastructure required for a successful market entry. His leadership contributed to the organization’s rapid growth and financial stability, while his ability to align insurance operations with healthcare system objectives created meaningful value across the enterprise. Serving as an officer to the boards of multiple insurance entities, he gained extensive experience presenting strategic recommendations and financial insights to executive leadership and governing bodies.
Earlier in his career, Charles spent more than seven years as Chief Actuary and Vice President of Actuarial Services for Geisinger Health Plan. There, he expanded his influence beyond actuarial leadership to include informatics, provider contracting, product development, and strategic planning. He oversaw the development of enterprise data warehouse capabilities, enhanced reporting and analytics functions, and played a central role in designing innovative insurance products and growth strategies. His ability to leverage data as a strategic asset helped position Geisinger as a forward-thinking organization capable of making more informed and effective business decisions.
Charles’s leadership foundation was further strengthened through executive roles at Neighborhood Health Partnership and American International Group (AIG). At AIG, he managed international healthcare operations spanning Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, providing financial oversight, underwriting leadership, and strategic support across multiple countries. His international experience exposed him to diverse business cultures, regulatory environments, and market dynamics, broadening his perspective and enhancing his ability to navigate complex global business challenges. These experiences reinforced his belief that sustainable success is achieved through disciplined analysis, collaborative leadership, and a deep understanding of stakeholder needs.
A Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, Charles possesses one of the industry’s most respected professional credentials. His expertise has made him a sought-after presenter and thought leader within the actuarial profession, including presentations before the American Academy of Actuaries. Throughout his career, he has contributed to industry discussions, co-authored professional articles, and shared insights on financial performance, healthcare trends, risk management, and strategic planning. His commitment to continuous learning and professional development reflects his dedication to excellence and his passion for helping organizations adapt to evolving market conditions.
What distinguishes Charles most is his ability to serve as the connective force between technical analysis and business strategy. Colleagues frequently describe him as a leader who can take highly complex challenges and distill them into understandable, actionable solutions. Whether evaluating market opportunities, assessing financial risks, developing growth strategies, or guiding organizational transformation, he consistently focuses on helping companies make smarter decisions that balance profitability, sustainability, and long-term value creation. His leadership style combines analytical rigor with practical business judgment, making him a highly effective advisor to executive teams and boards alike.
Outside of his professional accomplishments, Charles maintains a strong interest in climate-related initiatives, international travel, and philately. His curiosity about global markets and cultures complements his extensive international business experience and reinforces his appreciation for diverse perspectives. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he values meaningful relationships, lifelong learning, and opportunities to share knowledge with others. These personal interests and values contribute to his well-rounded leadership approach and his ability to connect with individuals from varied backgrounds and industries.
Today, Charles is actively seeking opportunities to contribute his extensive executive experience at the board level. With deep expertise spanning finance, actuarial science, insurance operations, healthcare strategy, risk management, and organizational leadership, he brings a rare combination of technical mastery and business acumen. His proven ability to align financial performance with strategic objectives, guide organizations through periods of change, and communicate effectively with stakeholders positions him as a valuable asset to companies seeking thoughtful governance, sustainable growth, and informed decision-making.
Character:
Charles demonstrates integrity in every aspect of his leadership, consistently prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making. He is recognized as a dependable and trusted advisor who follows through on commitments and builds credibility with colleagues, executives, and board members alike. His willingness to mentor others, foster collaboration, and support organizational success reflects a leadership style rooted in service and respect.
Knowledge:
He possesses deep expertise across actuarial science, finance, insurance operations, healthcare management, analytics, and strategic planning. His broad professional background allows him to connect technical disciplines and translate specialized knowledge into practical business value. He remains committed to continuous learning and staying informed about industry trends, regulatory developments, and emerging opportunities.
Strategic:
Charles consistently approaches challenges with a long-term perspective focused on sustainable growth and profitability. He has successfully guided organizations through market expansion, business transformation, product innovation, and complex financial decisions. His ability to evaluate opportunities, assess risk, and align resources with strategic objectives has delivered measurable results throughout his career.
Communication: Exceling at transforming complicated concepts into clear, actionable insights that stakeholders can readily understand and apply. He is an experienced presenter who has communicated effectively with boards, executive leadership teams, regulators, clients, and industry professionals. His ability to listen carefully, build consensus, and facilitate productive discussions enables organizations to make informed decisions with confidence.
