Kari J. Bailey
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
Proven multi-state Medicaid leader with 6+ years of experience navigating complex healthcare systems and advancing mission-driven initiatives at a national health organization. Strategic and passionate community engagement champion, with a track record of building trusted partnerships and driving impact at the local, statewide, and national levels. Seasoned marketing and communications expert with a 20-year background shaping narratives, elevating brand presence, and amplifying community-focused missions. Dynamic, people-centered leader known for building high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, and developing future leaders. Exceptional relationship builder adept at cultivating donors, community partners, board members, and cross-sector stakeholders to advance organizational goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Medicaid Growth and Engagement (IA/MN/WI)
Wellpoint
Eagan, MN
01.2021 - Current
- Led the creation and deployment of a $500K Community Transformation Grants program in Iowa, strategically investing in more than 40 community-based organizations to drive sustainable local impact.
Regional Vice President, Marketing and Community Relations (Central Region)
Wellpoint
Eagan, MN
12.2020 - 01.2021
- 10-state responsibility in Central Region (Minnesota to Louisiana) for marketing and community relations teams
- Develop and execute on growth strategies within each market
- Responsible for executing work in a heavily matrixed environment
Director Client Engagement, Medicaid
Prime Therapeutics
Eagan, MN
07.2018 - 12.2020
- Manage relationships with key clients in several states to foster collaboration, drive alignment and integrate customer ideas and priorities into the product development pipeline
- Analyze and interpret market and industry trends in Medicaid at a federal and state level
- Monitor legislative activities related to Medicaid in multiple states to assess potential impacts to business areas and client
- Develop and deliver stakeholder presentations to clients on a quarterly and annual basis
Director, Shared Services PMO
Prime Therapeutics
Eagan, MN
07.2017 - 07.2018
- Led a team of 26 managers, project managers and business analysts
- Responsible for delivering on $8.5 million project portfolio for PBM Operations area
- Partner with other PMO leaders to uplift and refine Prime’s Project Lifecyle
- Uplifted capacity and project reporting for PBM Operations
Director, Community Health, Medicaid
Medica Health Plan
Minnetonka, MN
04.2012 - 01.2017
- Led Medica’s Medicaid community impact efforts including community engagement, marketing, sales and pilot programming. Responsible for $2.5 million budget and staff of 20
- Led company-wide technical response to Statewide Medicaid procurement, resulting in Medica’s win and 62% membership growth.
- Built Medicaid-specific marketing team. Launched new branding strategy, created and expanded social media presence and utilized strategic community partnerships to increase marketing efforts
- Partnered with Medica Foundation to identify, review and award grants to organizations that served the Medicaid community. Formally a part of Medica Foundation Grant Review Committee, awarding more than $2 million in grants every year.
Manager, Patient Services
Be the Match/National Marrow Donor Program
Minneapolis, MN
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Promoted to manager of team responsible for patient/caregiver education, health services research and marketing. Led a staff of seven.
- Set strategic direction for Special Advocacy Services (SAS) program including program development, marketing and communications strategic plan, partnership building and program evaluation.
- Oversaw fiscal and programmatic 5-year cooperative agreement from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with annual budget of $300K. Grant was focused on marketing and communications, research and collaboration to support patients impacted by hematologic cancers.
- Led development and maintenance of partnerships with national patient advocacy organizations that increased access to patient support and education.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Healthcare emphasis
University of St. Thomas
Minneapolis, MN11.2013
Master of Business Communications -
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, MN05.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Biology and English Writing
Concordia College
Moorhead, MN04.1996
Skills
- Strategic vision and leadership
- Community & stakeholder engagement
- Building & leading teams
- Grant making and seeking
- Verbal and written communications
- Thriving in a matrixed environment
- Data analysis and reporting
Professional Highlights
- Led 10-state marketing and community relations teams through radical shift from in-person partner meetings to virtual environments
- Significant experience in Medicaid RFP proposal development in multiple states (including leading RFP responses in Minnesota market)
- Developed and launched $500K Community Transformation Grants program in Iowa to focus on SDOH programs in Iowa
- Developed new model for community engagement and grassroots marketing at Medica with a significant health equity component
Timeline
Director Medicaid Growth and Engagement (IA/MN/WI)
Wellpoint
01.2021 - Current
Regional Vice President, Marketing and Community Relations (Central Region)
Wellpoint
12.2020 - 01.2021
Director Client Engagement, Medicaid
Prime Therapeutics
07.2018 - 12.2020
Director, Shared Services PMO
Prime Therapeutics
07.2017 - 07.2018
Director, Community Health, Medicaid
Medica Health Plan
04.2012 - 01.2017
Manager, Patient Services
Be the Match/National Marrow Donor Program
01.2006 - 01.2012
Master of Business Administration - Healthcare emphasis
University of St. Thomas
Master of Business Communications -
University of St. Thomas
Bachelor of Arts - Biology and English Writing
Concordia College