Joan Budden is the President and CEO of Priority Health, a $4 billion health plan that is nationally recognized for improving the health and lives of the people it serves. Under Budden’s leadership, Priority Health has become the fastest-growing health plan in Michigan.

Budden has more than 30 years’ experience in health care and is a tenacious advocate for lowering costs for individuals and employers. This goal reflects Priority Health’s founding by physicians and hospitals who sought a better option to standalone insurance. Budden has led Priority Health’s focus on prevention and quality, while constantly working to make sure members get the right care, at the right place, at the right time, for the right price.

Budden previously was the chief marketing officer of Priority Health. She has led strategy and held various leadership and executive management positions in the health insurance industry.

Community involvement
Budden is “bi-coastal” in Michigan and is committed to supporting communities on both sides of the state. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Economic Club, Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Independent Bank Corporation, Michigan Women’s Foundation and the University of
Michigan School of Dentistry. She is also a former board member of the Children’s Center in Detroit and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

Education
Masters of Public Administration
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
BS, General Studies
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Joan is a mother of two and is an “empty nester” with her husband Doug.

Posted April 2018