Ceci Connolly

Ceci Connolly Speaker Biography

President & CEO of Alliance of Community Health Plans, Former Washington Post Reporter & Renowned Health Policy Expert

Ceci Connolly is a nationally respected health policy authority and the leading senior health policy speaker for healthcare events today. As President and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), she guides efforts to improve care quality while lowering costs. With a 25-year background in journalism—including her tenure as the Washington Post’s chief health correspondent—she brings rare depth to conversations around health reform. Notably, she covered President Obama’s historic push for the Affordable Care Act, reporting firsthand from Capitol Hill. Over the years, Ceci has emerged as both a media-savvy commentator and a trusted leader in healthcare strategy. Her influence extends across clinical, regulatory, and policy spheres. Whether advising hospital executives or briefing public officials, she makes complex health systems easier to understand and act upon. For audiences at healthcare summits, corporate retreats, and government conferences, her insights are as relevant as they are timely.

Co-Author of LANDMARK and Advocate for Value-Based Care

Ceci Connolly co-authored LANDMARK: The Inside Story of America’s New Health Care Law and What It Means for Us All, a definitive guide to the Affordable Care Act. The book demystifies the sweeping legislation and highlights how it reshaped the American health system. In her current role with ACHP, she collaborates with forward-thinking executives who lead nonprofit, community-based health plans. These organizations are national models for delivering value-based care. Moreover, she is a vocal champion for health equity and community-centered innovations. Through policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement, she helps shape frameworks that prioritize patients and public health. Additionally, Ceci provides thought leadership on major trends—from telemedicine to payment reform. As a result, she is a fixture at healthcare events where high-level strategy meets operational execution. Her expertise makes her a go-to source for leaders navigating a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Strategic Adviser on Healthcare Innovation and Policy

Beyond her executive leadership, Ceci Connolly is known for guiding companies through healthcare’s most disruptive transformations. She has advised CEOs, hospital boards, and government leaders on everything from crisis communications to regulatory strategy. At the intersection of business and policy, she thrives—translating jargon-heavy directives into practical guidance. This ability has earned her invitations to global healthcare conferences and top-tier leadership forums. Additionally, she offers coaching on navigating federal healthcare legislation, especially during uncertain political shifts. While her foundation is in journalism, her influence now spans beyond reporting into policy shaping and executive decision-making. Today, as the leading senior health policy speaker for healthcare events, Ceci doesn’t just interpret policy—she helps organizations respond with clarity and vision. Her talks are as strategic as they are motivating, helping leadership teams align their missions with evolving industry standards.

Versatile Keynote Speaker and Advocate for Women in Leadership

Ceci Connolly brings a rare fusion of media insight and policy depth to the keynote stage. Her ability to communicate across disciplines—healthcare, journalism, and government—makes her a standout speaker at major healthcare events. She’s spoken internationally on healthcare innovation, public affairs, and women’s leadership in historically male-dominated fields. Furthermore, her bilingual fluency and experience reporting from Latin America add a global dimension to her talks. Ceci connects with audiences not only through expertise but also through story. From advising policymakers in Washington to leading strategy sessions in Silicon Valley, her voice resonates. She addresses the big questions: How can we make healthcare better, fairer, and more sustainable? What’s next in U.S. health reform? And what role can each of us play? Whether on stage or on-air, Ceci delivers accessible insight with authority.

Recognized Healthcare Leader and Award-Winning Communicator

Ceci Connolly’s influence has earned her widespread recognition in the healthcare industry and beyond. Business Insider named her one of D.C.’s “Health Care Power Players,” affirming her leadership in the policy space. She made history as the first non-physician to receive the prestigious Mayo Clinic Plummer Society award, honoring her commitment to promoting science literacy and medical understanding. Additionally, she is a founding member of Women of Impact (WOI) for Healthcare—a network of changemakers driving systemic reform. Through her contributions, Ceci continues to elevate both the visibility of women leaders and the effectiveness of health communication. Her career spans media, government, nonprofit, and private sectors—making her insights both broad and deeply informed. Whether she’s appearing on national television or leading closed-door strategy sessions, her presence drives clarity and results. For organizations seeking a leading senior health policy speaker for healthcare events, Ceci Connolly offers unmatched perspective, impact, and inspiration.