Alaina Kennedy

A seasoned health equity professional, Alaina Kennedy has demonstrated a profound understanding of societal dynamics, consumer behavior, and cultural influences throughout her career. Alaina is characterized by her dedication, drive, and passion, and she possesses expertise in strategic problem-solving, marketing strategies, brand management, and executive and client relations, enriched by her extensive background. She excels in designing and executing stakeholder engagement plans tailored to diverse target populations.
 
Alaina excelled in various leadership roles during her tenure at the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans. She led contract negotiations, forged strategic partnerships, delivered compelling public speeches, orchestrated marketing and educational campaigns, spearheaded cross-functional projects, and provided innovative solutions to complex issues. Her oversight of committees related to Medicaid operations, compliance, healthcare quality, and provider relations underscored her commitment to developing comprehensive best practices for enhancing and streamlining operations, contractual compliance, quality, and provider engagement.
 
Before joining the association, Alaina was the Health Equity and Government Relations Manager at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), where she conducted extensive research on public health policy, played a key role in developing impactful initiatives, and provided leadership in strategic messaging. She effectively addressed organizational challenges and monitored legislative activities at local and national levels. Previously a legislative and budget analyst for the Illinois Speaker of the House, Alaina demonstrated expertise in policymaking and legislation drafting, particularly in human services and public health.
 
Alaina holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Social Science with a concentration in health promotion and bioethics from Michigan State University.