2007 CHICAGO UNITED CHICAGO BRIDGE AWARD RECIPIENT

"By encouraging diversity, in all its aspects, we can put our collective experiences to work to make a difference for those who matter most - our members, customers, employees and communities in which we live."

Ronald A. Williams
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Aetna Inc.

Ronald A. Williams is chairman and chief executive officer of Aetna Inc., a leading diversified health care benefits company, which had revenue of approximately $25 billion in 2006. Under his leadership, Aetna has sought to make a positive impact on health care in America by service as a catalyst for change, focusing the industry, public policy leaders, physicians, and employers on issues aimed at increasing access and affordability.

Since joining Aetna in 2001, Williams has focused on creating innovation in the industry, especially through information technology, and bringing new levels of transparency to the heath care system. In 2001, Aetna became the first national insurer to offer a customer-direct health plan. In 2005, Aetna launched an online tool for consumers to view physician-specific price information, beginning a new era in health care. More recently, Aetna let the development of industry standards for electronic personal health records, a new way for consumers to manage their health care. In 2002, Williams was named company president and joined Aetna’s board. In 2006, he was named CEO and Chairman. Williams is a strong proponent for meaningful health care reform and expanding access to quality, affordable care to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse marketplace.

Valuing diversity is both a fundamental belief at Aetna and strategic advantage. Williams has let the way in promoting Aetna’s vision and commitment to diversity throughout the organization. At Aetna, people of color hold 14 percent of management and supervisory positions and hold 10 percent of senior leadership positions. At the core of Aetna’s cultural competency is its diverse leadership on the board of directors. According to Williams, “Diversity among board members ensures that we consider the best ideas and perspectives from a variety of constituents, including consumers, employers and health care providers. This diversity enables Aetna to compete more effectively by developing the most relevant solutions for all.”

In addition to his leadership at Aetna, Williams is a trustee of the Conference Board and the Connecticut Science Center Board, and a member of the Business Council and Business Roundtable. He was elected to the board of American Express in 2007 and serves on MIT Sloan Dean’s Advisory Council.

Williams is a graduate of Roosevelt University and holds an M.S. in management from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.