Dara Smith

Principal

Health Management Associates

Seattle, WA

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A growth-oriented leader, Dara Smith has more than 25 years of experience working with health plans, solving problems in the healthcare industry. Focusing on financial success, operations and strategy, she helps organizations achieve their goals and optimize their performance. Her market understanding and relationship building skills allow her to launch profitable products and services, lead successful turnarounds, and support cross-functional collaboration.

Before joining Health Management Associates, Dara was Vice President, Product and Sales, at Cambia Health Solutions, where she was responsible for the profits and losses (P&L) of the Medicare line of business across four states. She was responsible for delivering expected business results and financial value, while enhancing the member experience and exploring new opportunities in the healthcare industry. She developed and launched new products and services that drove profitable growth and customer satisfaction by leveraging strategic thinking, financial acumen, and data-driven decision making.

Dara has led Medicare, Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Commercial Managed Care product innovation and development, Medicare bids and product strategy, and Marketing and Sales teams. She has headed up large-scale transformation and growth efforts for health plans, including achieving ninth place in growth in the overall industry during the Medicare Advantage AEP. Additionally, Dara is skilled in health plan policy, compliance and regulatory areas. She has also worked with provider systems on value-based care arrangements, developed partnerships and growth plans in the Medicare Advantage space, and Dara has extensive experience with vendors and suppliers, including pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), helping those organizations partner with health plans to improve outcomes and focus on the consumer experience.

Dara has a strong financial background, beginning her career in the Audit and Advisory practice of KPMG. During this time, she mastered the skill of client service and has gained success in her career through relationships and by collaborating with others.

Dara earned her Master of Business Administration degree in marketing from Duquesne University. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from West Virginia University.

In addition to her work, Dara uses her skills to serve her community. Dara has been a dedicated volunteer with the Veteran’s Administration, Boys and Girls Club, and Pittsburgh Food Bank. Recently, she has focused her community service on the senior community. She served as a Board member for Meals on Wheels People and a volunteer for Store to Door to help eliminate food insecurity in Portland, Oregon.

Dara lives in Seattle with her husband and two dogs and loves spending time exploring, whether it’s local restaurants and coffee shops, or outdoors in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.