News

JEAN YANG JOINS VINFEN AS PRESIDENT AND CEO

Seasoned leader with experience in health and government, Yang will lead Vinfen’s continued growth as an innovative provider of community-based services for people with mental health conditions, disabilities, and life challenges

Cambridge, MA (September 6, 2022) – Vinfen, a leading provider of community-based services for people with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges, announced the selection of Jean Yang, MBA, as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. Yang, who brings over twenty years of healthcare experience to the role, will succeed Bruce Bird, Ph.D., who served as President and CEO since 2010.

Yang’s diverse healthcare background spans across payer, provider, and government entities. She most recently served as a health insurance executive at Point32Health (previously Tufts Health Plan). Since 2018, she has been the President of the Public Plans segment in that organization, serving Medicaid and other low-income populations. Yang’s work as President of the Public Plans segment was focused on policy advocacy, community outreach, and care model design and innovation centered around vulnerable populations.

“For most of my career, I have been focused on ensuring access to essential health services for vulnerable populations. The work Vinfen and its talented leadership team, skilled clinicians, and committed direct care workers do to support people with mental health conditions and life challenges is critical to both the people we serve and the region at large,” said Yang. “I am particularly excited to continue to build partnerships with public and private entities, foster innovation, and assure that our workforce has the resources it needs to succeed.” 

Yang served in leadership roles at the Massachusetts Health Connector (Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director roles), where she oversaw the complex effort to implement the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Massachusetts. In 2015, she became the Executive Director of Boston Children’s Hospital Integrated Care Organization (CHICO) and led the development of the hospital’s inaugural Medicaid Accountable Care Organization program. In 2017, she was awarded a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award for leadership in Healthcare, Arts, and Education.

“As one of the most dynamic and innovative health and human services organizations in the country, with more than 3,000 employees serving more than 10,000 community members across Massachusetts and Connecticut each year, Vinfen requires both strong business and operational leadership and a deep commitment to the impactful work we do to assure that the people we serve live full and productive lives, free from prejudice and discrimination, supported in their communities,” said Philip (Flip) Mason, Vinfen Board Chair. “It is clear that Jean’s unique healthcare experience and commitment to Vinfen’s mission will both complement the strengths of our existing leadership team and help drive Vinfen forward as an industry leader.”

Yang holds a BS in Biochemistry from Beijing (Peking) University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She has served as a commissioner for the MA Health Policy Commission and the MA Group Insurance Commission and is currently a Board Member for Asian Community Resources (Quincy) and MA Health Quality Partners. Yang lives in Boston with her family.

Additional Coverage:

Boston Business Journal – People on the Move

POLITICO – Massachusetts Playbook

MassNonprofit News

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. With over 455 locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. For more information about Vinfen, please visit, https://vinfen.org.

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