Black History Month
BY DEAN MOSES
Lesleigh Irish-Underwood
is looking to take MetroPlusHealth
to an even higher level as
its new chief brand and external
relations offi cer.
MetroPlusHealth is a leading
health coverage provider
who prides themselves on offering
affordable yet high-quality
protection for New Yorkers.
This fi ve-star rated company
has been in operation since
1985, but despite its longstanding
history, those at the organization
are also looking to the
future with the appointment of
Irish-Underwood in this key
role.
Growing up in Brooklyn
from a modest family background
to becoming the fi rst
Chief Brand and External Relations
Offi cer, Irish-Underwood
is hoping to serve as a
bridge between the public and
MetroPlusHealth. Describing
herself as the “brand czar,” she
will be making certain to inform
COURIER L 16 IFE, FEB. 26-MAR. 4, 2021
communities of the work
the company is doing. But perhaps
most importantly of all,
she says she yearns to help
tell the stories of New Yorkers,
making certain they are
served in the correct way.
“Business moves at
the speed of relationships.
Whether it is working with
people in the communities we
serve or my own colleagues
on a Zoom call later today, it’s
about building those strong
relationships,” she said. “Part
of my strength is that I am
a native New Yorker. I went
to those same high schools,
I walked those same streets,
my mom taught in those same
neighborhoods, my dad grew
up in those same areas—my
family is mostly still here. You
may see this fancy suit now but
there were jeans and Pro-Keds
20 years ago.”
As a woman of color born
and raised in Brooklyn, it is
her priority to help ensure
the underserved is served.
As MetroPlusHealth takes a
strong leadership role in the
health insurance space part
of this process is to ensure everybody
has access to the plans
available.
Irish-Underwood believes
that the New York City healthcare
system is unrivaled and
that MetroPlusHealth is not
only at the forefront, but also
the top choice in her mind
when it comes providing policies
to those who need coverage
thanks to their partnership
with New York City health and
hospitals.
Irish-Underwood underscored
that this is such a
unique position to hold but,
unfortunately, not everybody
is informed of the choices afforded
to New Yorkers.
But she herself admits that
she was initially unaware of
the distinctive opportunities
the health system and the insurance
company can provide
for communities who are
struggling. She affi rms that
more people — including those
in leadership — need to know
the position the city has to care
for those in need.
“There is a real leadership
role of addressing the inequities
of health as it relates to
Black and Brown communities
across New York City,” Irish-
Underwood said.
She shared that she has noticed
over the years the many
disparities and underlying conditions
Black and Brown, and
low-income communities face.
These conditions have been
exacerbated by the COVID-19
pandemic, and Irish-Underwood
hopes to be a catalyst for
change in her new positions,
bringing awareness and support
to those in need.
Irish-Underwood is looking
forward to serving the community
she came from and the
health care providers to create
a union through which countless
New Yorkers can receive
quality healthcare.
Prior to becoming Chief
Brand and External Relations
Offi cer, Irish-Underwood
worked for 25 years with Knopf
Publishing Group of Random
House, Pearson, and Kensington
Publishing; most recently,
she was part of the United Way.
She graduated from Stony
Brook University and was she
was named one of Network
Journal’s 25 Most Infl uential
Black Women in Business in
2018.
New Chief Brand and External Relations
offi cer Lesleigh Irish Underwood.
MetroPlusHealth
Lesleigh Irish-Underwood becomes
fi rst Chief Brand and External
Relations Offi cer for MetroPlusHealth
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