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
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.
New Chief Brand and External Relations offi
cer Lesleigh Irish Underwood.
Photo courtesy of MetroPlusHealth
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.
“We have 11 public health hospitals,
the closest market is L.A, which only
has two,” Irish-Underwood said.
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. There is a
leadership place I think Metro in partnership
with New York City health
and hospitals should be taking,” 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 both 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.
Black History Month Spotlight:
Lesleigh Irish-Underwood
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