Black History Month
Lesleigh Irish-Underwood becomes
first Chief Brand and External
Relations Officer for MetroPlusHealth
BY DEAN MOSES
Lesleigh Irish-Underwood
is looking to take Metro-
PlusHealth 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.
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
New Chief Brand and External Relations officer Lesleigh Irish Underwood.
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 Influential
Black Women in Business in
2018.
10 February 25, 2021 Schneps Media