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Elizabeth Southard

Elizabeth Southard


Director of Finance



Professional Overview
Elizabeth Southard is an accomplished finance professional with over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry. As the Director of Finance at UnitedHealthcare, she oversees all financial operations, strategic planning, and budgeting for the organization. Elizabeth's expertise spans financial reporting, risk management, and driving operational efficiencies to support organizational growth.

Experience Summary

Current Role
Elizabeth has served as the Director of Finance at UnitedHealthcare since 2018. In this role, she is responsible for managing a team of 20 finance professionals, overseeing a multi-million dollar budget, and ensuring the company's financial activities align with its strategic objectives. Under Elizabeth's leadership, the finance department has implemented innovative cost-saving initiatives that have improved the company's profitability by 12% year-over-year.

Career Progression
Prior to joining UnitedHealthcare, Elizabeth held various finance leadership roles at other prominent healthcare organizations. She served as the Senior Financial Analyst at Novant Health from 2013 to 2018, where she spearheaded the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that enhanced financial reporting and data-driven decision making. Earlier in her career, Elizabeth was a Financial Analyst at Cone Health, where she played a crucial role in optimizing the company's accounts receivable processes, resulting in a 15% reduction in outstanding invoices.

Academic Background
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Areas of Expertise
  • Financial planning and analysis

  • Budget and cost management

  • Financial reporting and controls

  • Risk management and compliance

  • Strategic decision-making

  • Team leadership and development


Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Elizabeth has demonstrated a strong commitment to driving financial excellence and operational efficiency within the healthcare industry. She has played a key role in implementing data-driven strategies that have improved financial performance, enhanced business processes, and supported organizational growth. Elizabeth's contributions have been recognized through various industry awards, including the Cone Health Finance Leadership Award and the UnitedHealthcare Finance Executive of the Year.

Conclusion
With her extensive experience, strong financial acumen, and proven track record of success, Elizabeth Southard is an invaluable asset to UnitedHealthcare. As the Director of Finance, she continues to provide strategic leadership and innovative solutions that contribute to the company's overall financial health and long-term sustainability.