Three Leaders Recognized as Power Players in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Simran Kaur, Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano, and Roger Milliner joined PoliticsNY’s inaugural list of New Yorkers making a difference in diversity, equity, and inclusion
Aug 18, 2023
New York, NY
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced three of its leaders were recognized as “Power Players in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” by PoliticsNY: Simran Kaur, Chief People Officer at MetroPlusHealth; Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano, Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals; and Roger Milliner, Chief Growth Officer at MetroPlusHealth. The inaugural list includes professionals from government, nonprofits, and corporations who work to address structural inequities and promote opportunities for people from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. PoliticsNY is an online news outlet that covers city and state government; it publishes a daily email newsletter and content in print through amNY Metro, and it is part of Schneps Media.
Simran Kaur, Chief People Officer at MetroPlusHealth, has implemented a people-centric vision to ensure MetroPlusHealth attracts and retains top talent committed to its mission. She fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion contributing to the continued growth of MPH as a high-quality, affordable health insurance plan for its 700,000+ members. Simran holds a B.A. in political science and history from Columbia University. She is a subject matter expert in employment and labor law, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano leads a portfolio encompassing diversity and inclusion, strategy development, language access, gender equity, health equity, workforce development, the Corporate Learning Academy, talent management, volunteer management, and leadership development. Mendez-Justiniano has been with the health system since 1994 and has held various leadership roles including overseeing patient relations, quality management, and graduate medical education. In addition to her role at the health system, Mendez-Justiniano serves as an 1199 Trustee, is the Chairperson for the NYC Board of Education Technical Education Council, and serves on the Advisory Councils for CUNY Community Colleges, Metropolitan College of New York, NYC College of Technology (CUNY). Mendez-Justiniano holds an MBA and a MS in Organizational Management from St Joseph’s University, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Organizational Development and Change with a focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Roger Milliner, Chief Growth Officer for MetroPlusHealth, is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He began at MetroPlusHealth in 1990 as a marketing representative, rejoining the company in 2000 as the associate executive director of marketing. Mr. Milliner manages a staff of over 350, and has been instrumental in the Plan’s exponential growth. He is committed to building relationships with community leaders, city agencies, and community-based organizations to promote health care for all New Yorkers.
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.