Dr. Airica Steed

Dr. Airica Powell-Steed is a nationally recognized healthcare executive based in Cleveland, Ohio. She served as the CEO and President of The MetroHealth System, becoming the first woman, first Black person, and first nurse to lead the nearly 200-year-old organisation. Her career spans more than 25 years and includes senior leadership roles at Sinai Chicago, UI Health, Ascension, and Presence Health.

She holds a Doctorate in Ethical Leadership, an MBA in Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is a certified Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma and a Fellow of both the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Academy of Nursing. She is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Global Development at Harvard University.

Dr. Powell-Steed is known for leading large-scale health system transformations focused on equity, financial performance, and operational excellence. Her leadership has driven over $300 million in combined financial improvements and earned top-tier quality and safety outcomes across multiple health systems.

She has held board and advisory roles with organisations such as Gabeo.ai, the South Side Healthy Community Organization, and the Executive Leadership Council. She also teaches as a clinical professor at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Illinois.

Her research and publications focus on leadership, process improvement, and healthcare access. She has been named one of Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” and has received multiple awards for her work in health equity and innovation.

• Modern Healthcare “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” — Modern Healthcare, Dec 2023
• Modern Healthcare “Top Women Leaders” — Modern Healthcare, Feb 2023
• Modern Healthcare “Top 25 Minority Leaders in Healthcare” — Modern Healthcare, Oct 2020
• Modern Healthcare “Top 25 Innovators in Healthcare” — Modern Healthcare, Jan 2021
• Modern Healthcare “Up & Comers” — Modern Healthcare, Sep 2013
• Becker’s “149 Black Healthcare Leaders to Know” — Becker’s Healthcare, Mar 2023
• Becker’s “Top 130 Female Healthcare Leaders to Know” — Becker’s Healthcare, various years
• Becker’s “26 Women CEOs of Hospitals & Health Systems to Know” — Becker’s Healthcare, Jan 2023
• Becker’s “Rising Star: Top 25 Leaders Under 40” — Becker’s Hospital Review, Jul 2015
• Diversity MBA Magazine “Top 100 Executive Leaders Under 50” — Diversity MBA Magazine
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference “Top Hospital Administrator of the Year” — Jan 2023
• Crain’s Cleveland Business “Power 150 Leaders” — Crain’s, Jan 2023
• Sharp Index “Health Equity Leader Finalist” — Jan 2023
• Midwest Asian Healthcare Organization “Outstanding Leader Award” — Dec 2022
• Press Ganey “National Success Story Award” — Press Ganey, Nov 2014
• UIC Chancellor’s Committee “Black History Maker Award” — UIC, 2013

• Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) — American Academy of Nursing, Issued Nov 2024
• Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) — American College of Healthcare Executives, Issued Jan 2013
• Internationally Accredited Trainer – Lean Six Sigma — Lean Six Sigma International Association of Professionals
• Certificate in Leadership & Organizational Development — Governors State University

• American Academy of Nursing — Fellow (FAAN), Oct 2024 – Present
• American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) — Fellow (FACHE)
• American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) — Member
• Black Directors Health Equity Agenda — Member, Oct 2022 – Present
• CHIEF — Member, Jul 2022 – Present
• The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) — Member, 2024 – Present
• Greater Cleveland Partnership — Board Observer (with The MetroHealth System)
• Loyola University Chicago, Quinlan School of Business — Advisory Board Member, Jan 2020 – Present
• Resurrection University — Executive Board Member
• The Leverage Network — Member
• YPO — Member, 2023 – Present
• West Side United — Board Member & Chair, Health Policy Committee, Jan 2020 – Present
• Midwest Asian Health Association — Board Member
• America’s Essential Hospitals — Awards Committee Member, Jan 2020 – Present
• Women in Healthcare, Inc. — National Advisory Board Member, Jan 2020
• Illinois Health and Hospital Association — Committee Member, Healthcare Equity, Jan 2021 – Present
• South Side Healthy Community Organization — Board Member, Jan 2021 – Present
• Wellness West — Board Member, Jan 2021 – Present
• The Ohio Hospital Association — Board Member
• Global Cleveland — Board Member, Jun 2023 – Present
• Urban League of Greater Cleveland — Board Member

• South Side Healthy Community Organization — Board Member, Jan 2021 – Present
• Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago — Board Member, Jan 2020 – Present
• Women In Healthcare, Inc. — National Advisory Board Member, Jan 2020
• Illinois Health and Hospital Association — Committee Member, Healthcare Equity, Jan 2021 – Present
• West Side United — Board Member & Chair, Health Policy Committee, Jan 2020 – Present