Paula Wilson

Senior Director of Leadership, Governance & Business Risk Advisory

Professional Experience:

Paula Wilson is an experienced leader, manager and educator in the health care, higher education, and government sectors. Most recently, Ms. Wilson served as the President and Chief Executive officer of Joint Commission Resources/Joint Commission International, a global patient safety and health care quality organization. Her career began in New York State government where she served on the Governor’s staff, was the Deputy Budget Director for Health, Education and Welfare and served as the Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Health Department.

Ms. Wilson has held various senior positions in the health care sector including CEO of two managed care organizations, Senior Vice President of Corporate Programs at a multi-service long-term care organization and Vice President for Policy at the United Hospital Fund. She has served on the Boards of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the largest public hospital system in the United States, The Visiting Nurse Association of Brooklyn and St. Mary’s Center, Inc., a community based long term care and primary care provider in New York City. She has extensive governance experience serving on and working with organization boards.

 Ms. Wilson was an Associate Professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University teaching courses in financial management for public and nonprofit organizations and was an Associate Clinical Professor at the Robert F. Wager Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.
 

Skills and Experience 

Developing and implementing strategy 

Working with the Board and staff, I led the development of the international strategy for the expansion of JCI into new markets in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Using tools such as SWOTs, other external data, we developed a successful strategy for investment and growth.

Developing and Managing External Partnerships 

Successfully negotiated a joint venture in China with a prominent state-owned enterprise. This effort included opening an office in Beijing and hiring staff in that country.

Delivering successful financial performance; profit and loss accountability 

Managed an operating budget of $65 million consistently delivering positive operating margins. Led the difficult effort to reduce costs in 2020 to adjust to loss of business due the COVID pandemic.

Leading and managing teams, promoting safety culture 

Led a global workforce that included staff in offices located in Singapore, Dubai, Beijing and Oakbrook. The staff also included numerous surveyors and consultants located in countries around the world.

Engaging and informative public speaker

Frequent speaker at major health care patient safety and quality conferences in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, European, South American regions.

Areas of Expertise

Industry Expertise

Education

Professional Memberships and Certifications