10 Aetna AI and data science leaders
Heather Newton, Executive Director of Engineering, Client & AI, leads this list of Aetna AI and data science leaders, who also include an executive director of data science and lead directors and directors of AI engineering, AI strategy and data science. A reader can learn how AI and data science leaders work at Aetna from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Alexander Kuo
LinkedInExperience: Director of Data Science · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Alexander Kuo has been Director of Data Science at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since March 2021, based in New York, New York, and describes a background as a leader in data and analytics. Alexander Kuo was Senior Manager at Accenture from 2007 to 2020 and Patent Examiner at the USPTO from 2005 to 2006.
Brittany Estra, MBA, CCMP
LinkedInExperience: Director of AI Strategy & Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Brittany Estra has been Director of AI Strategy & Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since March 2026, and describes a focus on scaling safe, governed and production-ready AI across Medicare technology. Brittany Estra was Senior Product Manager/Product Lead - AI & Digital Health Platforms at Evernorth Health Services from 2025 to 2026.
Derek Martin
LinkedInExperience: Lead Director, AI Activation · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Derek Martin has been Lead Director, AI Activation at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since January 2026, based in New York City. Derek Martin was Head of Digital Platforms and Data Transformation at United Nations Global Compact from 2022 to 2023 and Director Enterprise CRM and Digital Platforms and Data at International Rescue Committee from 2020 to 2021.
Heather Newton
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Engineering, Client & AI · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Heather Newton has been Executive Director of Engineering, Client & AI at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since November 2025. Heather Newton was Director of Engineering at Aetna from 2023 to 2025 and Sr. Engineering Manager there from 2021 to 2023, and was Sr. Program Analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General from 2017 to 2021.
Joan Harrington
LinkedInExperience: AI Platform Director · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Joan Harrington has been AI Platform Director at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since April 2026 and Director of Engineering there since January 2025, and the listing says Joan Harrington managed an AI-driven global search project at Aetna. Joan Harrington was Senior Software Engineering Manager at Aetna from 2022 to 2025 and Senior Technical Product Manager there from 2020 to 2022.
Justin Gortner
LinkedInExperience: Director of AI and Knowledge Enablement · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Justin Gortner has been Director of AI and Knowledge Enablement at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since January 2026, based in Columbus, Ohio. Justin Gortner was Director of AI and Proposal Services at AmeriHealth Caritas from 2019 to 2026 and Corporate Development Manager at AmeriHealth Caritas from 2018 to 2019.
Kyle Steelman
LinkedInExperience: Director of AI Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Kyle Steelman has been Director of AI Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since July 2025. Kyle Steelman was Director of Engineering at Aetna from 2023 to 2025 and Senior Software Engineering Manager there from 2021 to 2023, and was Software Engineering Manager at Capital One from 2020 to 2021.
Laura Schweitzer
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Data Science · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Laura Schweitzer has been Executive Director, Data Science at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since May 2021. Laura Schweitzer was Data and Analytics Practice Lead at Octo (formerly B3 Group) from 2020 to 2021, Managing Director at PwC from 2012 to 2019 and Director at PwC from 2002 to 2012.
Ting Withers, Ph.D.
LinkedInExperience: Lead Director of Data Science · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Ting Withers has been Lead Director of Data Science at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since September 2019, and the listing names business strategy, marketing innovation and analytics, and digital marketing among the role's areas. Ting Withers was Director of Data Science and HEDIS Reporting at UnitedHealth Group from 2017 to 2019.
Yunshen Chen
LinkedInExperience: Lead Director, Data Science · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Yunshen Chen has been Lead Director, Data Science at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since March 2023, based in Lexington, Massachusetts. Yunshen Chen was Senior Manager, Data Science at Aetna from 2022 to 2023 and Lead Data Scientist there from 2021 to 2022, and describes a background as a machine learning engineer.
Choose the right perspective
Pick the person whose own role is closest to your question, whether that is AI engineering, AI strategy or data science. Check the start dates of each role to see how recent the experience is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How have you decided which AI or data science projects your own group takes on first?
- 02What has it taken to move a model or AI tool from a pilot into regular use by business teams?
- 03How have you worked with compliance, clinical or business partners when putting AI into production?
Reaching Aetna AI and data science leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.