Insurance
10 Aetna engineering leaders
These ten current Aetna engineering leaders hold director, lead director and executive director roles in software, digital, AI and platform engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company. A reader can learn how engineering leaders work at Aetna from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Alok Chandrakar
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Director of Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since February 2021, where the profile says Alok Chandrakar leads platform engineering with primary ownership of the enterprise Messaging platform, which the profile says delivers 10B+ annual communications. The profile also lists Principal Software Engineer at Aetna (2018–2021) and at Epsilon (2014–2018).
Brittany Estra, MBA, CCMP
LinkedInExperience: Director of AI Strategy & Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Director of AI Strategy & Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since March 2026, a role the profile tags at director level in Engineering and Technical. The profile also lists Senior Product Manager/Product Lead - AI & Digital Health Platforms at Evernorth Health Services (2025–2026) and Senior Manager, Product Strategy & Underwriting Platforms at Express Scripts Pharmacy Benefit Services (2023–2025).
Derek Widmayer
LinkedInExperience: Lead Director of Digital Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Lead Director of Digital Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since August 2025, and Senior Software Engineering Manager at Aetna from 2021 to 2025. The profile also lists Cloud & Data Engineering Manager at Transamerica (2019–2021), Software Engineering Manager at OppenheimerFunds (2014–2019) and Lead Software Architect at OppenheimerFunds (2014).
Heather Newton
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Engineering, Client & AI · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Executive Director of Engineering, Client & AI at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since November 2025, a role the profile describes as Executive Director of Client Engineering (Web, iOS, Android) and AI platform. The profile also lists Director of Engineering (2023–2025) and Sr. Engineering Manager (2021–2023) at Aetna.
John Dewsnap
LinkedInExperience: Lead Director of Software Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Lead Director of Software Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since June 2026, based in Boston, a role the profile tags at director level in Engineering and Technical. The profile also lists Director of Software Engineering at Flexcar (2024–2026), Engineering Manager at Flexcar (2023–2024) and Engineering Manager at Abacus Insights (2021–2023).
Kyle Steelman
LinkedInExperience: Director of AI Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Director of AI Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since July 2025, a role the profile tags at director level, and Director of Engineering at Aetna from 2023 to 2025. The profile also lists Senior Software Engineering Manager at Aetna (2021–2023) and Software Engineering Manager roles at Capital One from 2018 to 2021.
Melinda Gallagher
LinkedInExperience: Lead Director, Software Development Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Lead Director, Software Development Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since October 2024, a role the profile places in Aetna Technology, Medicare. The profile also lists Lead Director, Project Program Management (2022–2024) and Director, Business Project Program Management (2020–2022) at Aetna.
Shantanu Gandhe
LinkedInExperience: Lead Director(Engineering Director)- Principal Engineering & Architecture Leader · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Lead Director (Engineering Director) and Principal Engineering & Architecture Leader at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since October 2025, where the profile says Shantanu Gandhe is building out a next gen Data & AI platform for Aetna's commercial claims, network and provider business functions. The profile also lists Director of Engineering at Amalgamated Life Insurance Company (2024–2025).
Supriya Bendre
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Software Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Executive Director, Software Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since April 2025, where the profile says Supriya Bendre provides leadership, technology strategy and oversight to deliver on CMS, federal and state interoperability regulations. The profile also lists Lead Director, Software Engineering at Aetna (2021–2025) and Sr Application Tech Specialist at Aetna (2015–2021).
Thomas Madden
LinkedInExperience: Lead Director of Engineering · Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Lead Director of Engineering at Aetna, a CVS Health Company since February 2025, where the profile says Thomas Madden leads senior and staff engineers across four teams building software applications for members, specializing in Frameworks & Utilities. The profile also lists Senior Engineering Manager (2022–2025) and Engineering Manager (2021–2022) at Aetna.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person to the kind of engineering behind your question, such as member-facing web and mobile apps, AI platforms, regulatory interoperability or shared messaging platforms. Check the dates on the relevant role before asking how things work at Aetna today.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you organize engineering teams that build web and mobile apps for health plan members?
- 02What does it take to move AI work from pilots into a production platform at a large insurer?
- 03How do you plan engineering work around federal and state interoperability rules?
Reaching Aetna engineering leaders
How can I contact one of these Aetna engineering leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: Aetna, a CVS Health Company, based on profile data retrieved on October 13, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Aetna engineering 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.
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