Elisa Kirkhorn
Vice President of Strategy & Growth, Chief Growth Officer, Magellan Federal
Over the past year, Elisa Kirkhorn helped build a more disciplined, mission-first growth engine for Magellan’s federal market, connecting strategy and execution to reliably scale services to support the customers and communities Magellan serves.
“We’ve strengthened our ways of working and prioritized practical, implementation-ready innovation that improves access and saves costs,” Kirkhorn said.
She’s also especially proud of building a team deeply mission-connected — veterans, military spouses and former public servants — who bring lived understanding to the work every day and translate it into solutions that meet real-world operational demands.
“Elisa has been instrumental in shaping Magellan’s long-term federal growth strategy, helping us responsibly expand our reach while staying grounded in mission, customer trust, and outcomes that truly matter,” said James Thornbrugh, president of Magellan Federal.
In terms of aligning with the current administration’s priorities, Magellan is focused on delivering exceptional service and adjusting based on measurable outcomes. Kirkhorn’s team drives disciplined execution models that strengthen readiness and resilience across the missions it supports. By standardizing how they operate, reinforcing strong governance and consistently using data to inform decisions, Kirkhorn and her team are improving performance and effectiveness. This disciplined approach allows them to deliver high-quality outcomes, operate more efficiently and be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
“The work I’m most proud of is building strategies that extend access to care and translate mission intent into real, measurable outcomes at scale for the communities we serve,” Kirkhorn said.
Why Watch
In 2026, Kirkhorn and her team are focused on scaling and expanding high-impact mental health and wellbeing support for military and federal civilian populations amid sustained and increasing workforce demands. The team’s deep experience supporting these communities during periods of high operational tempo allows Magellan to deliver quickly and effectively when demand increases.
“Our priority is ensuring access, quality, and continuity of care when it matters most, especially during moments of peak stress, transition, and mission complexity,” Kirkhorn said.
Fun fact: After raising four children, Kirkhorn will soon be entering a new chapter as an empty nester and taking time to reflect on how much that season shaped both her perspective and her leadership. Stepping back has reminded Kirkhorn of the value of empathy, patience and adaptability.
