Gopal Khanna is an accomplished corporate executive, entrepreneur, and distinguished public servant with a proven track record as a serial transformational change agent. His career spans over several decades, during which Gopal Khanna has made significant contributions at the intersection of healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI), and government. His expertise is particularly focused on driving innovation and transformative change in both public and private sectors, with a passion for improving healthcare delivery, increasing accessibility, and leveraging technology to advance public policy.
Throughout his career, Gopal Khanna has held senior executive positions in both the corporate and government sectors, launched startup ventures, and served as a trusted advisor to political and industry leaders. His leadership is defined by his ability to develop and execute forward-thinking strategies that generate value for stakeholders, organizations, and the broader public.
One of Gopal Khanna’s most notable public-sector roles was his tenure as the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Serving in this position from May 2017 to January 2021 during the administration of President Donald J. Trump, Gopal Khanna led AHRQ’s mission to produce evidence that makes healthcare safer, of higher quality, and more accessible to the American people. He helped direct initiatives that aimed to improve healthcare outcomes through research, policy development, and evidence-based practices, addressing critical issues related to patient safety and healthcare delivery.
Before his leadership at AHRQ, Gopal Khanna directed Illinois’ Healthcare and Human Services Innovation Incubator (HHSi2), an initiative designed to promote innovation and improve service delivery within the state’s healthcare and human services sectors under the leadership of Governor Bruce Rauner. Prior to that, Gopal Khanna served as a member of Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Cabinet, where he became the state’s first Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Commissioner, leading efforts to modernize Minnesota’s technology infrastructure and streamline government operations. His work in Minnesota was critical in advancing the state’s information technology initiatives, improving public service delivery, and promoting data-driven governance.
Earlier in his career, Gopal Khanna held several senior positions in the administration of President George W. Bush, including serving as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the United States Peace Corps, and as CFO of the Executive Office of the President at the White House. In these roles, he was responsible for overseeing the financial and technological operations of key federal agencies, driving improvements in efficiency, and ensuring that government services were delivered effectively to American citizens.
In addition to his public service, Gopal Khanna has been an influential advisor to business leaders, technology innovators, and nonprofit organizations. He has worked with numerous CXOs and board members across diverse sectors, helping them pivot, scale, and drive value for customers and stakeholders. A former corporate executive, Gopal Khanna is no stranger to launching high-tech startup ventures. In fact, he has even started ventures from his basement, showcasing his entrepreneurial drive and innovation.
Gopal Khanna is also the Executive-in-Residence at the Medical Industry Leadership Institute (MILI) at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. In this role, he shares his wealth of experience and knowledge with aspiring leaders in healthcare and life sciences. He is also the founder of the Health AI Institute, where he is leading efforts to support the development and application of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare systems. The Institute aims to drive collaboration among industry leaders and academic researchers to advance healthcare solutions, specifically in the realm of AI, data analytics, and precision medicine.
Further contributing to the healthcare ecosystem, Gopal Khanna is working with industry leaders and academic institutions to establish a nonpolitical, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This platform will allow healthcare and life sciences leaders to come together, deliberate, design, and develop strategies to further excellence within Minnesota’s healthcare ecosystem.
Throughout his distinguished career, Gopal Khanna has been recognized nationally for his innovative and transformational work in both government and industry. He was listed by Twin Cities Business as one of the “200 Minnesotans You Should Know” and was honored in Government Technology’s list of the Top 25 public sector innovators as a “Doer, Dreamer, and Driver.” His contributions continue to inspire and influence the healthcare, technology, and public policy sectors, and Gopal Khanna remains a key figure in the drive toward improving healthcare delivery in the U.S.
