December 19, 2025 – The Federation of American Hospitals has chosen Charlene MacDonald to serve as the next president and CEO of the organization, which represents the nation’s for-profit hospitals. She takes on the role Jan. 1.
MacDonald will become the fourth person to serve as the federation’s CEO since its founding in 1966.She succeeds Chip Kahn, who announced his plans to retire earlier this year. Kahn has led the organization for more than 24 years.
MacDonald joined the federation in 2023 and has been serving as its EVP of public affairs. She has been leading the group’s government affairs and advocacy efforts, and has also managed the federation’s finance and operations teams.
Now, she will lead the federation at a time when hospitals have been pushing for Washington to do more to support health systems, and as hospitals brace for potentially big changes in how the government pays for hospital services.
MacDonald brings significant experience in Capitol Hill. She held policy roles working for the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. She served in the House for several years, eventually working as senior policy advisor in the House office of the minority whip. She also as a senior policy advisor for the Senate budget committee.
Before joining the federation, MacDonald served as chief government affairs officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. She also held a leadership role at FTI Consulting, where she led the healthcare and life sciences sector…