Mr. Watson leads the financial strategy and operations for Allina Health, bringing a strong track record of building relationships and leading business and financial transformations. He was instrumental in the organization reporting a positive operating margin during his first year as CFO in 2024, coming on the heels of multiple years of operating losses. The turnaround featured a $370 million improvement in income compared with 2023, a result made possible in part by innovative partnerships in laboratory services, revenue cycle management and information services. Mr. Watson was a key leader in developing internal committees focused on reducing expenses and managing staffing. In 2024, the system noted a 28.7% increase in surgeries at ambulatory surgery centers, allowing more patients to receive care in a more cost-effective setting. He was also invaluable in navigating a cyberattack and integral in developing the organization’s new five-year strategic plan. Before Allina Health, Mr. Watson served as interim system CFO at San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare, senior vice president and CFO at Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health and CFO at San Francisco-based Dignity Health and Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health’s Southwest division. He was named a “CFO of the Year” honoree by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal in 2025 and recognized by HealthLeaders among its “CFOs to Watch.”
