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Puneet Leekha named CEO of Chestnut Health Systems
Leekha, who joined the Illinois organization in 2015, succeeds David Sharar after eight years in the top role.
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Pranavi Sharma - Wed, 08, Oct 2025
- 03:19 EDT
- 12
Puneet Leekha, CEO, Chestnut Health Systems / Chestnut Health Systems
Illinois-based Chestnut Health Systems announced the appointment of Puneet Leekha as its third Chief Executive Officer, effective October 6, 2025. Leekha succeeds David A. Sharar, Ph.D., who served as CEO for eight years and has been with the organization for more than three decades.
Dr. Sharar will continue at Chestnut in dual roles as Senior Research Scientist at the Lighthouse Institute and Director of Business Development.
Leekha, who first joined Chestnut in 2015 as its inaugural General Counsel, later became Chief Operating Officer in 2018. In that capacity, he led initiatives to strengthen operations, improve employee wellness, and expand strategic partnerships.
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"At the intersection of healthcare and business lies a powerful opportunity to transform lives," Leekha said in a statement. "As an expansive not-for-profit organization and behavioral health research enterprise, we are committed to growing access, improving efficiency, and delivering care that is both cost-effective and deeply compassionate."
He added that the goal is to “elevate how human services are delivered—with excellence, equity, and impact.”
Laura Haas, Chair of Chestnut’s Board of Directors, welcomed the appointment, calling Leekha a leader with both vision and empathy. "Puneet brings a performance mindset rooted in compassion, strategic clarity, and impact," she said. "We are excited to welcome him into this role and confident in his ability to lead Chestnut into the future."
Leekha holds a Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, where he majored in Finance and Marketing. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Beyond his executive duties, Leekha is active in Illinois’s healthcare community, serving with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, The CEO Council, the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, and the Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing Dean’s Cabinet.
Chestnut Health Systems operates across Illinois and Missouri, providing integrated primary and behavioral health services. The organization employs roughly 800 staff and reports annual revenues of about $80 million. It is also known for its behavioral health research through the Lighthouse Institute.
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