In a significant move for the future of behavioral health care, Corbin Petro Carelon Behavioral Health has been named the new president of Carelon Behavioral Health, a division of Elevance Health (NYSE: ELV). A seasoned veteran in the field, Petro brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to Carelon, positioning the company for even greater success in addressing the rapidly growing challenges related to mental health, substance use, and other behavioral health conditions.
Before joining Corbin Petro Carelon Behavioral Health, Petro made her mark as the founder and CEO of Eleanor Health, a startup focused on substance use disorder treatment. Under her leadership, Eleanor Health raised over $100 million, advancing its mission to provide value-based care for individuals battling addiction. The success of Eleanor Health under Petro’s guidance speaks volumes about her ability to innovate in the behavioral health space and create sustainable solutions for addiction treatment. Her entrepreneurial achievements are complemented by her extensive experience in the public sector, where she served as the chief operating officer for the Massachusetts Department of Medicaid. In that role, Petro gained valuable insights into the complexities of healthcare systems and the importance of ensuring accessible, equitable care for underserved populations.
The announcement of Corbin Petro Carelon Behavioral Health comes at a crucial time for the company and the broader behavioral health sector. As Bryony Winn, president of Carelon Health, noted in a LinkedIn post, “Few health-related challenges are more significant (or growing faster) than those related to mental health, substance use, and other behavioral health conditions.” With the mental health crisis and substance use disorders on the rise across the United States, Carelon Behavioral Health’s mission to deliver effective, comprehensive care is more critical than ever.
Carelon Behavioral Health, formerly known as Beacon Health Options, was acquired by Elevance in 2020. The rebranding to Carelon in 2023 marked a new chapter for the company, which now serves more than 60 million members across all 50 states. The organization collaborates with health plans, employers, government agencies, providers, and individuals to provide a wide range of behavioral health services, including mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, and support for individuals dealing with complex behavioral health needs.
Corbin Petro Carelon Behavioral Health is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Carelon as it continues to expand its reach and impact in the behavioral health space. The company’s extensive national footprint, combined with Petro’s experience in both entrepreneurial and public sector settings, provides a strong foundation for tackling some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today. In fact, Carelon Behavioral Health’s scale and breadth uniquely position it to make a significant difference in the lives of millions of Americans grappling with mental health and substance use disorders.
Reflecting on her new role, Petro shared her thoughts in a LinkedIn post, stating, “Carelon Behavioral Health uniquely sits at the intersection of risk and care delivery as one of the largest behavioral health companies in the country—scale and breadth that can drive significant impact.” Petro went on to explain how her perspective has evolved over the years, particularly through advising more than 20 companies and investors in the healthcare sector. Her experience working with both small startups and large, established companies has given her a unique understanding of the challenges faced by leaders in the behavioral health industry. Petro emphasized the importance of mission-driven leadership, noting that many of the founders and leaders she’s worked with are driven by a passion to solve complex problems at scale—an ethos she fully embraces as she takes the reins at Carelon.
Petro’s appointment also marks the end of Glenn MacFarlane’s tenure as president and CEO of Carelon Behavioral Health. MacFarlane led the company from 2021 until July 2024, overseeing the company’s growth and its continued commitment to improving behavioral health services across the nation. As Petro steps into this new leadership role, she inherits a company that has already made tremendous strides in expanding access to care, but also one that faces the ongoing challenge of addressing the evolving behavioral health needs of the American population.
Elevance Health has placed a significant emphasis on its behavioral health initiatives in recent years. In 2024, the company secured two major behavioral health-focused state contracts worth up to $740 million in the first quarter of the year. These contracts are a clear indication of Elevance’s commitment to scaling its behavioral health services and ensuring that millions of Americans receive the care they need. With Corbin Petro Carelon Behavioral Health at the helm, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and continue its important work in mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
As the behavioral health landscape continues to evolve, Petro’s leadership will be essential in guiding Carelon Behavioral Health through the complexities of this rapidly changing field. Her deep understanding of the intersection between healthcare delivery, risk management, and mission-driven leadership will be instrumental in ensuring that Carelon can continue to meet the diverse needs of its members while driving lasting, positive change in the broader healthcare ecosystem.
The future of Corbin Petro Carelon Behavioral Health looks bright under her leadership. With her proven track record in both the public and private sectors, along with her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of individuals struggling with behavioral health conditions, Petro is poised to lead Carelon to even greater success. As Carelon continues to expand its services and impact, there is no doubt that Petro will play a central role in shaping the future of behavioral health care in the United States.
Through her leadership, Carelon Behavioral Health is set to make an even more profound impact on the lives of individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, ensuring that more people across the country have access to the support and care they deserve.
