Zahid Salman, President and CEO at GreenShield, joins Imran Mian on Behind the Growth to unpack the strategy behind building Canada’s first payer-provider platform, and how a nonprofit model is enabling innovation at enterprise scale.

Zahid opens with the personal experiences that shaped his purpose-driven approach to leadership and shares how he moved from a traditional actuarial career into healthcare transformation. He breaks down GreenShield’s initial hypothesis: that Canadians would benefit from a single organization delivering both insurance and care. He further sheds light into how they moved early, acquiring eight companies in 18 months to accelerate the shift from coverage to service delivery during the pandemic.

He also discusses the internal and external complexities of that pivot, from winning the trust of plan members and advisors to unifying employees behind a new mission. Zahid also shares how GreenShield Ventures helps the organization look beyond its near-term roadmap, building IP and capabilities around where the market is heading, not just where it is today.

Throughout the conversation, Zahid reflects on how identity shapes leadership, why DEI remains central to GreenShield’s strategy, and what it takes to drive real impact in underserved communities. He closes with insights on AI's potential in proactive care, the growing role of private sector in delivering public healthcare, and the discipline required to scale without losing sight of purpose.

Zahid also explores:
- Diversifying with success
- Betting on a model before demand
- Gaining trust as a healthcare insurer
- Scaling impact without chasing profit
- The role of tech in unlocking M&A value

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