'A richness of opinions': What age diversity brings to leadership

Kristin Kuchno – Becker’s Hospital Review

Age diversity in the University of Kansas Health System's leadership team is valued.

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It brings a "richness of opinions and discussions," Terry Rusconi, chief culture officer of the system's Kansas City division, told Becker's.

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This blend of ages comes at a time when age trends within the workforce are pointing upward: the average age of C-suite executives climbed to 57 in 2023, and older Americans are projected to outnumber younger ones within a decade. Across industries, the average CEO is 59, according to research from consulting firm Korn Ferry.

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Not every organization aligns with this trend. Take Aidan Hettler, the 24-year-old CEO of Julesburg, Colo.-based Sedgwick County Health Center.

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"It's a privilege to be here," Mr. Hettler told Becker's in February. "I'm very lucky as a young person to be in this role. And I recognize, too, that I've got a role in establishing the precedent of what young people can do for places like this and anywhere."

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As for KU Health, President and CEO Bob Page has held leadership roles in the system for over 25 years and became CEO in 2007.

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But it's not so much about age for the system, Mr. Rusconi noted — it's about a deep-rooted understanding of the organization and its history and sustaining consistency in culture. This is what makes passing down historical knowledge so important, he said.

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The blend of folks who have been at the system for decades and those who are newer make for better outcomes, he added.

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"It may prolong the discussions a little bit, but at the end of the day we end up with a better decision than we would have if it was driven by one generation versus another," Mr. Rusconi said.