Ecumen Announces Cyrus Batheja as New President & CEO
By Angie Andresen | March 10, 2026
SHOREVIEW, MN (March 10, 2026) — Ecumen, a nonprofit provider of living spaces and services for older adults, today announced that its Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Dr. Cyrus Batheja, EdD, MBA, RN, FAAN, as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer.
A registered nurse and nationally recognized health care leader, Batheja brings more than two decades of experience advancing care models that integrate health care, housing and community services for vulnerable populations.
“Cyrus brings to Ecumen deep experience in health care, which first began at the bedside in senior living,” said Marcia Kull, chair of Ecumen’s Board of Trustees. “He is an entrepreneurial leader with a commitment to creating dignified living spaces and care with a focus on the people we serve and those who care for them. His experience, strategic vision and deep commitment to Ecumen’s mission-driven work are perfectly suited to guide us in this rapidly changing health care landscape.”
“The future of care must integrate innovative housing, person-centered care, and community-based support,” Batheja said. “Ecumen and our nearly 3,000 team members are uniquely positioned to create homes we would be proud to live in and provide care we would be grateful to receive.”
Prior to joining Ecumen, Batheja held senior leadership roles at UnitedHealthcare and Optum, including Chief Growth Officer of the MyConnections business, where he led large‑scale national initiatives addressing social drivers of health and improving outcomes for complex patient populations. As National Vice President of Nursing at OptumRx, he led a team of over 1,500 nurses delivering critical therapies across the country. He is also the co‑founder of Batheja Supportive Living Services.
“Ecumen has a remarkable legacy of serving older adults with dignity and compassion,” Batheja said. “I am honored to join this organization and work alongside the dedicated team members who bring that mission to life every day.”
He began his health care career after earning an Associate of Science degree from Normandale Community College. He later earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and MBA from Augsburg University and his Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas.
Batheja will officially start on March 23, 2026, and succeeds outgoing president & CEO, Shelley Kendrick, who joined Ecumen in 2012 and assumed the CEO role in 2019 after serving as Ecumen’s chief operating officer. In September 2025, she announced her retirement from Ecumen.
Cyrus Batheja - Bio
Dr. Cyrus Batheja serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ecumen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing innovative housing, health care, and community‑based services that support older adults and strengthen communities.
A registered nurse and experienced health care executive, Cyrus brings more than two decades of leadership experience focused on advancing integrated care models that connect health care, housing, and community‑based services. His work has consistently centered on improving outcomes for complex and vulnerable populations while strengthening the systems that support them.
Cyrus began his health care career after earning an Associate of Science degree from Normandale Community College, which enabled him to sit for the NCLEX and become a registered nurse. He later earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a Public Health Licensure and MBA from Augsburg University and his Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas.
Prior to joining Ecumen, Cyrus held senior leadership roles within UnitedHealthcare and Optum, divisions of UnitedHealth Group. As National Vice President of Nursing at OptumRx, he led a team of more than 1,500 nurses delivering critical therapies and care management programs to patients across the United States. His work included the development of large‑scale clinical and population health initiatives designed to improve care access, reduce costs, and enhance patient and provider experiences.
Cyrus is also the co‑founder of Batheja Supportive Living Services, a community‑based housing and care organization serving individuals with complex medical and social needs. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2022 and serves on the Board of Regents at Augsburg University.
He has received numerous recognitions including the UnitedHealth Group Sage of Clinical Service Award, the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award, and recognition by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine for Administrative Nursing Leadership.
Cyrus often describes his leadership philosophy as grounded in a simple principle: creating homes we would be proud to live in and providing care we would be grateful to receive.