Marquis Who’s Who Honors Joshua Phelps for Transformative Leadership in Health Insurance, Actuarial Science, and Artificial Intelligence

JACKSONVILLE, FL, August 22, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Joshua Phelps, FSA, CHIE, CERA, MAAA, an award-winning healthcare executive and actuarial leader, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for his exceptional contributions to the health insurance and artificial intelligence industries. Known for his rapid rise from entry-level analyst to C-suite executive, Mr. Phelps has spearheaded multi-billion-dollar actuarial strategies, pioneered AI-driven innovation in insurance analytics, and mentored the next generation of actuarial talent across the nation.

Mr. Phelps currently serves as a senior consultant at Gradient AI, where he drives enterprise-scale initiatives that accelerate adoption of advanced AI-powered underwriting and claims tools across national health plans. In this role, he leads efforts to ensure both existing and prospective clients clearly understand the capabilities, functionality, and measurable value of Gradient AI’s solutions. By aligning advanced analytics with client strategy, Mr. Phelps enables organizations to improve operational efficiency, enhance decision-making, and achieve sustainable competitive advantages.

Previously, Mr. Phelps was vice president and chief actuary for Medicare at Florida Blue, where he was responsible for the actuarial strategy and performance of multi-billion-dollar Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D Standalone lines of business. In addition to directing CMS bid submissions and rate filings, he served as appointed actuary — entrusted by the Board of Directors to attest to the financial soundness of the organization’s actuarial assets and liabilities. Leading a large team of professionals, Mr. Phelps aligned actuarial operations with enterprise growth and margin objectives while supporting key quality initiatives such as STARs performance, CAHPS improvement, and HEDIS excellence.

Mr. Phelps’s earlier career at AvMed, Inc. from 2013 to 2021 showcases his rapid advancement from entry-level analyst to director of actuarial and underwriting in under eight years. In that role, he managed actuarial and underwriting strategy for all lines of business — Individual, Small Group, MEWA, Large Group (self-funded and fully insured), and Medicare Advantage — while overseeing reserve development, network analytics, rate filings, and value-based provider reporting. His leadership consistently delivered strategies that balanced risk management with market competitiveness.

One of Mr. Phelps’s most distinguished career achievements was earning his Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) designation in a record-setting 26 months, placing him among the top 100 fastest achievers globally which he regards as his second greatest professional milestone — surpassed only by the pride he takes in mentoring and advancing the careers of dozens of actuarial professionals.

A graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in statistics, Mr. Phelps has also completed the Certified Healthcare Insurance Executive (CHIE) designation, the Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA) credential, and executive education at Northwestern University through America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Executive Leadership Program.

Committed to civic engagement, Mr. Phelps has served on the United Way’s Community Investment Council, guiding the allocation of capital funding to community charities. He has also advanced Alzheimer’s research by developing custom process-automation software that increased research efficiency in university labs.

Mr. Phelps’s long-term professional goal is to drive transformative and lasting improvements to the American healthcare system — leveraging data science, actuarial expertise, and innovative technology to expand access, reduce costs, and improve quality of care.

About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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