Kana is the director of brain health for the McKinsey Health Institute, where she specializes in behavioral health, public health, and delivery-system reform. Kana has more than 20 years of experience as a federal executive in mental-health and substance-use policy, data, programs, and practice improvement. Kana is a global thought leader and accomplished executive with a strong record of achieving public-policy goals, delivering programmatic impact, and inspiring organizational and social change.
Since joining McKinsey in 2019, Kana cofounded the Center for Societal Benefit through Healthcare to address underinvested areas of health with a focus on behavioral health. In addition, Kana has supported a wide range of clients, including government entities, payers, providers, investors, employers, and not-for-profit organizations to better serve people with, or at risk for, mental and substance-use disorders.
Prior to joining McKinsey, Kana was acting administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, where she provided executive direction and policy leadership. She also served as senior advisor in the US health and human services agency, where she provided strategic guidance on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
Prior to entering government, Kana did health research and clinical services with a focus on mental health and trauma for minority patients. She has received awards in recognition of her work, including the Arthur S. Flemming Award, the American College of Mental Health Administration King Davis Award, and the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service.
Published work
“Mental and physical health equity: A ‘medical civil right’,” McKinsey Health Institute, May 2024
“In search of self and something bigger: A spiritual health exploration,” McKinsey Health Institute, May 2024
“A ‘universal human right’: Quality mental healthcare for children,” McKinsey Health Institute, April 2024
“Harnessing mindful philanthropy to improve population health,” McKinsey Health Institute, October 2023
“Gen Z mental health: The impact of tech and social media,” McKinsey Health Institute, April 2023
“The power of caring adults: Nicole Carroll on overcoming childhood trauma,” McKinsey Health Institute, April 2023
“Prioritizing brain health: Scaling what works to add years to life and life to years,” McKinsey Health Institute, November 2022
“Heat waves, the war in Ukraine, and stigma: Gen Z’s perspectives on mental health,” McKinsey Health Institute, September 2022
“Addressing employee burnout: Are you solving the right problem?,” McKinsey & Company, May 2022
“Addressing the unprecedented behavioral-health challenges facing Generation Z,” McKinsey & Company, January 2022
“COVID-19 and burnout are straining the mental health of employed parents,” McKinsey & Company, December 2021
“How affordable is mental healthcare? The long-term impact on financial health,” McKinsey & Company, October 2021
“How employers can improve their approach to mental health at work,” McKinsey & Company, September 2021
“Improving mental health: An interview with One Mind’s Garen Staglin,” McKinsey & Company, August 2021
“Overcoming stigma: Three strategies toward better mental health in the workplace,” McKinsey Quarterly, July 2021
“Returning to work: Keys to a psychologically safer workplace,” McKinsey & Company, July 2021
“National surveys reveal disconnect between employees and employers around mental health need,” McKinsey & Company, April 2021
“COVID-19 and rural communities: Protecting rural lives and health,” McKinsey & Company, March 2021
“Insights on utilization of behavioral health services in the context of COVID-19,” McKinsey & Company, March 2021
“Unlocking whole person care through behavioral health,” McKinsey & Company, February 2021
“COVID-19 and behavioral health: Consequences for companies and employees,” McKinsey & Company, December 2020
“Strong minds, strong futures: Behavioral health for the next generation,” McKinsey & Company, November 2020
“Understanding the hidden costs of COVID-19’s potential impact on US healthcare,” McKinsey & Company, September 2020
“A holistic approach for the US behavioral health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic,” McKinsey & Company, August 2020
“Insights on racial and ethnic health inequity in the context of COVID-19,” McKinsey & Company, July 2020
“National employer survey reveals behavioral health in a COVID-19 era as a major concern,” McKinsey & Company, June 2020
“The implications of COVID-19 for vulnerable populations,” McKinsey & Company, May 2020
“Returning to resilience: The impact of COVID-19 on mental health and substance use,” McKinsey & Company, April 2020
“Insights on mental health from a 2019 McKinsey Consumer survey,” McKinsey & Company, February 2020
What is Behavioral Health Worth?, Public Health Reports, January 2015
Past experience
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Senior advisor
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Acting administrator, principal deputy
Education
UCLA
MA, clinical psychology
BA, psychology