Bloomington, Illinois, United States, October 2025 – Chestnut Health Systems™ has announced the appointment of Puneet Leekha, J.D., as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 6, 2025. Leekha becomes the third CEO in the organization’s history, succeeding David A. Sharar, Ph.D., who led Chestnut for eight years and served the organization for more than three decades. Dr. Sharar will continue contributing to the organization in a dual capacity as Senior Research Scientist at Chestnut’s Lighthouse Institute and Director of Business Development.
Leekha, who joined Chestnut Health Systems in 2015 as its first in-house General Counsel, later took on the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2018. Over the past decade, he has led major initiatives that strengthened business operations, employee wellness, strategic planning, and external partnerships. His leadership philosophy combines strategic clarity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to mission-driven healthcare transformation.
Bringing a visionary approach to integrated behavioral health, Leekha blends legal, operational, and business expertise with a deep dedication to improving access and outcomes in nonprofit healthcare. Sharing his perspective on the organization’s future, he said, “At the intersection of healthcare and business lies a powerful opportunity to transform lives. As an expansive not-for-profit organization and behavioral health research enterprise, we are committed to growing access, improving efficiency, and delivering care that is both cost-effective and deeply compassionate. Together, we will elevate how human services are delivered—with excellence, equity, and impact.”
Laura Haas, Chair of the Board of Directors at Chestnut Health Systems, expressed confidence in his leadership, stating, “Puneet brings a performance mindset rooted in compassion, strategic clarity, and impact. We are excited to welcome him into this role and confident in his ability to lead Chestnut into the future.”
Leekha’s educational background reflects his strong foundation in both business and law. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, with majors in Finance and Marketing. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Actively engaged in professional and civic leadership, he has served with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, The CEO Council, the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, and the Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing Dean’s Cabinet.
Recently, Leekha was featured on Chestnut’s Lighthouse Institute podcast, The Catalyst, where he shared insights into his leadership approach, strategic vision, and the evolving landscape of behavioral healthcare.
About Chestnut Health Systems
Chestnut Health Systems™ is a community-based health system providing integrated primary and behavioral health services across Illinois and Missouri, while leading nationally recognized behavioral health research through its Lighthouse Institute. The organization employs over 800 staff and generates approximately $80 million in annual revenue. Chestnut is dedicated to advancing excellence in care, equity in access, and innovation in behavioral health services.
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