Imagine overseeing a team of more than 150 financial professionals and providing direct oversight to 10 executives. That is just another day in the office for Darren Moquist, North Dakota ’00, chief financial officer for UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual.
As CFO, Moquist manages more than $55 billion in revenue for the Twin Cities based healthcare giant, the largest provider of health benefits to employers and individuals in the nation.
While the company’s financials are impressive, Moquist’s position as a top executive with the company at the young age of 40 is equally admirable. “I have always been a person who sets goals. And when I set a goal I do everything I can to learn what I need to learn and apply that knowledge to make it happen,” said Moquist.
Joining UnitedHealthcare in 2005, Moquist quickly climbed the ladder of success from a director in corporate development to vice president of employer & individual finance and, eventually, into the position of CFO that he holds today.
“What I love about my job is that every day is a new and interesting challenge. As a member of our senior leadership team, I help lead business strategy, development and planning. I also focus on developing other financial leaders in our organization and growing my team members to take on new roles,” Moquist explained.
A native of Grand Forks, Moquist has been immersed in the healthcare industry all of his life. His father, Dale Moquist, ’71, was a family physician and an inspiration to Darren. “I watched my dad growing up and the passion he had for being a family doctor. I knew that whatever I did, I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives like he has,” Moquist said.
Though Moquist didn’t choose exactly the same path as his father, he feels right at home being a leader in the healthcare industry. In his role with UnitedHealthcare, he is dedicated to developing new and innovative ways to improve the health system and enhance health outcomes for more Americans.
“I am humbled to work for such an amazing company and credit my undergrad education at the University of North Dakota for providing the foundation,” Moquist said.
As an accounting and business administration double major at UND, Moquist said he was taught to think through problems, take in a wealth of knowledge and better himself; all virtues that serve him well each day. “As I look back on how I have progressed through life and my career I think of family. I think of UND. And, I think of North Dakota and the hard work ethic that was instilled in me,” he said.
Moquist adds that he is extremely honored to receive the Young Alumni Achievement Award from his alma mater and “never would have dreamed of this” as a kid growing up in Grand Forks.
“I attribute my success to so many people; my family, mentors at UND, colleagues along the way. They all have played a part in the person I am today. I am grateful.”
