Rachael McKinney, president of Sutter Health’s Greater Sacramento Division, has been honored as one of the Sacramento Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs for 2025. This prestigious recognition celebrates her outstanding leadership, dedication to healthcare, and unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care while fostering a culture of collaboration at Sutter.
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive this recognition among such an esteemed group of leaders,” McKinney said. “My career at Sutter Health, which began in 2004 as an administrative fellow, has been a journey of growth, learning, and deep commitment to our mission of putting patients first and caring for our people always. I am incredibly grateful for the investments that Sutter has made in my development as a leader and for the opportunities I have had to contribute to shaping the future of healthcare in our community, and I am proud of the incredible work we are doing.”
McKinney’s leadership is defined by her people-centered approach—both on the patients Sutter serves and the people she serves alongside within the organization. Her focus on building strong relationships, removing barriers, and cultivating psychological safety within a culture of excellence is a hallmark of her leadership. McKinney is especially passionate about expanding access to care for the communities Sutter serves. As CEO of Sutter Davis Hospital, she launched the vision to increase access to care through a largescale hospital expansion project which was completed in 2023.
In her current role, she and her team have a bold vision to serve more than one million patients in Greater Sacramento by 2030 and will be opening several new locations in 2025 and beyond. McKinney is also deeply committed to mentoring future leaders, contributing to Sutter Health’s Administrative Fellows Program and Women’s Employee Resource Group. She is also a member of the California Association of Healthcare Leaders and provides formal and informal mentorship to support emerging leaders’ growth and development.
In 2023, McKinney was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of Women Hospital Presidents and CEOs to Know, and also earned a spot on Diversity MBA’s Top 100 Under 50 Executives and Emerging Leaders list. In 2021, McKinney was recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal with a “Women Who Mean Business” award, and in 2019, was selected for World 50 Next Leader.
McKinney’s dedication to leadership extends beyond Sutter Health, as she serves on various boards, including the Child Abuse Prevention Center and the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. She also sits on the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California’s Board of Directors, the Go Red Campaign Leadership Team and the Sacramento Host Committee.
McKinney is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health fitness with a minor in economics from Gustavus Adolphus College and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota.
This recognition by the Sacramento Business Journal highlights McKinney’s exceptional leadership and her ongoing commitment to excellence in healthcare. Her vision continues to inspire positive change within Sutter and the broader community, making a lasting impact on the lives of patients and families throughout the Sacramento region and Northern California.
