2026 Business Leaders of the Year: Ryan Kruger

Ryan Kruger finds that strong leadership looks a lot like strong structure. As executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Jordan Valley Health, he says he finds motivation in building sound workflows that replaces less effective, inconsistent solutions.

“I have helped in developing and strengthening clinic workflows and operations, improving policy readiness and helping teams understand the ‘why’ behind a change and feel proud by helping grow people,” Kruger says.

Kruger says he values moments when a team comes together.

“One leadership achievement I am especially proud of was helping my team bring the very first state-licensed pharmacy lockers to our Tampa Street location and across the finish line,” he says. “It required strong collaboration, persistence and shared ownership to move the project from concept to implementation. More than the lockers themselves, I am proud of how the team came together to deliver a solution that improved patient access and reflected our commitment to innovation and service.”

According to past Springfield Business Journal coverage, Kruger’s role includes overseeing human resources and guiding initiatives to support Jordan Valley Health’s future growth while continuing to enhance patient care and operational excellence.

Kruger’s leadership philosophy is to lead with clarity, accountability and heart. He believes people do their best work when expectations are clear, when they understand the purpose behind their roles and when they know their leader will support them while still holding the standard.

“I want my people to be seen, and I stand beside them, not in front of them,” he says.

He says leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. To him, it is about creating direction, removing barriers, making hard decisions when needed and building trust by doing what you say you are going to do. With trust as the foundation, he believes creativity, loyalty and human dignity have room to thrive.

Kruger also emphasizes belonging. He believes people should not have to spend energy protecting themselves from politics, judgment or humiliation. To create a true sense of belonging, he says leaders must choose empathy over ego.

That same approach guides how he shows up in the community. Kruger says he stays engaged, builds relationships and looks for ways to contribute beyond his immediate role. He defines community leadership as being dependable, service-minded and willing to step in where he can make a difference, whether that means serving on boards, mentoring others, connecting people to resources or helping create opportunities for growth.

For Kruger, the goal is to lead in a way that strengthens both the people around him and the broader community Jordan Valley Health serves.