After a lengthy illness, Michael F. Neidorff passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022, surrounded by his family and friends. On Sunday, those family and friends came together along with hundreds of invited guests, dignitaries, and colleagues to celebrate his love for them, his visionary legacy for transformational healthcare, commitment to community, philanthropy, and inclusion.

Remembering Michael F. Neidorff

Neidorff was Centene Corporation’s visionary leader for more than 25 years. He built a remarkable American business success story and his commitment to providing affordable, high-quality health care to the most vulnerable people transformed lives across the globe.

Michael Neidorff joined Centene as CEO in 1996 and led the company in its remarkable trajectory from a $40 million single health plan to a multinational $125 billion health care enterprise serving 25 million members. Centene is ranked #24 in the Fortune 500, #57 in the Fortune 500 Global list, and #7 on the 2019 Fortune Change the World list. Centene has grown to nearly 76,000 employees serving all 50 states and 3 international countries.

The memorial service and celebration included in-person remarks as well as multiple video tributes from dignitaries in Saint Louis and throughout the country, including former President Bill Clinton, Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, former Senator Claire McCaskill, broadcaster Bob Costas, National Urban League CEO Marc Morial, World Wide Technologies Chairman David Steward, and many other dignitaries, elected officials, business execu1ves, and civic leaders.

Michael Neidorff and philanthropy

Michael Neidorff was one of the most philanthropic individuals in the country. His philanthropy and personal generosity transformed the non-profit landscape throughout the state of Missouri and across the nation. His continual support for hundreds of not-for-profit organizations was widely celebrated.

He was dedicated to supporting arts and civic organizations. He served as chairman of the board of trustees for the National Urban League and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis. For more than 30 years, he served on the board of directors for the Greater St. Louis Boy Scouts of America and on the board of Concordance Academy.

Michael served as chairman of the board of trustees for his alma mater, Trinity University, in San Antonio, Texas, and in 2021, Trinity University named its business school, the Michael Neidorff School of Business in his honor.

Having had a love for the arts, Michael served on the board of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as a trustee for the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and as Treasurer of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees.

Michael was raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Trinity University and St. Francis College with a Master of Arts degree.

You can learn more about Neidorff and see additional video tributes online.