Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.17

                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                         ------------------------------

           THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 30th day of October,
                                                           ----        -------
  2000, by and between CENTENE CORPORATION, a Wisconsin corporation (hereinafter
  called the "Company"), and Joseph P. Drozda (hereinafter called the
  "Executive").

           1. Employment. Company hereby employs Executive as Vice President,
              ----------
  Chief Medical Officer (title subject to approval by the Board of Directors)
  with such other or additional titles or positions as Company's President, Vice
  Presidents, or Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine.

           2. Duties. During the employment period, Executive shall faithfully
              ------
  perform his duties to the best of his ability and in accordance with the
  directions and orders (and to the satisfaction) of the Company's President,
  Plan Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Board of Directors of Company, and he
  shall devote his full working time, attention and energy to the performance of
  his duties.

           In addition to the duties assigned to his by the Company's President
  and/or Plan Presidents and/or Vice Presidents and/or Board of Directors of
  Company, Executive shall perform such other duties as are commensurate with
  his position and responsibilities, including without limitation, exercising
  his best judgment; safeguarding and saving from waste the assets of Company;
  and following, maintaining, and implementing the business plans, budgets,
  business procedures and directives established and promulgated by Company, as
  modified or amended from time to time.

           Except as otherwise provided herein, Executive shall not render
  services, directly or indirectly, to any other person or organization without
  his Supervisor's prior written consent and shall not engage in any activity
  that would interfere significantly with the faithful performance of his duties
  thereunder. Executive may perform minor services for which he does not receive
  compensation, provided that the activity does not conflict with the provisions
  of his duties, without written consent.

           3. Compensation. As compensation for all services rendered by
              ------------
  Executive under this agreement, company shall pay to Executive, in accordance
  with its then prevailing payroll practices, a salary at the annualized rate of
  One Hundred Eighty Dollars ($180,000.00), less applicable payroll deductions.
  This salary may be adjusted from time to time as directed by the Executive's
  immediate supervisor or the Company's or Plan's President.

           4. Other Employment Benefits. During the Employment Period:
              -------------------------

              (a)   Company shall reimburse Executive monthly for actual,
                    reasonable, and necessary out-of-pocket expenses he incurs
                    on Company's business in compliance with company policies
                    and procedures.

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          (b)    Executive shall participate in such of Company's Executive
                 plans or fringe benefit arrangements as provided for all
                 Executives, subject to their terms and conditions.

          (c)    Vacation Leave. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be
                 --------------
                 entitled to a number of vacation days as established in the
                 standard company policy for senior executives. Executive shall
                 accrue and receive full compensation and benefits during his
                 vacation leave periods. Vacation leave shall be taken at such
                 times as do not have an adverse effect on the operations or
                 transactions of the Company or otherwise as Executive and his
                 immediate supervisor shall agree.

          (d)    Bonus Plan. The annual target bonus is 30% of base salary with
                 ----------
                 potential to exceed that if and when the company exceeds its
                 Annual Operating Plan criteria. This award is at the discretion
                 of the Company's President. The Bonus Plan may be adjusted from
                 time to time as directed by the Company's President.

      5.  Termination of Employment.
          -------------------------

          (a)    Termination for Cause. If the Company terminates Executive's
                 ---------------------
                 employment For Cause, or if Executive resigns from his
                 employment pursuant to Subsection 5(b), Executive shall be
                 entitled only to payment of that portion of his Salary earned
                 through and including the Termination Date or the Resignation
                 Date at the rate of Salary in effect at that time.

          (b)    Resignation. Executive may resign from his employment with the
                 -----------
                 Company at any time by providing written notice of his
                 resignation to his immediate supervisor at least thirty (30)
                 days before the Resignation Date, in which case he shall be
                 entitled to compensation as provided in Subsection 5(a).

          (c)    Death. If Executive dies during his employment, or Executive is
                 -----
                 entitled to receive payments from the Company pursuant to
                 Section 5(a) at the time of his death, Executive's estate or
                 personal representative shall be entitled to receive that
                 portion of the Salary, at the rate in effect at Executive's
                 death, that Executive earned through and including the date of
                 Executive's death.

          (d)    Disability. If Executive becomes Permanently Disabled, the
                 ----------
                 Board may terminate Executive's employment by providing written
                 notice to Executive at least 72 hours before the Termination
                 Date. If Executive resigns from employment with the Company as
                 a result of a Permanent Disability, or the Company terminates
                 Executive's employment as a result of a Permanent Disability,
                 Executive shall be entitled to receive that portion of his
                 Salary, at the rate in effect at the time he became Permanently
                 Disabled, that he earned through and including the

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          Termination Date or Resignation Date, as applicable; provided,
          however, the amount due and payable for the period on and after the
          date on which Executive became Permanently Disabled shall not be less
          than the portion of the Salary that would have been paid to his if he
          had continued in the Company's employment for the 180 day period
          following the date on which he became Permanently Disabled.

     (e)  Compensation Following Termination. If the Company terminates
          ----------------------------------
          Executive's employment other than For Cause the Company shall pay
          Executive that portion of his Salary earned through and including the
          Termination Date or the Resignation Date at the rate of Salary in
          effect at that time, plus an amount equal to fifty two (52) weeks of
          his annualized Salary paid in accordance with the then current payroll
          practices, and conditioned upon Executive's signing, and not revoking,
          a complete Release of any and all claims. In such case, Company shall
          pay for twelve (12) of the eighteen (18) months health and dental
          insurance continuation coverage to which Executive is entitled under
          the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Public Law
          99-272, Title X (COBRA).

     (f)  Change of Control: In the event of a Change in Control which results
          -----------------
          in (a) the termination of Executive's position or in the reduction of
          Executive's compensation, or (b) a request by the Company or the
          surviving entity of the transaction that resulted in the Change in
          Control that Executive relocate outside of the Metropolitan St. Louis
          area which relocation Executive refuses, then Executive shall receive
          severance equal to fifty two (52) weeks either as a lump sum payment
          or salary continuance, rather than the severance paid pursuant to
          paragraph 5(e) above, but conditioned upon Executive's signing, and
          not revoking, a complete Release of any and all claims. In such case,
          Company shall pay for twelve (12) of the eighteen (18) months health
          and dental insurance continuation coverage to which Executive is
          entitled under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
          1985, Public Law 99-272, Title X (COBRA) In addition, the Company
          agrees to pay for reasonable outplacement services arranged by the
          Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no payment or payments shall
          be made under this Agreement which would be an "excess parachute
          payment" as defined in (S) 280G(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of
          1986, as amended. Payments which would be "excess parachute payments"
          shall be proportionately reduced so that no portion of any payment
          shall constitute an "excess parachute payment." For purposes hereof a
          "Change in Control" of the Company shall be deemed to occur if (i) any
          "person" (as such term is used in (S)(S) 13(d) and 14(d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")),
          other than (A) persons who, at the date of this Agreement, are the
          beneficial owners of 25% or more of the Company's Shares, or (B) a
          group including Shareholder, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
          defined in Rule 13d-3 under the

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          Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
          representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power
          of the Company's then outstanding securities, or (ii) the Shareholders
          of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with
          any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which
          would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding
          immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
          outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
          surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting
          power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
          outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

   6.  Covenants.
       ---------

       (a)     Non-competition by Executive. The Executive acknowledges that the
               ----------------------------
               list of the Company's customers and customer contacts as it may
               exist from time to time are valuable, special, and unique assets
               of the Company's business. During the period of nine (9) months
               immediately after the termination of Executive's employment with
               the Company for any cause whatsoever, Executive will not, either
               directly or indirectly, either for Executive or for any other
               person, firm, Company or corporation, call upon, solicit, divert,
               or take away, or attempt to solicit, divert or take away any of
               the Executives, customers, prospective customers, or business, of
               the Company upon whom Executive called, solicited, catered, or
               became acquainted during Executive's employment with the Company.

       (b)     Return of Company Records and Property. Executive agrees that
               --------------------------------------
               upon termination of Executive's employment, for any cause
               whatsoever, Executive will surrender to the Company in good
               condition all property and equipment belonging to Company and all
               records kept by Executive containing the names, addresses or any
               other information with regard to customers or customer contacts
               of the Company, or concerning any operational, financial or other
               documents given to Executive during Executive's employment with
               Company.

       (c)     Non-disclosure by Executive. The Executive acknowledges and
               ---------------------------
               agrees that any information obtained by Executive while employed
               by the Company, including but not limited to customer lists and
               customer contacts, financial, promotional, marketing, training or
               operational information, and employment data is highly
               confidential, and is important to the Company and to the
               effective operation of the Company's business. Executive,
               therefore, agrees that while employed by the Company, and at any
               time thereafter, Executive will make no disclosure of any kind,
               directly or indirectly, concerning any such confidential matters
               relating to the Company or any of its activities.

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          (d)  Enforcement. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the
               -----------
               Executive of the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall
               be entitled to a restraining order and/or an injunction
               restraining the Executive from contacting, servicing or
               soliciting Company's customers, or customer contacts, or
               utilizing or disclosing, in whole or in part, the list of the
               Company's customers, customer contacts, employees, or financial,
               operational, promotional, marketing, or training information, or
               from rendering any services to any persons, firm, corporation,
               association, or other entity to whom such list or information, in
               whole or in part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be
               disclosed. In the event the Company is successful in any suit or
               proceeding brought or instituted by the Company to enforce any of
               the provisions of this agreement on account of any damages
               sustained by the Company by reason of the violation by the
               Executive of any of the terms and/or provisions of this agreement
               to be performed by the Executive, the Executive agrees to pay the
               Company reasonable attorney's fees to be fixed by the Court.

          7.   Inventions.
               ----------

          (a)  Executive shall promptly communicate and disclose in writing to
               Company all those inventions and developments including software,
               whether patentable or not, as well as patents and patent
               applications (hereinafter collectively called "Inventions"),
               made, conceived, developed, or purchased by him, or under which
               he acquires the right to grant licenses or to become licensed,
               alone or jointly with others, which have arisen or jointly with
               others, which have arisen or may arise out of his employment, or
               relate to any matters pertaining to, or useful in connection
               therewith, the business or affairs of Company or any of its
               subsidiaries. Included herein as if developed during the
               employment period is any specialized equipment and software
               developed for use in the business of Company. All of Executive's
               right, title and interest in, to, and under all such inventions,
               licenses, and right to grant licenses shall be the sole property
               of Company. Any such inventions disclosed to anyone by Executive
               within one (1) year after the termination of employment for any
               cause whatsoever shall be deemed to have been made or conceived
               by Executive during the Employment Period.

          (b)  As to all such invention, Executive shall, upon request of
               Company:

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               i.   Execute all documents which Company shall deem necessary or
                    proper to enable it to establish title to such inventions or
                    other rights, and to enable it to file and prosecute
                    applications for letters patent of the United States and any
                    foreign country; and

               ii.  Do all things (including the giving of evidence in suits and
                    other proceedings) which Company shall deem necessary or
                    proper to obtain, maintain, or assert patents for any and
                    all such inventions or to assert its rights in any
                    inventions not patented.

     8.  Litigation. Executive agrees that during his employment or thereafter,
         ----------
he shall do all things, including the giving of evidence in suits and other
proceedings, which Company shall deem necessary or proper to obtain, maintain or
assert rights accruing to Company during the employment period and in connection
with which Executive has knowledge, information or expertise. All reasonable
expenses incurred by Executive in fulfilling the duties set forth in this
paragraph 8 shall be reimbursed by Company to the full extent legally
appropriate, including, without limitation, a reasonable payment for Executive's
time.

     9.  Modification. No modification, amendment, or waiver of any of the
         ------------
provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing
specifically referring to this Agreement and signed by all parties therefore.

     10. Entire Agreement. This instrument constitutes the entire agreement of
         ----------------
the parties hereto with respect to Executive's employment and his compensation
therefore.

     11. Waiver. The failure to enforce at any time any of the provisions of
         ------
this agreement or to require at any time performance by any party of any of the
provisions hereof shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provisions
or to affect either the validity of this Agreement, or any part hereof, or the
right of each party thereafter to enforce each and every provision in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.

     12. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular
         ------------
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and
this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or
unenforceable provision were omitted.

     13. Pronouns. As used herein, the term "Executive" and the pronouns
         --------
therefore have been used for convenience only, and corresponding terms
reflecting the proper gender of Executive shall be deemed substituted by the
parties hereto where appropriate.

     14. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
         ----------
benefit of Company and any successor or assign of Company. For the purposes of
this Agreement, the terms "successor or assign" shall mean any person, firm,
corporation, or other business entity which, at any time, whether by merger,
purchase, assignment or otherwise, shall acquire the assets or business of
Company in part or as a whole.

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     This Agreement shall also be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
Executive and his legal representatives and assigns, except that Executive's
obligations to perform such future services and rights to receive payment
therefore are hereby expressly declared to be non-assignable and
non-transferable.

     15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and executed in
         -------------
accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                                      CENTENE CORPORATION

                                                      By /s/ Michael Neidorff
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        "Company"

                                                      By /s/ Joseph P. Drozda
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        "Executive"

Date 10/16/00<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.18

                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                         ------------------------------

This Executive Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into this
16th day of December, 1998, by and between Centene Management Corporation a
Wisconsin corporation ("Company"), and Mary O'Hara ("Executive").

Preliminary Statement
---------------------
The Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to
retain Executive's services, experience and loyalty, and Executive wishes to
provide her services and experience and devote her loyalty to the Company on the
following terms and conditions.

Terms and Conditions
--------------------
In consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and covenants contained
in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree as
follows:

Section 1.     Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
---------      -----------
shall have the following meanings:

       (a) "Anniversary Date" means December 16, 1998, and each following
       December 16th during the Employment Term.

       (b) "Annual Salary" means the salary payable to Executive pursuant to
       Section 4(a).

       (c) "Board" means the Company's Board of Directors.

       (d) "CMC" means Centene Management Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation.

       (e) "Employment Term" means the period beginning December 16, 1998 and
       ending December 16, 1999 (the "Initial Term"), and thereafter extending
       automatically from year-to-year (in each case, an "Annual Renewal Term")
       until the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section
       5, or by the Company as of the expiration of the Initial Term or any such
       Annual Renewal Term upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written
       notice to Executive.

       (f) "Effective Date" means December 16 1998.

       (g) "Permanent Disability" or "Permanently Disabled" refers to permanent
       disability within the meaning of the Company's disability insurance
       policy in effect at the time of the illness or injury causing the
       disability or, if no disability policy is then in effect, in accordance
       with the Company's disability policy last in effect.

       (h) "Resignation Date" means the date on which Executive terminates
       employment with the Company as a result of her resignation.

       (i) "Termination Date" means the date on which Executive's employment
       with the Company terminates as a result of action taken by the President
       and not as a result of Executive's resignation from employment.

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       (j) "For Cause" refers to termination of Executive's employment with the
       Company by the Board because of: (a) any intentional, wanton, or reckless
       act or omission that constitutes a material breach by Executive of her
       obligations hereunder, (b) engaging in conduct that has caused
       demonstrable and serious injury to the Company or the public image or
       reputation of the Company, monetary or otherwise, (c) Executive's
       perpetration of an act of fraud or embezzlement against the Company or
       (d) Executive's commission of a felony.

Section 2.     Employment and Duties.
---------      ---------------------

       (a)     Executive shall serve as Vice President and Chief Contracting
       Officer and shall perform such duties, consistent with such position, to
       the best of her abilities, as are assigned to her from time to time by
       the President & CEO. Throughout the Employment Term, Executive shall (i)
       devote substantially all of her working hours to her duties under this
       Agreement; (ii) faithfully and loyally serve the Company and promote its
       best interests; and (iii) carry out the lawful and reasonable directions
       and instructions given to her by her Supervisor and duties for which
       Executive is responsible under this Agreement and under the by-laws of
       the Company.

       (b)     Exclusive Employment. Except as otherwise provided herein,
               --------------------
       Executive shall not render services, to any other person or organization
       without her Supervisor's prior written consent and shall not engage in
       any activity that would interfere significantly with the faithful
       performance of her duties thereunder. Executive may perform minor
       services for which she does not receive compensation, provided that the
       activity does not conflict with the provisions of Subsection 2.

Section 3.     Employment Term. Executive's employment shall continue for the
---------      ---------------
Employment Term.

Section 4.     Compensation and Other Benefits. The Company shall pay and
---------      -------------------------------
provide the following compensation and other benefits to Executive as
compensation for services rendered under this Agreement:

       (a) Annual Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay
           -------------
       Executive, in accordance with its then prevailing payroll practices, an
       Annual Salary of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000), less applicable
       payroll deductions. Annual Salary may be increased from time to time as
       directed by the President.

       (b) Executive Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term, Executive shall
           -----------------------
       be and shall remain eligible to participate in all benefit plans
       maintained by the Company for the benefit of all executive employees and
       shall be subject to their terms and conditions.

       (c) Vacation Leave. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be
           --------------
       entitled to a number of vacation days as established in the standard
       company policy. Executive shall accrue and receive full compensation and
       applicable benefits during her vacation leave periods. Vacation leave
       shall be taken at such times as do not have an adverse effect on the
       operations or transactions of the Company or otherwise as Executive and
       the Supervisor shall agree.

       (d) Bonus Plan. The annual target bonus is 30% of base salary with
           ----------
       potential to exceed that when the company exceeds its Annual Operating
       Plan criteria. This award is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
       The Bonus Plan may be adjusted from time to time as directed by the
       President.

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Section 5.     Termination of Employment.
---------      -------------------------

       (a) Termination for Cause. If, prior to the expiration of the Employment
           ---------------------
       Term, the Company terminates Executive's employment For Cause, or if
       Executive resigns from her employment pursuant to Subsection 5(b),
       Executive shall be entitled to payment of that portion of her Annual
       Salary earned through and including the Termination Date or the
       Resignation Date at the rate of Annual Salary in effect at that time.

       (b) Resignation. Executive may resign from her employment with the
           -----------
       Company at any time by providing written notice of her resignation to the
       Board at least thirty (30) days before the Resignation Date, in which
       case she shall be entitled to compensation as provided in Subsection
       5(a).

       (c) Death. If Executive dies before the expiration of the Employment
           -----
       Term, or Executive is entitled to receive payments from the Company
       pursuant to Section 5(a) at the time of her death, Executive's estate or
       personal representative shall be entitled to receive that portion of the
       Annual Salary, at the rate in effect at Executive's death, that Executive
       earned through and including the date of Executive's death.

       (d) Disability. If Executive becomes Permanently Disabled, the Board may
           ----------
       terminate Executive's employment by providing written notice to Executive
       at least 72 hours before the Termination Date. If Executive resigns from
       employment with the Company as a result of a Permanent Disability, or the
       Company terminates Executive's employment as a result of a Permanent
       Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive that portion of her
       Annual Salary, at the rate in effect at the time she became Permanently
       Disabled, that she earned through and including the Termination Date or
       Resignation Date, as applicable; provided, however, the amount due and
       payable for the period on and after the date on which Executive became
       Permanently Disabled shall not be less than the portion of the Annual
       Salary that would have been paid to her if she had continued in the
       Company's employment for the 180 day period following the date on which
       she became Permanently Disabled.

       (e) Compensation Following Termination. If the Company terminates
           ----------------------------------
       Executive's employment before the end of the Employment Term other than
       For Cause, the Company shall pay Executive, in addition to any other
       amounts due or benefits pursuant to this Agreement as of the Termination
       Date, an amount equal to her Annual Salary paid in accordance with the
       then current payroll practices. In such case, if Executive has met plan
       requirements for participation in health, dental and Basic Life insurance
       plans, Company shall pay for twelve (12) of the eighteen (18) months
       health, dental and Basic Life insurance continuation coverage to which
       Executive is entitled under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
       Reconciliation Act of 1985, Public Law 99-272, Title X (COBRA).

Section 6.     Non-Disclosure; Non-Competition; Work Product; Records.
---------      ------------------------------------------------------

       (a) Confidential Information. Except as required in Executive's duties to
           ------------------------
       the Company, Executive will not disclose or divulge to any person,
       entity, firm or company, or use for Executive's benefit or the benefit of
       any other person, entity, firm or company, directly or indirectly, as the
       same may exist during the term of Executive's employment by the Company
       or at the date of such termination, any knowledge, information, business
       methods, techniques,

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     devices, customer lists, supplier lists, business plans, software, programs
     or other data of the Company, without regard to whether all of the
     foregoing matters will be otherwise deemed confidential, material or
     important, the parties stipulating that as between them, the same are
     important, material and confidential and greatly affect the effective and
     successful conduct of the business and the goodwill of the Company unless
     available in the public domain.

     (b) Work Product. Executive acknowledges that any inventions, discoveries,
         ------------
     improvements, formulations and specifications conceived by Executive, alone
     or with others, during the term of this Agreement ("Work Product") and all
     data, software, programs, models, reports, records, files, customer and
     supplier lists, correspondence, financial statements, business plans and
     projections, invoices, statements, and other physical and electronic
     embodiments of information relating to the business of the Company or the
     Company's affiliates ("Records"), shall be the sole property of the
     respective entity and available to the Company or such other entity at all
     times. Executive agrees to convey all Work Product to the Company or such
     other entity at any time and from time to time upon the request of the
     Company and to assist the Company or such other entity, at its expense, in
     filing, recording, obtaining, defending and protecting any patents,
     copyrights or other intellectual property rights related thereto, as
     requested by the Company or such other entity. Upon the termination of
     Executive's employment by the Company, for any reason, Executive will
     convey and deliver all Records to the Company and not retain any copies
     thereof.

     (c) Restrictive Covenants. During the term of Executive's employment with
         ---------------------
     the Company and thereafter for a period of one (1) years, Executive
     covenants and agrees that except in the performance of Executive's duties
     and responsibilities to the Company under this Agreement, Executive will
     not, in any manner, either personally or as an employee, partner,
     associate, member, officer, manager, agent, owner shareholder (except as
     the holder of not more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of a
     corporation whose stock is listed on any national or regional securities
     exchange or reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers
     Automated Quotations System or any successor thereto), consultant, adviser,
     or otherwise, so by means of any corporate or other entity or devices:

               (i)  Engage in any health maintenance organization, Medicaid
                    reimbursement or related business in the same geographic
                    area which is competitive with any business being conducted
                    by the Company or any affiliate of the Company or as to
                    which the Company or any affiliate of the company has made
                    definitive plans to engage (as any such plans may exist as
                    of the date of termination of Executive's employment in the
                    event of any such termination); or

               (ii) Solicit divert or take away any customer, supplier, or
                    employee of the Company (as existing as of the date of
                    termination of Executive's employment in the event of such
                    termination), or employ, or participate in the employment
                    process of, through any other person or entity, any person
                    who is, or has been within one year prior to the date of
                    such employment, an employee of the company.

               It is the intention of the parties to restrict the activities of
               Executive under this section only to extent necessary for the
               protection of the business interests of the Company, and the
               parties specifically covenant and agree that should any of the
               provisions set forth herein, under any set of circumstances, be
               determined by a court having

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           jurisdiction to be too broad for that purpose or invalid or
           unenforceable for any reason, such provisions shall be so interpreted
           and applied by the court in such a narrow sense as shall be necessary
           to make the same valid and enforceable to the maximum extent
           possible, consistent with the intent of the parties expressed in the
           Agreement, and that such determination shall not affect the
           enforcement of this section in any other jurisdiction.

           The covenants and agreements of Executive contained in this section
           shall be construed as independent of any other provision of this
           Agreement and given for valuable independent consideration, and the
           existence of any defense, claim or cause of action against the
           Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not
           constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of such
           covenants and agreements.

Section 7. Nonassignability. Binding Agreement.
---------  -----------------------------------

     (a) By Executive. Executive shall not assign or delegate this Agreement or
         ------------
     any right, duty, obligation or interest under this Agreement without the
     Company's prior written consent; provided, however, that nothing shall
     preclude Executive from designating beneficiaries to receive compensation
     and/or benefits payable under this Agreement upon her death.

     (b) By the Company. The Company may assign, delegate or transfer this
         --------------
     Agreement and all of the Company's rights and obligations under this
     Agreement to any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or to any business
     entity that by merger, consolidation or otherwise acquires all or
     substantially all of the assets of the Company or to which the Company
     transfers all or substantially all of its assets. Upon any such assignment,
     delegation or transfer, any affiliate, subsidiary or business entity
     related to the Company shall be deemed to be substituted for the Company
     for all purposes of this Agreement.

     (c) Binding Effect. Except as limited under Section 6(a) and Section 6(b),
         --------------
     this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
     parties, any successors to or assigns of the Company, and Executive's heirs
     and the personal representatives or executor of Executive's estate.

Section 8. Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction makes a final
---------  ------------
determination that any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or
unenforceable, and all rights to appeal the determination have been exhausted or
the period of time during which any appeal of the determination may be perfected
has been exhausted, the remaining terms and provisions shall be unimpaired and
the invalid or unenforceable term or provision shall be deemed replaced by a
term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that most closely
approximates the intention of the parties with respect to the invalid or
unenforceable term or provision, as evidenced by the remaining valid and
enforceable terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Section 9. Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or waived in
---------  ---------
any manner, except by an instrument in writing signed by both parties to this
Agreement; provided, however, that the Board shall have previously approved the
Company's agreement to any modification, amendment or waiver.

                                       5

<PAGE>

Section 10. Waiver.  The waiver by either party of compliance by the other party
----------  ------
with any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver of any other provision of this Agreement (whether or not similar), or a
continuing waiver or a waiver of any subsequent breach by a party of a provision
of this Agreement. Performance by either of the parties of any act not required
of it under the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not constitute a
waiver of the limitations on its obligations under this Agreement, and no
performance shall stop that party from asserting those limitations as to any
further or future performance of its obligations.

Section 11. Governing Law. The laws of the State of Missouri shall govern the
----------  -------------
validity, performance, enforcement, interpretation and any other aspect of this
Agreement.

Section 12. Notices. All notices required or desired to be given under this
----------  -------
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if
delivered: (i) in person and received for by the party to whom the notice is
directed; (ii) mailed by Express, certified or registered United States mail,
postage prepaid, not later than the day upon which the notice is required to be
given pursuant to this Agreement; or (iii) sent by next business day courier,
shipping prepaid, and addressed as follows:

     (a)    If to the Company to: Centene Management Corporation, Michael F.
     Neidorff, 7711 Carondelet Avenue, Suite 600, St. Louis, Missouri 63105.

     (b)    If to Executive, to such address for Executive as is last shown on
     the payroll records of the Company.

Either party may, by giving written notice to the other party, change the
address to which notice shall then be sent.

Section 13. Prior Agreements. This Agreement is a complete and total integration
----------  ----------------
of the understanding of the parties. This Agreement supersedes all prior or
contemporaneous negotiations, commitments, agreements, writings and discussions
with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and all prior
negotiations, commitments, agreements, writings and discussions will have no
force or effect. The parties to any other negotiation, commitment, agreement,
writing or discussion will have no further rights or obligations thereunder to
the extent it relates to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section 14. Headlines. The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are
----------  ---------
inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this
Agreement or to affect the construction of this Agreement.

Section 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
----------  ------------
counterparts, each of which for all purposes shall be deemed to be an original
but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one
counterpart signed by the party against which enforceability is sought needs to
be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

The parties have executed this Agreement on the date first written above.

Centene Management Corporation

By: /s/ Michael Neidorff                By: /s/ Mary O'Hara
   --------------------------              ----------------------------
President & CEO                         Mary O'Hara, Executive

                                       6

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