Vālenz Health®: Who We Are and What We Do

Optimizing Healthcare Cost, Quality, Access, and Utilization for All

Coworkers in a professional environment having a chat in a glass hallway.
Coworkers in a professional environment having a chat in a glass hallway.

Advancing Healthcare through Technology and Expertise

About Vālenz Health®

Vālenz (VAY-lens) Health® empowers employers, brokers, payers, and providers to reduce costs, improve quality, and elevate the healthcare experience. 

Our solutions combine advanced technology, clinical expertise, and extensive cost, quality, and utilization datasets to execute across the entire healthcare journey — connecting insights and action for greater transparency, flexibility, and cost containment within a complex system. 

By helping our customers and members navigate healthcare with confidence, we support smarter care decisions, strengthen plan performance, and deliver better value for everyone we serve.

A female doctor speaking to a young boy sitting on an examination table, with a smiling woman, likely his mother, sitting nearby in a medical office.

Vālenz Health® Core Values

Our mission: Advance healthcare through technology and expertise to optimize cost, quality, access, and utilization for all.

In support of that mission, we are committed to four core values that guide how we work with our members, our customers, and each other:

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Collaboration

Work together to achieve more.

Performance Blue

Performance

Deliver results that matter.

Transparency Green

Transparency

Communicate openly, honestly, and clearly.

Trust Slate

Trust

Do what we say and earn confidence through our actions.

Led by Movers and Shakers in the Healthcare Industry

Vālenz Health® Executive Leadership

Led by CEO Vince Cole, the Valenz executive leadership team is comprised of experienced, innovative leaders in the healthcare industry. Valenz is also governed by a Board of Directors, with experts from across the business, finance, and health industries.

Vince Cole, Chief Executive Officer

Vince Cole

Chief Executive Officer

Connect with Vince Cole on LinkedIn

A global business leader with a track record of driving market share, revenue, and profit growth, Vince has more than three decades of executive leadership experience spanning healthcare services, insurance, and global enterprise transformation. As CEO, he leads the Valenz team in expanding company growth, strengthening client partnerships, and advancing healthcare for all through technology and clinical expertise. He previously served as CEO of Ontellus; CEO, Americas, of Charles Taylor; and CEO, Americas, of Crawford & Company.

Madeline Cashdollar

Madeline Cashdollar

Chief People Officer

Connect with Madeline Cashdollar on LinkedIn

A human resources leader with more than 25 years of experience building high-performing teams and organizations, Madeline brings deep expertise in global HR strategy, talent management, organizational development, and enterprise strategy. As Chief People and Strategy Officer, she leads the Valenz people strategy and corporate strategic planning, aligning talent, organizational capabilities, and business priorities to drive long-term growth and performance. She previously held executive and management positions with Sonoco, Aon Corporation, and Hewitt Associates.

Chris Harber

Chris Harber

Chief Operating Officer

Connect with Chris Harber on LinkedIn

With a strong foundation in future-ready care platforms, Chris leads the development of scalable systems, the alignment of processes with highly complex industry regulations, and the implementation of operational controls for sustainable business growth. He previously held executive positions with Amwell, among the world’s largest telehealth companies, as well as Availity and TriZetto Provider Solutions.

Christie LaGrange, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Valenz Bluebook.

Christie LaGrange

EVP & General Manager, Valenz Bluebook

Connect with Christie LaGrange on LinkedIn

A healthcare and technology leader specializing in commercial growth, product innovation, and client success, Christie has more than 15 years of experience building high-performing teams, strengthening strategic partnerships, and translating customer needs into meaningful business outcomes. As EVP and General Manager of Valenz Bluebook, she leads strategy for the company’s flagship cost and quality navigation solution, expanding access to high-value care and delivering greater value for clients and members. She previously held leadership roles with Healthcare Bluebook and Hylant.

Thomas Loegering, Chief Administrative Officer

Thomas Loegering

Chief Administrative Officer

Connect with Thomas Loegering on LinkedIn

A strategic business leader with a proven history of facilitating EBITDA growth, Thomas has 15 years of progressive executive experience in legal and compliance, governance, administrative, enterprise risk, and security functions across the healthcare and insurance industries. As Chief Administrative Officer, he leads critical enterprise functions that strengthen Valenz operations, manage organizational risk, and build the infrastructure needed to support sustainable growth. He previously held leadership positions with Ontellus and Charles Taylor.

Nathan Nelson

Nathan Nelson

Chief Revenue Officer

Connect with Nathan Nelson on LinkedIn

Nathan’s career includes 20+ years of proven success in sales and account management for the healthcare industry, primarily in the managed care segment. He has expertise in claim management, workers’ compensation, underwriting, and sales management. Nathan graduated magna cum laude with an MBA in Business from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Erik Nicholson

Erik Nicholson

Chief Information Officer

Connect with Erik Nicholson on LinkedIn

A technology leader with more than 25 years of experience in strategic IT planning, Erik has deep expertise in enterprise-level technology projects, cross-functional team leadership, and operational process development and standardization. As CIO, he leads the technical teams that advance the infrastructure, platforms, and capabilities that support innovation, integration and company growth. He previously served as Chief Information Officer and a founding member of Healthcare Bluebook, which was acquired by Valenz in 2024.

Bryan Perler

Bryan Perler

Chief Financial Officer

Connect with Bryan Perler on LinkedIn

A seasoned finance executive with nearly 25 years of experience leading high-growth, private equity-backed technology companies, Bryan has deep expertise in strategic accounting and finance for the financial services and healthcare industries. As CFO, he leads the Valenz financial strategy, supporting disciplined growth, operational performance, and long-term value creation. He previously served as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Icario and at Sapphire Digital.

Heather Wiehe

Heather Wiehe

Chief Legal Officer

Connect with Heather Wiehe on LinkedIn

A strategic legal executive with more than 15 years of experience navigating complex healthcare and insurance environments, Heather has deep expertise in regulatory risk management, complex contracting, and compliance. As Chief Legal Officer, she leads the Valenz legal and compliance strategy, helping the company manage risk, navigate evolving regulations, and support responsible growth. She previously held leadership roles at Collective Health and Superior Dental Care, a Medical Mutual Company.

About Our Investors

Valenz is proud to be a Kelso & Company portfolio company. Kelso & Company is one of the oldest and most established firms specializing in private equity investing.

Since 1980, Kelso has invested approximately $19 billion of equity capital in 140 transactions. Kelso was founded by the inventor of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and as a result, the principles of partnership and alignment of interest serve as the foundation of the firm’s investment philosophy. Kelso benefits from a successful investment track record, deep sector expertise, a long-tenured investing team, and a reputation as a preferred partner to management teams and corporates. Kelso has significant experience investing in healthcare and financial services.