Our Leadership

Vālenz® Health is governed by a Board of Directors comprising a range of business, finance and health industry experts.

Our executive leadership team includes:

Rob Gelb

Chief Executive Officer

An accomplished executive leader with a proven record of strategic and tactical success across his 30+ year career, Rob is best known for inspiring and leading the development of the self-insured industry’s first truly integrated clinical advocacy and cost containment ecosystem. Rob is widely regarded in the industry for being a results-driven leader and his commitment to a high-performance, “yes, and” culture, and use of data and analytically driven approaches that simplify the complexities of self-insurance.

Christina Morrison

Chief Financial Officer

With business acumen in financial analysis and mergers and acquisitions, Christina oversees financial operations and plays a key role in strategic planning, risk management and corporate growth strategy. She formerly held executive finance positions with PE GI Solutions, Aramark, Merck & Co. Inc., and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Christina has a degree from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Nathan Nelson

Chief Revenue Officer

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.

Chris Harber

Chief Operating Officer

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.

Madeline Cashdollar, MBA

Chief People Officer

Madeline’s career of more than 25 years has touched on all aspects of human resources, with expertise in global HR strategy, talent management and organizational development. Before running her own consulting company, she served in executive and management positions with Sonoco, Aon Corporation and Hewitt Associates. Madeline holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Maurice Steenland

Chief Product Officer

As an executive team member with 20+ years of senior leadership experience at healthcare-related organizations, Maurice enables development, growth and scale for the platform product suite. Before joining Valenz, Maurice held operations, informatics and product leadership positions with Optum, CIGNA Healthcare, Coventry Health Care and Intracorp, and he earned his MBA from The Wharton School.

Srinivas Achukola

Chief Information Officer

Srini has led numerous IT organizations and transformations in healthcare, retail and supply chain management for over 20 years. He champions the key role of technology in accelerating organizational effectiveness and efficiency while also driving innovation and growth. Currently based in Nashville, Srini has held CTO or CIO positions at global organizations that include Kepro, naviHealth Inc., CareCentrix and FuelQuest Inc.

Jordan Hersh, MBA

Executive Vice President, Channel Distribution

Since 2007, Jordan’s career has been dedicated to solving cost-related healthcare challenges for employers and companies of all sizes. He leads innovation in channel distribution and has extensive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, product marketing, account management and sales strategy.

Fred Karutz, MBA

Executive Vice President, Strategic Solutions

As an early innovator in consumer-centered healthcare, Fred drives transformative value for health plans, employers and members. He brings 25-plus years of expertise in analytics-supported care engagement and member solutions. Before joining Valenz, he held executive positions at Carelon, AIM Specialty Health, Silverlink, Health Care Services Corporation and others. Fred has a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern with an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Beth Madden, CEBS

Executive Vice President, Stop Loss Operations

With more than 25 years’ experience in the self-funded industry, Beth is proficient in providing underwriting oversight, actuarial and program management services for Certus Management Group. Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and CEBS and GBA designations from the International Foundation of Employee Benefits, Wharton School of Business.

Kevin O’Donnell, MPA

Executive Vice President, Solution Strategy & Expansion

With more than a decade of expertise in operations, change management, payment integrity and claims quality, Kevin leads the expansion and integration of Valenz platform solutions for providers and payers. Previously Kevin was with Evolent Health and Navigant. He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in health and human services from the University of Arizona.

Jennifer Graber, CEBS

Senior Vice President, Client Services

A champion of transparency with a passion for innovation, Jen brings 25-plus years of leadership in employee benefits, health insurance, business strategy, sales and client relations. She has held executive positions with TrueScripts Management Services, Mercer, Meritain Health, Welltok Inc., and Blue Cross Blue Shield in Nebraska. Based in Omaha, Jen earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska and the CEBS from the Wharton School.

TJ Morrison

Senior Vice President, Innovation

For more than 15 years, TJ has driven innovations that pave new ways for self-funded employers to control claim costs. Drawing from his deep experience with brokerages and TPAs, he created KISx Card, LLC in 2016 to deliver bundled transparent pricing to local employers. Today, it is one of the nation’s largest direct-contracting surgery and imaging networks. TJ has a degree in Business Administration from Rider University.

Carrie Solomon, MPH

Senior Vice President, Care Management

Carrie brings expertise in clinical strategy, operations, and financial/administrative management that supports her leadership in all aspects of care management and member services. She previously served as Senior Director of Clinical Strategy for Amwell and in strategy and operations leadership roles at Boston Medical Center. Carrie earned a master’s degree in health care management from Harvard School of Public Health.

Eric Hanna

Vice President, Claim and Access Solutions

Eric’s 15 years of experience with Valenz include key roles that range from claims analysis to implementation management and network contracting. He has a strong reputation for going the extra mile to deliver results for his team, and his dedication to client success is undeniable. Eric was selected for the Valenz Extended Leadership Team (ELT) in 2019. He graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration and Management from Northern Arizona University.

Aaron Prose

Vice President, Enterprise Analytics

With 20 years’ experience in software strategy, development, implementation and support, Aaron oversees data analytics within the Valenz platform/v-Lens environment. He excels in the strategic use of data to support business efficiencies and decision-enablement across the platform. Aaron has a background in Computer Engineering and deep expertise in predictive modeling and analytics.

Mike Reese

Vice President, Member Advocacy

With 15-plus years in operational leadership and business development, Mike brings a solution-oriented approach to everything from client relationships and cost-containment strategies to HR, training, compliance monitoring and more. Mike has held management and executive positions with KISx Card, Cintas and YTA Transportation Services, and he earned a master’s degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

Lauren Tomlinson, CPA

Controller

Lauren’s expertise in acquisition accounting, internal control and process improvements enables her to quickly understand a company’s business landscape. For more than 20 years, she led complex accounting matters, ensured financial reporting integrity, and managed all aspects of client engagements at EisnerAmper LLP, where she most recently was partner. Lauren earned an MBA at Washington University in St. Louis and is a licensed CPA.

Heather Wiehe, Esq.

Vice President, Legal and Compliance

Heather leverages a deep understanding of healthcare operations and her legal expertise to support business, risk and compliance partners in proactively addressing legal challenges. She previously held director-level compliance and legal positions with Collective Health and Superior Dental Care after numerous high-profile roles in foreign and military intelligence. Heather earned a law degree from the University of Dayton Law School.

Kurt Smith

Corporate Information Security Officer

With over 30 years of experience in information technology, Kurt possesses a strong background in information security with a focus on cybersecurity in the healthcare field. He has a demonstrated track record of building and maintaining highly skilled and effective security teams and security programs. Kurt holds his ISC2 – CISSP and GIAC – GSEC certifications.

Sales and Client Service

Driven by the promise to engage early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare, our sales and service professionals deliver comprehensive, client-centric solutions that influence better health outcomes while substantially reducing total cost of care.

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. For more information, please visit kelso.com.