Our team brings a range of experience in healthcare and strategic business development, transformational change management, digital customer experience strategy and more.
Growth Catalyst, People Promotor, Do-It-Differently Enthusiast
Deborah McMahon is a Senior Vice President at Aveus, and a results-oriented change leader who knows that transformative company culture and winning customer experiences only happen by design (and with a BOLD leader). Early on, Deborah worked with fortune 500 companies to bring their businesses online for the first time, developing a deep expertise in building customer strategies that work within and across all channels. Throughout her continued corporate career, Deborah optimized the P&L through top-line growth and efficient business operations via the teams she led. Described as “a catalyst for creating and putting the best ideas into action,” she works collaboratively with Aveus clients and consulting teammates to set the course, coach, and execute plans that deliver competitive differentiation and customer loyalty. When not at work, you will find Deborah in south Minneapolis with her husband, 3 children, black lab, and 2 chickens (yep, it’s crowded).
“I always start with why, but get energy from ‘why not?!’. There’s gold in them hills!”
Thorny Problem Solver, Growth Stimulator, Six-Degrees-of-NancyGreen
Nancy Green is a Senior Vice President at Aveus and an award-winning global healthcare and strategic business development executive with expertise in stimulating growth, bringing new and disruptive innovative ideas to market. Prior to joining Aveus, Nancy built her own comprehensive business consulting firm, where she focused on identifying gaps and opportunities to accelerate business success. She specialized in creating strategic partnerships and leading BOLD transformational leadership work. Nancy also led global healthcare thought leadership, strategy and strategic innovation partnerships with Verizon working with healthcare industry leaders on transforming the sector through the adoption of innovation solutions and transformational change. Nancy has a special affinity and passion to help impact and support the aging population. She is both the Co-Chair for the HIMSS Aging & Technology Task Force and is also the Chair for the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) Special Interest Group on Aging Friendly. When not working, Nancy enjoys traveling with her husband, family and friends. You’ll find her surrounded by her two dogs and two cats reading or creating some kind of craft or design.
“Innovation isn’t necessarily about the ‘wow’ factor, it’s really the potential of that innovation to engage the consumer and drive real business growth.”
Kelly Hugunin is a Vice President at Aveus, and an adaptive, strategic leader energized by growth and innovation. She has enjoyed 20+ years of launching new initiatives – new solutions, new brands, new artists, new tech products, and new retail categories within Disney, Best Buy, Amazon, Duke Energy and more. After holding several executive positions within Fortune 500 organizations, Kelly now enjoys serving customer experience and innovation teams in a consulting capacity – building relationships, rapidly learning new spaces, and igniting new thinking among teams. From “High School Musical to Healthcare” – Kelly brings her customer experience, strategy, and innovation knowledge from a variety of industries into the work of modernizing healthcare. Kelly enjoys adventures with her family of 4, discussing all things pop culture, and hitting the courts for tennis and pickleball.
“Uses the term ‘juicy’ to describe rich insights, compelling solutions, and exciting challenges.”
Network Extraordinaire, Immediate Connector, Thought Provoker
Jill Vance is a Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Aveus and a business growth guru with an extensive 20+ year successful career in the healthcare industry creating revenue growth and leading teams to deliver best practice customer experiences. Prior to joining Aveus, Jill worked for Surgical Care Affiliates, leading Business Development regionally by securing the right partnerships, services, and sites of care to support the Triple Aim of healthcare. While there, Jill built long standing relationships with providers, c-suites, payers and patients, bringing people together to ensure advancements that led to better business, experience, and health outcomes for all parties.” Jill has a unique perspective of the healthcare ecosystem having had the fortune to have served roles with leaders in multiple verticals. From Aetna, helping to create the first HMO, to Pharmaceuticals with Eli Lilly and Company to Biotech with Amgen, all on the cutting edge of innovation. Jill is passionate about giving back to her community by volunteering and fundraising at CCS and the Dove’s Nest. When she isn’t chasing down the next Business Development opportunity, Jill enjoys traveling around the country with her two teenage boys watching them play select lacrosse. You will also find her running to keep up with her puppy, enjoying the next foodie experience or painting and drawing.
“To be successful, you must have your heart in your business and your business in your heart.”
Olivia (Liv) Peterson is an Aveus consultant who partners with executives to grow their brand. An expert at identifying opportunities between clients and customers, she has experience in project management, team building, strategic implementation, and company collaboration. After spending nearly a decade working in the healthcare industry, Liv knows that healthcare is in need of innovation when it comes to improving patient outcomes and driving down costs. Her background and passion make her an ideal partner for companies seeking to disrupt themselves, the industry, or both. When Liv isn’t working, you’ll find her painting, cooking from one of her 50+ cookbooks, or challenging herself to learn something new.
“I should consider legally changing my middle name to ‘work smarter not harder’. It’s long for a name, but I say it just as frequently as I say ‘Liv’.”
Jane is an Aveus consultant and innovation specialist with over 20 years of experience across diverse organizations ranging from Fortune 500 to early-stage companies. After holding leadership positions across product management, marketing, finance, and sales operations, she now enjoys leveraging design thinking, lean and agile techniques to support growth initiatives, launch new solutions, discover new business models and implement new processes. In her professional life, Jane is recognized as a strong strategic thinker with the ability to solve complex business problems, adapt quickly to new industries and lead cross-functional teams effectively. In her personal life, Jane enjoys karaoke dance party sessions with her young daughters, crushing her husband at badminton and discovering the next foodie hot spot around town.
“We have a family Kanban board – need I say more?”
Samantha Guseyn-Zade is a brilliant combination of communicator, organizer, motivator, results achiever and happiness champion. That last bit is why she’s earned the nickname “Sunshine Sammi.” She is an experienced project manager in multi-channel business environments with a background in corporate communications and marketing. Sammi has spent many years working with clients across the healthcare ecosystem on innovation, customer experience, provider experience, and transformational change strategy. Sammi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Studies from St. Catherine University. In her spare time, you can find her running, gardening, and spending time with her family in the great outdoors. That’s right, you’ll find her basking in the sunshine.
“I truly enjoy working with clients to bring creative insight to solving complex business problems.”
Brand Story Weaver, Energetic Problem-Solver, Competitive Spirit
Ellie Sjordal is a consultant at Aveus with a true knack for driving clarity and building strong partnerships. She is an English major with a business mind – empathetic, curious, and energized by making meaningful connections and building solutions and systems that improve experiences for all. Recently dubbed our “CMO,” when Ellie isn’t partnering with clients on innovation and customer experience initiatives, she is leading our marketing strategy and operations. In her free time, you can find her exploring the outdoors, playing Ultimate frisbee, dancing, and spending time with friends, family, and her neurotic but lovable dog, Rosie.
“Approaching problems with an empathetic ‘both/and’ mindset is rarely easy. It’s a good thing ‘easy’ has never been my go-to.”
Traffic Controller, Logistics Juggler, Professional Proofer
There really isn’t a proper descriptor for all that Molly does for the Aveus team, as well as support she provides to our clients and other Medecision teams. She partners with client contacts to coordinate stakeholder interviews, team meetings, and travel logistics. Since joining Aveus in 2000, she has been the go-to problem-solver, center of gravity, task master, and quality control for the team on everything from office management (including two moves!), human resources, technology, and financial responsibilities. Prior to joining Aveus, Molly was an administrative assistant and secondary researcher for The Loring Partnership. She excels at prioritizing and managing a wide variety of tasks in a thorough and thoughtful manner.
“I enjoy the professional partnership and solo diligence it takes to solve administrative challenges and free my team members up to do what they do best.”
Chris is Founder and Senior Consultant at Aveus. Chris’ early career led her to executive roles in financial services and the media world before she founded Aveus, to focus on helping companies grow and transform successfully. Her work has taken her around the world, giving her a unique perspective on how leaders drive material and positive outcomes in today’s global marketplace. Any industry undergoing transformation is a place Chris feels comfortable. Partnering with clients to create customer-driven strategies, diagnose performance and align one with the other, she is the very definition of a dynamic, collaborative thinker. Chris is also an author, corporate and nonprofit director, and private investor in women owned and led businesses. By night, Chris works on her writing, reads voraciously, enjoys contemporary art and music, travels with friends and family and always tries to land near water.
“As you can probably tell, everything is interesting to me. (The joke at Aveus is ‘Don’t put Chris in a drawer!’) I work with an amazing team serving wonderful clients, which continually feeds my curiosity and deepens my commitment to creatively solve big, thorny challenges.”
Duane White is a thought-provoking change leader. He partners with clients in designing innovative strategies, products, and solutions that deliver value and enhance the customer experience. His client engagements cross a range of industries including healthcare, pharma, and financial services. His work experience includes senior leadership positions at Medecision and UnitedHealth Group. Throughout his career as either an executive or consultant, Duane has focused on developing, growing, acquiring, restructuring and repositioning businesses for profitable growth. Duane also serves on corporate boards of directors and volunteers his expertise to nonprofits where he has a passionate interest. In his free time, you’ll find Duane on a golf course, or relaxing in Hawaii, on a golf course – or on vacation, on a golf course…
“Leadership means being a step ahead and demonstrating the type of change you expect from the rest of the organization.”
John Kundtz is a highly collaborative consultant with a passion for understanding customers and consumers. He partners with clients to develop more focused plans and strategies, better experiences, innovative new offerings, and strong brand propositions. He has held senior leadership positions in large and small organizations and has worked across multiple industries as a consultant. John leverages this experience and expertise into healthcare where there is tremendous opportunity to develop more customer centric strategies and approaches. He enjoys running, skiing, and theater where he periodically performs.
“Thinking of the customer first and putting yourself in their shoes will always unlock insights, opportunities, innovation and growth.”
Certified Case Manager, Operational Expert, Outcomes Advocate
Suzanne has over 30 years of care management experience. She has a rich medical management background with strong analytical and operational experience. She has successfully executed multiple projects to improve efficiencies and clinical outcomes. She has strong clinical product knowledge which has been used in many roles including consulting, sales and product development.
“It is in my DNA to help patients by providing tools and services to our customers that will improve their outcomes.”
Collaborative Team Leader, Goal Oriented, Forward Thinking
Connie Webster is a health care professional with over thirty years’ of experience within the health care industry. Ten years in a variety of settings providing direct patient care in hospital emergency department, medical intensive care unit, telemetry, cardiac intensive care unit, general medical and home health care. Fifteen years in managed care for two large Wisconsin based insurance plans. In that time, Connie directed and implemented corporate wide projects for Utilization Management, Behavioral Health and Case Management and implementation of care management software. The most recent 13 years Connie has worked on successfully implementing products with a variety of health care customers. Highly motivated and productive she is able to combine analysis and innovation to solve complex workflow and interface problems.
“Everything I do is for the patients who need care. In direct patient care I could impact 10-20 patients per day; but in health care IT my impact reaches millions of patients.”
