Chris leads Aveus, serves on the Medecision Executive Leadership Team, and oversees company talent strategies and People Resources. 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. Chris held several corporate executive roles prior to founding Aveus. 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.”
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!”
Tony Glebe is Vice President at Aveus and is a key strategic consultant who partners with our clients to create vision, set strategy, and drive aligned action. In addition to his consulting role, Tony is a well-connected thought leader who stays abreast of emerging trends and marketplace activities and helps Aveus connect with BOLD leaders and innovators who are driving positive change. Prior to joining Aveus, Tony built his own boutique consultancy, Depth Charge Health, and has worked as both staff and consultant to companies including Truven Health Analytics (now part of IBM Watson Health), Cigna, Connecture, Health Equity, AmericanWell, and pre-revenue start-ups.
“I love to listen intently, dream creatively, and get myself and others energized about going after it.”
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.”
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’.”
Brand Story Weaver, Energetic Problem-Solver, Competitive Spirit
The newest face on our Aveus team, Ellie Sjordal is a breath of fresh, innovative air. She’s results-driven and mission-minded, a team player with a knack for diving into complex projects, adapting quickly, and making meaningful connections. 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. Ellie is an English major with a business mind – empathetic, curious, and passionate about making products, systems, and experiences better and more accessible for all. 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.”
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.”
Pam Sveinson loves large-scale culture and organization change. She has been consulting with a variety of clients since 1999. Pam specializes in individual executive coaching, facilitation of management team sessions, and consulting on large-scale culture initiatives. Prior to consulting, she held a number of corporate executive human resources positions. She also serves as a member of the board of directors for several firms. In her spare time, Pam travels the US in her RV and you will often find her trackside enjoying another passion, raising and cheering on her racehorses.
“I love working with clients to figure out exactly what their issues are and where they’re coming from. Then finding fresh approaches to solving them.”
