Covista Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Covista has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, marketing, human resources, operations, and presidential oversight.

Driven by a commitment to expanding pathways into healthcare careers, Covista strengthens the clinical talent pipeline through accredited institutions, academic delivery, and workforce development.

Leadership Roles at Covista

  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - Stephen Beard
  • Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical - Heidi Chumley
  • President - Kivalena Starr
  • Chief Technology Officer - Carlos Filgueiras
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer - Maurice Herrera
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Sara Hill
  • Vice President & Chief of Staff - Jayanth Surakanti
  • Stephen Beard - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

    Stephen Beard, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Covista, directs the overarching strategy and vision for the education company. Beard guides the organization's mission to expand pathways into healthcare careers and bolster the clinical talent pipeline. This leadership involves overseeing the portfolio of accredited institutions and ensuring academic delivery aligns with workforce development needs. Beard's executive decisions shape the company's market impact and its role in strengthening healthcare capacity. The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer drives initiatives that enhance student access and foster research tied to care capacity. Stephen Beard ensures the company's strategic direction supports its core objective of preparing healthcare professionals for critical roles.
    Stephen Beard

    Heidi Chumley - Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical

    Heidi Chumley, the Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical at Covista, directs operational execution within specialized healthcare education sectors. Chumley oversees the academic delivery and student support services for medical and veterinary programs, ensuring alignment with industry needs. This leadership is crucial for strengthening the clinical talent pipeline and preparing professionals for critical roles. The Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical drives initiatives that expand pathways into healthcare careers and support workforce development. Heidi Chumley ensures the operational efficiency of accredited institutions within these verticals. Chumley's focus enhances Covista's capacity to deliver high-quality education tied to care capacity and research.
    Heidi Chumley

    Kivalena Starr - President

    Kivalena Starr, the President at Covista, leads strategic initiatives and operational oversight across the organization. Starr champions the company's mission to expand pathways into healthcare careers and bolster the clinical talent pipeline. This executive function involves guiding academic delivery and ensuring workforce development programs meet market demands. The President oversees the effective functioning of accredited institutions and supports research tied to care capacity. Kivalena Starr drives the strategic implementation of programs designed to prepare healthcare professionals for essential roles. Starr's leadership ensures Covista's continued growth and impact in the healthcare education sector.
    Kivalena Starr

    Carlos Filgueiras - Chief Technology Officer

    Carlos Filgueiras, the Chief Technology Officer at Covista, architects the technological infrastructure supporting the company's educational mission. Filgueiras oversees the development and implementation of digital platforms that facilitate academic delivery and enhance student access. This role involves driving innovation in educational technology to strengthen the clinical talent pipeline. The Chief Technology Officer ensures that Covista's technological capabilities support workforce development and research initiatives. Filgueiras's leadership focuses on leveraging technology to expand pathways into healthcare careers. Carlos Filgueiras manages the integration of advanced systems that prepare healthcare professionals through accredited institutions, ensuring operational efficiency and scalability across all technological functions.
    Carlos Filgueiras

    Maurice Herrera - Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

    Maurice Herrera, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Covista, directs all marketing and brand strategy initiatives. Herrera oversees the promotion of Covista's accredited institutions and its mission to expand pathways into healthcare careers. This leadership role involves developing campaigns that highlight the company's role in strengthening the clinical talent pipeline and supporting workforce development. The Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer drives market awareness for academic delivery and research tied to care capacity. Maurice Herrera ensures that marketing efforts effectively communicate the value proposition to prospective students and industry partners. Herrera's strategic vision enhances Covista's market position and its impact on preparing healthcare professionals.
    Maurice Herrera

    Sara Hill - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Sara Hill, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Covista, leads all human capital strategies and organizational development. Hill oversees the recruitment, retention, and professional growth of faculty and staff across the company's accredited institutions. This role is critical in strengthening the clinical talent pipeline by ensuring Covista attracts and develops top-tier healthcare educators and administrators. The Chief Human Resources Officer champions a culture that supports academic delivery and workforce development initiatives. Sara Hill ensures that HR policies align with the company's mission of expanding pathways into healthcare careers. Hill's leadership focuses on building a robust organizational structure that supports research and care capacity development.

    Jayanth Surakanti - Vice President & Chief of Staff

    Jayanth Surakanti, the Vice President & Chief of Staff at Covista, provides strategic support and operational oversight across key initiatives. Surakanti facilitates the execution of the company's mission to expand pathways into healthcare careers and strengthen the clinical talent pipeline. This role involves coordinating efforts between departments to ensure seamless academic delivery and workforce development programs. The Vice President & Chief of Staff supports the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer in driving organizational effectiveness and strategic alignment. Jayanth Surakanti ensures that operational plans effectively support research tied to care capacity. Surakanti's involvement enhances the efficiency of preparing healthcare professionals through accredited institutions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Covista Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Covista?
    Covista is led by Stephen Beard (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Heidi Chumley (Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical) and Kivalena Starr (President).
    Who is part of Covista’s executive team?
    The executive team of Covista includes leaders such as Stephen Beard (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), Heidi Chumley (Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical), Kivalena Starr (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Covista have?
    Covista has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Covista’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Covista includes roles such as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical, President, Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer.