Covista Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Covista has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, operations, finance, human resources, and enrollment.

Focused on expanding pathways into healthcare careers, Covista strengthens the clinical talent pipeline through a portfolio of accredited institutions and research initiatives.

Leadership Roles at Covista

  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - Steve Beard
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Roger McKinney
  • Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Medical & Veterinary Segment) - Jonathan Spitzer
  • Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical - Heidi Chumley
  • Office of the President-Enrollment - Katrina Wesley-Price
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer - Maurice Herrera
  • Vice President & Chief of Staff - Jayanth Surakanti
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Sara Hill
  • Steve Beard - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

    Steve Beard, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Covista, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Beard architects the long-term growth trajectory by aligning academic delivery with the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. This leadership role involves managing the board of directors while ensuring the company maintains its commitment to student access and workforce development. By overseeing the integration of various accredited institutions, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer fosters a unified approach to clinical education. Steve Beard maintains a focus on expanding the clinical talent pipeline to address critical care capacity shortages across North American markets. Through rigorous oversight of institutional performance, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer ensures that all educational programs meet high standards of excellence. Ultimately, Beard drives the mission of preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals through sustainable and scalable business practices.
    Steve Beard

    Roger McKinney - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Roger McKinney, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Covista, manages the corporate financial health and capital allocation strategies. McKinney oversees the budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes that support the company's portfolio of accredited institutions. This role involves analyzing investment opportunities to expand care capacity and enhance academic infrastructure. By maintaining fiscal discipline, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures the organization remains well-positioned to invest in student-focused research and workforce development. Roger McKinney collaborates with other C-suite leaders to evaluate the financial viability of new educational programs and market expansions. Through rigorous financial oversight, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer secures the resources required to sustain the company's mission. McKinney drives long-term value creation by optimizing the balance sheet and ensuring that financial performance consistently supports the strategic objectives of the entire healthcare education enterprise.

    Jonathan Spitzer - Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Medical & Veterinary Segment)

    Jonathan Spitzer, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Medical & Veterinary Segment) at Covista, directs the financial operations specifically for the medical and veterinary education divisions. Spitzer manages the segment-specific budgets and financial performance metrics to ensure the sustainability of these critical programs. This role involves analyzing the cost-efficiency of clinical training delivery and identifying opportunities for operational improvement. By focusing on the unique financial requirements of medical and veterinary education, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Medical & Veterinary Segment) supports the growth of these specialized talent pipelines. Jonathan Spitzer works closely with academic leaders to align financial resources with the needs of students and faculty. Through detailed financial modeling and performance tracking, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Medical & Veterinary Segment) ensures that the segment contributes effectively to the overall mission of the company.

    Heidi Chumley - Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical

    Heidi Chumley, the Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical at Covista, oversees the daily academic and clinical operations within the medical and veterinary schools. Chumley ensures that the delivery of education meets the rigorous standards required for healthcare professional preparation. This role involves managing faculty resources, clinical placement partnerships, and student support services to maintain high academic quality. By optimizing the operational framework of these vertical programs, the Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical facilitates the successful training of future practitioners. Heidi Chumley collaborates with the broader leadership team to integrate research initiatives that enhance the learning experience. Through the effective management of institutional resources, the Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical drives the mission of expanding pathways into healthcare careers. Chumley ensures that all operational activities remain focused on student success and the strengthening of the clinical talent pipeline.
    Heidi Chumley

    Katrina Wesley-Price - Office of the President-Enrollment

    Katrina Wesley-Price, the Office of the President-Enrollment at Covista, manages the strategic enrollment processes that connect prospective students with the company's accredited institutions. Wesley-Price oversees the admissions lifecycle, ensuring that the recruitment of future healthcare professionals aligns with institutional capacity and academic standards. This role involves developing systems to improve student access and streamline the application experience. By analyzing enrollment trends, the Office of the President-Enrollment identifies opportunities to expand the reach of the company's educational programs. Katrina Wesley-Price collaborates with marketing and academic teams to ensure that enrollment targets support the overall mission of strengthening the clinical talent pipeline. Through the management of admissions operations, the Office of the President-Enrollment ensures that the organization consistently meets its growth objectives. Wesley-Price drives the success of the student intake process, ultimately contributing to the expansion of pathways into vital healthcare careers.

    Maurice Herrera - Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

    Maurice Herrera, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Covista, manages the brand positioning and student acquisition strategies across the entire portfolio. Herrera develops comprehensive marketing campaigns that highlight the value of accredited healthcare education to prospective students. This role requires close collaboration with academic leadership to ensure messaging accurately reflects the quality of clinical training. By leveraging data-driven insights, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer optimizes enrollment funnels to support the company's growth objectives. Maurice Herrera oversees the digital presence and outreach efforts that connect the organization with aspiring healthcare professionals throughout the United States. Through strategic brand management, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the market position of the company. Herrera ensures that all promotional activities align with the core mission of expanding access to high-quality healthcare careers and fostering long-term student success.
    Maurice Herrera

    Jayanth Surakanti - Vice President & Chief of Staff

    Jayanth Surakanti, the Vice President & Chief of Staff at Covista, coordinates cross-functional initiatives to ensure operational efficiency across all departments. Surakanti facilitates communication between the executive leadership team and the broader organization to maintain alignment with corporate goals. This role involves managing high-priority projects that support the expansion of healthcare education pathways. By streamlining internal processes, the Vice President & Chief of Staff enables the company to respond effectively to market demands and regulatory changes. Jayanth Surakanti monitors the execution of strategic plans, ensuring that resources are allocated to maximize impact on student outcomes. Through the management of key organizational workflows, the Vice President & Chief of Staff supports the overall mission of strengthening the clinical talent pipeline. Surakanti provides the necessary administrative and strategic support to keep the leadership team focused on long-term growth and institutional excellence.

    Sara Hill - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Sara Hill, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Covista, directs the talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies for the entire organization. Hill manages the human capital initiatives that support the company's mission of preparing healthcare professionals. This role involves building a high-performance culture that attracts top-tier academic and administrative talent. By implementing comprehensive training and development programs, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains equipped to handle the complexities of modern healthcare education. Sara Hill oversees the organizational design and compensation structures that align with the company's strategic goals. Through the management of employee relations and engagement, the Chief Human Resources Officer fosters an environment conducive to innovation and excellence. Hill drives the development of a robust talent pipeline within the company, ensuring that the organization possesses the necessary expertise to support its portfolio of accredited institutions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Covista Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Covista?
    Covista is led by Steve Beard (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Roger McKinney (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and Jonathan Spitzer (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Medical & Veterinary Segment)).
    Who is part of Covista’s executive team?
    The executive team of Covista includes leaders such as Steve Beard (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), Roger McKinney (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Jonathan Spitzer (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Medical & Veterinary Segment)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Covista have?
    Covista has 8 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, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Medical & Veterinary Segment), Chief Operating Officer, Med and Vet Vertical, Office of the President-Enrollment.