Evolent Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Evolent has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, clinical oversight, and human capital management.

Focused on improving outcomes for complex health conditions, Evolent delivers evidence-based care solutions that bridge the gap between health plans and providers to ensure compassionate, seamless patient experiences across the entire medical landscape.

Leadership Roles at Evolent

  • Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder - Seth Blackley
  • Chief Operating Officer - Catherine (Katie) DiPerna
  • President Emeritus - James Wade
  • President, Risk Operations - Giselle Habeych
  • Chief of Staff - Heather Luckenbach
  • Chief Information Officer - Jessica White
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer Oncology - Vishnukamal Golla
  • Chief People Officer - Felicia Crawford-Smith
  • Chief Medical Officer - Von Nguyen
  • Seth Blackley - Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

    Seth Blackley, the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder at Evolent, directs the overarching strategic vision and long-term growth trajectory of the organization. By aligning clinical evidence with provider networks, Blackley ensures that health plans and medical systems deliver superior outcomes for patients with complex health conditions. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to refine market positioning and expand the reach of value-based care models across North American markets. Seth Blackley maintains a rigorous focus on operational excellence, ensuring that every partnership reflects the core mission of compassionate, evidence-based care. Through the cultivation of high-level industry relationships, the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder drives the expansion of the company's footprint, ultimately securing the financial and clinical stability required to support diverse patient populations and complex medical needs in an evolving healthcare environment.
    Seth Blackley

    Catherine (Katie) DiPerna - Chief Operating Officer

    Catherine (Katie) DiPerna, the Chief Operating Officer at Evolent, oversees the execution of clinical service delivery and operational infrastructure across the enterprise. By managing the integration of care plans with provider networks, DiPerna ensures that clinical evidence translates into tangible improvements for patients with complex health conditions. This leadership role involves optimizing internal processes to support seamless connectivity between various medical specialties and primary care settings. Catherine (Katie) DiPerna drives the implementation of scalable operational models that allow the company to maintain high-quality care standards while expanding market reach. Through the oversight of daily service delivery, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that all operational activities align with the overarching goal of providing compassionate, evidence-based care. By refining the mechanisms of care coordination, DiPerna directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of the company's partnerships with health plans and providers nationwide.
    Catherine (Katie) DiPerna

    James Wade - President Emeritus

    James Wade, the President Emeritus at Evolent, provides strategic guidance and historical context to the executive leadership team. By leveraging deep industry knowledge, Wade supports the organization in navigating long-term market shifts and maintaining the core values established during the company's formative years. This role involves advising on high-level partnerships and strategic initiatives that impact the company's mission to improve outcomes for complex health conditions. James Wade facilitates the transfer of institutional knowledge to current leaders, ensuring that the organization remains grounded in its founding principles while adapting to new healthcare challenges. Through the provision of expert counsel, the President Emeritus contributes to the stability and continuity of the company's strategic direction. By maintaining a focus on the long-term vision, Wade helps the leadership team sustain the commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care that defines the company's market presence and operational success.

    Giselle Habeych - President, Risk Operations

    Giselle Habeych, the President, Risk Operations at Evolent, manages the financial and clinical risk models that underpin the company's value-based care arrangements. By analyzing population health data, Habeych ensures that risk-sharing agreements between health plans and providers remain sustainable and effective. This leadership role involves overseeing the operational frameworks that monitor performance against clinical and financial benchmarks. Giselle Habeych directs the teams responsible for identifying and mitigating risks associated with complex patient populations, ensuring that care delivery remains both high-quality and cost-effective. Through the optimization of risk management processes, the President, Risk Operations supports the company's ability to deliver predictable outcomes in volatile healthcare markets. By aligning financial incentives with clinical evidence, Habeych ensures that the organization's partnerships remain focused on improving patient health while maintaining the fiscal health of the medical systems served across the entire operational landscape.

    Heather Luckenbach - Chief of Staff

    Heather Luckenbach, the Chief of Staff at Evolent, manages the executive office operations and facilitates cross-functional alignment across the leadership team. By streamlining communication between departments, Luckenbach ensures that strategic initiatives remain synchronized with the company's mission to improve outcomes for complex health conditions. This role involves coordinating high-priority projects that bridge the gap between health plans and providers, ensuring that clinical goals receive the necessary resources for successful execution. Heather Luckenbach monitors organizational performance metrics to identify opportunities for increased efficiency and improved service delivery. Through the management of internal workflows, the Chief of Staff supports the executive team in navigating complex market challenges and maintaining focus on patient-centered care. By optimizing the daily operations of the leadership suite, Luckenbach enables the organization to scale effectively while upholding the high standards of care required for members with intricate medical needs.

    Jessica White - Chief Information Officer

    Jessica White, the Chief Information Officer at Evolent, architects the digital infrastructure and data analytics capabilities that support the company's value-based care initiatives. By leveraging advanced technology, White ensures that clinical data flows seamlessly between health plans and providers, enabling informed decision-making for patients with complex health conditions. This role involves managing the security and scalability of information systems to protect sensitive member data while facilitating real-time access to clinical evidence. Jessica White directs the development of digital tools that enhance care coordination and improve patient outcomes across diverse medical settings. Through the strategic deployment of technology, the Chief Information Officer supports the organization's mission to provide consistent, high-quality care. By modernizing the digital landscape, White enables the company to maintain a competitive edge in the healthcare consulting market while ensuring that all technological solutions prioritize the goals and preferences of the members served.
    Jessica White

    Vishnukamal Golla - Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer Oncology

    Vishnukamal Golla, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer Oncology at Evolent, leads the strategic marketing and brand positioning for the company's specialized oncology service lines. By articulating the value of evidence-based cancer care, Golla ensures that health plans and providers understand the impact of integrated clinical solutions on patient outcomes. This leadership role involves developing targeted outreach strategies that highlight the company's expertise in managing complex oncology cases. Vishnukamal Golla collaborates with clinical teams to translate complex medical data into compelling narratives that drive partnership growth and market adoption. Through the management of brand identity and market communications, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer Oncology supports the expansion of the company's footprint in the oncology sector. By focusing on the unique needs of cancer patients, Golla ensures that the organization's marketing efforts remain deeply rooted in the mission of providing compassionate, evidence-based care across all regional markets.

    Felicia Crawford-Smith - Chief People Officer

    Felicia Crawford-Smith, the Chief People Officer at Evolent, directs the human capital strategy, talent acquisition, and organizational culture initiatives. By fostering an environment that prioritizes professional development and employee engagement, Crawford-Smith ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the company's mission to deliver compassionate care for complex health conditions. This role involves designing programs that attract and retain top-tier talent capable of navigating the complexities of the healthcare consulting industry. Felicia Crawford-Smith oversees performance management and leadership development to ensure that the organization maintains a high-performing team capable of supporting health plans and providers. Through the cultivation of a diverse and inclusive workplace, the Chief People Officer drives the internal growth necessary to sustain the company's long-term objectives. By aligning human resources with the broader business strategy, Crawford-Smith ensures that the organization possesses the expertise and dedication required to improve patient outcomes across all operational regions.

    Von Nguyen - Chief Medical Officer

    Von Nguyen, the Chief Medical Officer at Evolent, provides clinical leadership and oversight for the development of evidence-based care protocols. By ensuring that all care plans align with the latest clinical research, Nguyen guarantees that patients with complex health conditions receive the highest standard of treatment. This role involves collaborating with medical directors and provider networks to standardize care delivery and improve health outcomes across the enterprise. Von Nguyen directs the clinical strategy that bridges the gap between health plans and providers, ensuring that member goals and preferences remain central to every decision. Through the continuous evaluation of clinical performance, the Chief Medical Officer maintains the integrity of the company's medical services. By championing evidence-based practices, Nguyen supports the organization's commitment to providing compassionate care that respects the unique needs of every individual, ultimately driving better health results in diverse medical settings.
    Von Nguyen

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Evolent Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Evolent?
    Evolent is led by Seth Blackley (Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder), along with executives such as Catherine (Katie) DiPerna (Chief Operating Officer) and James Wade (President Emeritus).
    Who is part of Evolent’s executive team?
    The executive team of Evolent includes leaders such as Seth Blackley (Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder), Catherine (Katie) DiPerna (Chief Operating Officer), James Wade (President Emeritus) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Evolent have?
    Evolent has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Evolent’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Evolent includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, President Emeritus, President, Risk Operations, Chief of Staff.