Dean is the Chief Financial Officer at Optum Ventures. Previously, he spent over two decades serving as CFO of a number of health care and technology businesses.  Across his career, he has raised venture and private equity funding, scaled multiple businesses, and has successfully exited7 investor-backed companies. Dean holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and received an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. Dean is a proud baseball dad.

Kate is the General Counsel of Optum Ventures.  Prior to joining the team at Optum Ventures, Kate was counsel at Goodwin Procter LLP and WilmerHale LLP, where she represented a wide range of both investors and start-ups in the healthcare, technology, life sciences, cleantech and retail ecosystems throughout those investors’ and companies’ lifecycles.  Kate graduated from Suffolk University Law School, summa cum laude, and from Northeastern University, magna cum laude.  Kate loves being a mom and going on adventures with her husband, two incredible kids, Husky mix and cranky old cat. 

Kaylan is a Partner on the Partnerships team at Optum Ventures. Before Optum Ventures, Kaylan served as a Vice President at UnitedHealth Group. Kaylan spent most of her time at UHG on Optum’s Partnerships team, where she focused on large-scale collaborations with strategic partners and clients. Kaylan started her career at Goldman Sachs, where she worked for seven years as a Vice President. Kaylan left Goldman to become a Partner at Triton Research, an early-stage financial technology company that conducts analysis on private companies. Kaylan graduated Cum Laude from Williams College, where she majored in Economics and History and played varsity basketball and lacrosse. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband Jeff and daughters Ellie and Sophie.

Mike is a Partner at Optum Ventures, where he invests in and supports emerging healthcare companies. Throughout his career, Mike has worked closely with many entrepreneurs across all stages. Before joining Optum Ventures, he was with PJC, an early-stage technology-focused venture capital firm based in Boston. Outside of his professional work, Mike competes in triathlons and is actively involved with several local non-profit organizations.

Vijay is a Partner of the Global Team at Optum Ventures, based in London. Before Optum Ventures, Vijay was a Life Science Partner with Catapult’s Life Sciences Fund, leading and managing investments across life sciences with a specialist focus on digital health. Previously, he was also the Chief Investment Officer at a healthcare IP commercialization company focused on digital health, diagnostics, and therapeutics investments. Vijay also spent time as a healthcare investment banker at Peel Hunt and Piper Jaffray, looking after listed healthcare clients and undertaking IPO, M&A, private placement, and secondary fundraising transactions. Vijay began his career in medicine and worked as a doctor for the NHS. He qualified from Guy’s Kings and St. Thomas Medical School in London and holds an MBBS in Medicine and a B.S. in Development Neurobiology. Vijay lives in Surrey, UK, with his wife and two sons. He is passionate about cricket, a keen photographer and a massive fan of Oasis.

George is a Principal on the Investment team at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, George worked at Covington Associates, a boutique investment bank providing M&A strategic advisory to middle market companies across health care, consumer, and technology sectors. Prior to that, he worked at Capital Resource Partners, a middle market private equity firm. George graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in Economics while playing four years of college hockey.

Jon is a Principal on the Investment team at Optum Ventures. Prior to rejoining OV, Jon was an early employee at Redesign Health, and began his investing career as an Associate and subsequently Vice President at OV. Before OV, Jon spent several years in the healthcare strategy group at L.E.K. Consulting and as an analyst at BlackRock. Jon received his undergraduate degree from Duke and recently received his MPH from the Yale School of Public Health, where he was a Trowell-Haris Scholar. Jon lives in Brooklyn with his wife, son, and adorable labradoodle, Essie.

Nicole is a Principal and the Chief of Staff to the Managing Partner, Laura Veroneau at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, Nicole worked in health and group benefits consulting at Willis Towers Watson advising employers on how to price benefit plans and manage their employees’ health and wellbeing. She also spent time with Optum Boston Children Hospital’s Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator and at Optum before joining Optum Ventures. Nicole graduated from Brown University with a B.Sc. In Applied Mathematics and Economics and received an MBA from Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business with a focus in health sector management. In her free time, you can find Nicole running along the Charles, hiking, or dogsitting for friends

Richie is a Principal on the Investment team at Optum Ventures. Most recently, Richie was an Associate with Bain Capital Ventures, focused on investments in healthcare and financial technology companies. Richie worked on several venture and growth equity investments while at Bain Capital Ventures, including the firm’s investment in AbleTo, a current Optum Ventures portfolio company. He started his career at Citigroup, working in the Technology Investment Banking Group in New York and the Mergers and Acquisitions Group in Toronto. He graduated with distinction from the Ivey Business School at Western University, where he played on the varsity baseball team.

Tom is a Principal on the Global Team at Optum Ventures, based in London. Prior to joining Optum Ventures, Tom worked as an Investment Manager at Oxford Science Enterprises where he sat on the board of multiple deep tech Engineering and Cleantech companies. Before this, Tom was a Venture Capital Portfolio Manager at Legal& General (L&G), focused on Health Tech investments. While at L&G, Tom completed a Business Development secondment in a genomic medicine portfolio company. Earlier in his career, Tom worked in Strategy & Transactions at Ernst and Young, on both corporate and private equity deals across a broad range of sectors. Tom is a Chartered Accountant and holds an M. Sc. in Economics and Strategy from Imperial College University.

Austin is a Vice President on the Investment team at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, Austin worked in healthcare payer and provider consulting, where he supported efforts in provider network development, Medicaid programs, and digital health GTM strategies. Previously, he spent time working inside multispecialty medical groups and as a youth basketball coach. Austin graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin, where he majored in Economics. In his free time, you can find Austin making weekend trips to the Longhorns’ football and basketball games or trying a new restaurant around Boston.

Eliza is a Vice President on the Investment team at Optum Ventures. Before joining Optum Ventures, Eliza received her MBA from Harvard Business School where she interned at Humana’s CenterWell Primary Care business. Prior to business school, Eliza worked in both investing and consulting. Eliza spent four years investing and supporting portfolio companies across venture capital and private equity stages at both .406 Ventures and AEA Investors, respectively. She began her career as a management consultant at Bain& Company. Eliza received her B.A. from Yale University where she played on the women’s soccer team. Her passion for healthcare and education access extends outside of the workplace, as she serves on the Women’s Health Advisory Committee for Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Board of Young Professionals at the Steppingstone Foundation.

Joe is a Vice President on the Investment team at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, Joe was an investor at Bain Capital Ventures where he focused on early and growth stage investments in healthcare technology and tech-enabled services companies. Joe graduated from Bowdoin College with a B.A. in Government and Legal Studies. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and skiing (depending on the season), rooting on his local Boston sports teams, and exploring the mountains and coastline of New England.

Mazen is a Vice President on the Investment team at Optum Ventures. Prior to joining Optum Ventures, Mazen served as a Senior M&A Analyst at UnitedHealth Group, where he focused on enterprise-wide transaction execution and strategy. Mazen holds a B.S. in Finance from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, where he also served as President of the largest finance-focused organization on campus and as Portfolio Manager with the David S. Kidwell Funds Enterprise, a $50 million student-led public equities and credit investment fund. Mazen enjoys spending quality time with his wife and son at the beaches along Boston's south shore, traveling, and reading history and poetry.

Abby is an Associate on the Global Team at Optum Ventures, based in London. Most recently, Abby led the European research coverage at Third Bridge, an expert network focused on conversations with experts in the healthcare space, specifically MedTech and healthcare services. Previously, Abby also worked at Barclays Investment Bank. Abby graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in History, and minor in African-American studies.

Courtney is an Associate on the Investment team at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, Courtney worked in healthcare strategy consulting at HealthScape Advisors where she supported health plans, ancillary organizations, and providers with enterprise strategic planning, operational transformation, and value-based care. Courtney graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in Science-Business. In her free time, Courtney enjoys hiking and skiing in the Northeast and back in her home state of Colorado.

Anna is an Associate on the investment team at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, Anna was a Senior Investment Analyst at Impact Engine, where she supported sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio management across verticals, including health equity. She also served as a Teach for America Corps Member in Nashville. Anna started her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Moelis & Company. She holds a B.A. in Public Policy Analysis and a Minor in Global Health Policy from Duke University. In her free time, Anna enjoys practicing yoga and traveling with her family.

Caorie is an Investment Analyst on the Global Team at Optum Ventures, based in London. Prior to joining Optum Ventures, Caorie interned at Morgan Stanley. Caorie graduated from the University of Cambridge with an M. Phil. in Bioscience Enterprise (MBE) and from University College London with a B. Eng. Biochemical Engineering.

Siyka is a Vice President of Finance at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, Siyka worked at Standish Management where she provided accounting, tax and fund administration services for venture capital and private equity funds. Siyka started her career in public accounting at Deloitte, where she specialized in financial services. She is a licensed CPA in Massachusetts and holds an MSA/MBA from Northeastern University. Siyka is trilingual and lives in greater Boston but often visits her family in Bulgaria and Puerto Rico.

Brian is a Manager on the Portfolio Management team at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, Brian worked in portfolio valuation consulting at Valuation Research Corporation, where he supported investment firms valuing both public and private securities, with a focus on the healthcare sector. Brian holds a B.S. / B. A. in Finance and Economics from Muhlenberg College. In his free time, Brian enjoys cooking and learning new recipes as well as traveling with his fiancée, Brooke and family.

Bobby is a Manager of Accounting and Tax at Optum Ventures. Prior to joining OV, Bobby worked at KPMG, where he was a manager in their Tax Practice, specializing in tax compliance for alternative investments clients. He is a licensed CPA in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Bobby graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BS in Accounting. In his free time, Bobby enjoys returning to Connecticut, his home state, to spend time with family and friends.

Liz is the Manager of Accounting and Tax at Optum Ventures. Prior to joining Optum Ventures, Liz worked on the Asset & Wealth Management tax team at PwC specializing in partnership tax compliance for Boston-based real estate clients. Liz graduated from Bentley University with a B.S. in Accounting and is a licensed CPA in the state of Massachusetts. Liz enjoys taking classes at Barry’s Bootcamp and vacationing in Florida.

Bailey is an Associate on the Portfolio Finance team at Optum Ventures. Before joining Optum Ventures, Bailey was a consultant in Transaction Advisory Services at Deloitte, where she focused on M&A transactions within the Life Sciences sector across various financing stages. She began her career at Alvarez & Marsal in the alternative investments department, concentrating on portfolio valuations. Bailey holds a B.S. in Financial Economics from Binghamton University. In her free time, Bailey enjoys taking her dog on long walks in Boston and exploring the local music scene.

Nicole is a Director of Business Development and Chief of Staff to the Managing Partner, Larry Renfro at Optum Ventures. Prior to Optum Ventures, Nicole worked in sponsorship marketing for UnitedHealth Group where she was responsible for driving growth for UHG through strategic coordination of their Enterprise sponsorship portfolio. Nicole graduated from Boston College with a B.S. in Marketing and Management & Leadership and played on the women’s basketball team for four years. In her free time, Nicole enjoys golfing, obstacle course racing with her siblings, and cooking.

Julie Joyce is the Executive Assistant to Larry Renfro, Founder and Managing Partner of Optum Ventures.  Prior to Optum Ventures, she held a similar position with Jack Connors in Boston for 27years. Lifelong resident of Massachusetts, she most enjoys spending time with her family, attending live music shows and following the world of fashion.

Megan is an Executive Assistant and Marketing Coordinator at Optum Ventures. Before Optum Ventures, Megan spent her career in the finance industry at MFS Investment Management and later, Baystate Financials’ marketing department. Megan graduated from Fairfield University where she majored in Marketing. Megan lives in the surrounding Boston area with her husband and two young children.

Taylor is an Administrative Assistant at Optum Ventures, where she supports the Optum Ventures investment team and helps coordinate Optum Ventures’ marketing and company events. Prior to Optum Ventures, Taylor worked at Bain Capital Private Equity on their human resources team assisting with recruiting efforts, new hire training, and employee offsites. Taylor graduated from Suffolk University with a degree in marketing. Taylor enjoys skiing, traveling, and reformer Pilates, and lives in the greater Boston area with herhusband, son, and golden retriever.  

Abby is an Executive Assistant at Optum Ventures, where she provides support to Optum Ventures Partners, Kaylan Alderson and Mike Cunningham. Before joining Optum Ventures, Abby developed her expertise in executive support at ALKU and Senda Biosciences. A proud Rhode Island native, Abby graduated from the University of Rhode Island. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling, skiing, and spending time at the beach.

Millie is an Executive Assistant on the Global Team at Optum Ventures, based in London, supporting Vijay Barathan and the Global office. Prior to joining Optum Ventures, Millie worked in healthcare as an Executive Assistant in New Zealand. Millie attended the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, where she earned a B. Sc.(Hons) in Psychology.

Alex is the receptionist for Optum Ventures. She comes from an educational background, with over 10 years’ experience in elementary childcare. Now working as a receptionist, Alex loves creating a warm and inviting environment for anyone who walks through our doors. Outside of the office, you can find Alex either baking, playing with her cat Pie, or working on her needlepoint.