SARAH BERRY, PhD
Summary
Dynamic strategy and operations leader with extensive experience in national, mid-size, and seed-stage companies, specializing in the development, implementation, and management of Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Commercial plans, as well as networks, partnerships, and population health programs. Expertise in execution and change management drives high-quality, on-budget outcomes through the establishment of trusted relationships and effective communication channels among colleagues, matrixed business units, clients (both payer and provider), and third parties. Data-driven analytical thinker skilled in financial business case development, market analysis, competitive assessment, and forecasting across a diverse range of healthcare clients and partners. Proven track record of exceeding expectations by leading and training high-caliber teams while collaborating with executive leadership to achieve strategic objectives.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President, Clinical Service Operations
Ventricle Health, Inc.
02.2025 - 02.2026
- Senior executive accountable for clinical and network operational functions for Ventricle Health, a seed-stage cardiology clinic focused on management of high risk heart failure (HF). Ventricle Health closed operations in Q1 2026 due to inability to raise Series A funds.
- Led management process, goal setting, clinical program development and execution, initiatives to reduce cost of revenue, enhancing underlying EMR and case management technology, and other administrative functions (e.g., payor enrollment, credentialing across 10+ states).
- Achieved significant reductions in all-cause and heart failure-related hospitalizations to under 5% and 3% respectively within the first 30 days post-discharge. Attained readmission avoidance rates that outperformed the benchmark by 200% at 120 days. Delivered program graduate satisfaction rates exceeding 95%. Maintained employee voluntary turnover rates below 5%.
- Oversaw a team of 7 direct reports and around 50 nursing physician operations and technology staff, both employed and 1099. Managed strategic staffing transitions, including initial scaling of operations and ultimately executing staffing eliminations due to clinic closure.
Vice President, Network Integrity & Performance
Aetna, a CVS Health Company
06.2024 - 01.2025
- Newly created position to lead new network development, prioritization, and implementation across all Commercial and Government business and network compliance, in addition to retaining responsibilities as Government Programs network lead (see position below)
- Managed and optimized new Regional Council forum to drive senior executive decision-making for new network development and ongoing performance prioritization. Established new centralized network compliance and implementation teams across lines of business. Direct hierarchy of ~225 strategy, implementation, provider engagement, and network operations staff.
- Spearheaded change management initiatives by establishing and integrating three new functions across lines of business and sister CVS business units to drive the most efficient use of Network resources and improve overall network performance.
Vice President, Government Programs Network
Aetna, a CVS Health Company
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Directed Medicare Advantage network strategy and performance, driving strategic alignment with expanded growth of Medicaid initiatives across national provider landscape.
- Drove Medicaid new growth / business development for Network, including completion of 5+ Medicaid RFPs, oversight for 4 concurrent Medicaid de novo and expansion implementations, and launching 15+ new SNP networks. Direct hierarchy of ~200 provider engagement and network operations staff.
- Led change management for Medicaid Network operating model restructuring, including centralization and performance management of 17 market-based provider engagement teams, aligning network expansion operations, and identifying and prioritizing Medicaid technology investments.
Vice President, Medicare Network
Aetna, a CVS Health Company
06.2021 - 07.2023
- Led Medicare Advantage Network strategy and performance of medical, behavioral, and dental provider networks constituting $16B+ spend.
- Achieved financial and operational targets through effective dual reporting to network and Medicare Advantage SVPs. Managed a team of ~30 operational staff and established strong cross-functional collaborations with local network contracting, value-based solutions, and provider operations teams.
- Achieved a national reach of approximately 90% of Medicare-eligible individuals through effective provider contracting and operational execution, including dual eligible and chronic special needs plans, while meeting regulatory requirements. Drove network initiatives as part of a MA revenue turnaround exceeding $1 billion by executing quality improvement initiatives that enhanced provider and member experience, alongside maintaining a competitive network unit cost position.
Chief Operating Officer
Innovation Health, a CVS / Aetna and Inova Health System Joint Venture
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Executive overseeing Commercial and Medicare Advantage operations and strategy for Innovation Health, a northern Virginia-based joint venture health plan.
- Led collaboration between Aetna functional area and parent company leadership and teams to achieve Innovation Health’s strategic plan and organizational vision; counsel senior management team and Innovation Health Board of Directors.
- Directed development and execution of innovative ideas with Aetna and Inova stakeholders (e.g., marketing, network, clinical transformation, communications) to enhance member experience and provide tangible savings to customers.
- Oversaw performance of membership (~125K lives), set goals and directed annual Operating Plan (exceeded 2019 and 2020 earnings and retention targets) and implementation of business unit action plans to respond to performance shortfalls/plan variances.
Managing Director, Client Implementation
Evolent Health
01.2019 - 08.2019
- Executive lead for value-based services and product operations implementation for new Medicare Advantage business
- Led value-based operations inclusive of budgets and implementations (risk adjustment, utilization management, quality improvement, NCQA plan accreditation, clinical operations, and behavioral health) and related vendors.
- Drove product portfolio strategy, inclusive of benefits, plan pro forma, and oversight of bid submission and downstream configuration.
General Manager, Market Operations
Evolent Health
07.2017 - 12.2018
- Led Louisiana-based Next Generation Accountable Care Organization (NGACO) from implementation to execution of day-to-day operations
- Managed operations and P&L, including clinical and network performance, services and partner satisfaction, and overall team satisfaction and engagement; achieved $5M in earned savings in first year of operations and >$16M in year two.
- Hired and drove performance of all local market operational and clinical staff; matrixed oversight of IT, risk adjustment, analytics, actuarial, and other support.
Managing Director, Payer Strategy & Operations
Evolent Health
07.2013 - 07.2017
- Multiple roles including leading Evolent’s campaign for 2018 NGACO partnerships along with value-based contracting and operations for some of the largest ACO customers
- Led five new partnership diligence efforts with 2017 revenue bookings of $30M+, including development and delivery of client capabilities assessment and 3-year pro forma. Partnered to develop term sheets, appropriate MSAs, and Scopes of Service.
- Operations and contracting owner accountable for payer partnerships for >120K members, development of ACO financial strategy and achievement of >$20M in medical cost savings, advisor on Medicare policy and MACRA implications and participation in full risk ACO models.
Senior Consultant
L.E.K. Consulting, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Variety of strategic and operational consulting roles across healthcare services (e.g., national Medicare Advantage strategy for >500K MAPD members, launch of 5+ new Medicare Advantage and Dual Eligible plans) and life sciences (e.g., strategy and revenue forecasting for 50+ pharmaceutical agents).
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Chemistry
University of California, Berkeley
Certificate - Management of Technology
Haas School of Business
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Wake Forest University
Skills
- Organizational leadership
- New venture initiation
- Strategic, Business, and Financial Planning & Analysis
- Population Health Programs
- Accountable Care Models
- Change Management
- Relationship & Performance Management
- FFS and Risk-based Contracting & Negotiations
- Technology Portfolio Delivery
Affiliations
Board Member, DC Primary Care Association (January 2022-present)
- At-large voting Board member for the District of Columbia Primary Care Association, a nonprofit health action organization working to support effective, integrated healthcare in the District
- Member, DCPCA Finance & Audit Committee (2023-present)
Timeline
Senior Vice President, Clinical Service Operations
Ventricle Health, Inc.
02.2025 - 02.2026
Vice President, Network Integrity & Performance
Aetna, a CVS Health Company
06.2024 - 01.2025
Vice President, Government Programs Network
Aetna, a CVS Health Company
08.2023 - 05.2024
Vice President, Medicare Network
Aetna, a CVS Health Company
06.2021 - 07.2023
Chief Operating Officer
Innovation Health, a CVS / Aetna and Inova Health System Joint Venture
08.2019 - 05.2021
Managing Director, Client Implementation
Evolent Health
01.2019 - 08.2019
General Manager, Market Operations
Evolent Health
07.2017 - 12.2018
Managing Director, Payer Strategy & Operations
Evolent Health
07.2013 - 07.2017
Senior Consultant
L.E.K. Consulting, San Francisco, CA
01.2009 - 01.2013
Doctor of Philosophy - Chemistry
University of California, Berkeley
Certificate - Management of Technology
Haas School of Business
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Wake Forest University