DaisyAI Mentor Search - January 2025

Goal: Find 20 mentors/advisors for pricing, contracting, and GTM strategy for AI consulting/FDE model in healthcare.

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Tier 1: Warm Paths (10 People)

These contacts have strong mutual connection paths or direct connections.

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1. Gary Kurtzman, MD ⭐ HIGHEST PRIORITY

Advisor at Surgo Health | Greater Philadelphia

🔗 linkedin.com/in/garykurtzman/

Can help with: Healthcare investing, advisor network, big-picture strategy

Draft message:

Hi Gary,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review - helping nurses evaluate medical necessity faster and more accurately.

We're at an inflection point - pivoting toward a forward deployment / consulting model for health plans. I'd love to get your perspective on pricing and positioning AI services in healthcare.

Would you have 20 minutes for a call? Happy to share what we're seeing in the AI + UR space.

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2. Jacob Shiff

Chief AI & Technology Officer, CMS Innovation Center | NYC

🔗 linkedin.com/in/jacob-shiff/

Can help with: Healthcare AI founder experience, government/CMS perspective, regulatory landscape

Draft message:

Hi Jacob,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for utilization review and prior auth - helping nurses with medical necessity determinations.

Your journey from Anomaly to CMS is fascinating. I'd love to learn how your perspective on healthcare AI evolved from founder to regulator. Also curious how CMS is thinking about AI adoption in UR/PA workflows.

Would you have time for a brief call?

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3. James J. Gillespie, PhD, JD, MPA

External Advisor, McKinsey Healthcare & Life Sciences | US

🔗 linkedin.com/in/jamesjgillespie/

Can help with: Consulting economics, pricing models, healthcare strategy, enterprise contracting

Draft message:

Hi James,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review and pivoting toward a forward deployment / consulting model.

Your McKinsey healthcare experience is exactly what I'm trying to learn from. How do you think about pricing and structuring AI-enabled consulting services for health plans and hospitals?

Would you have 20 minutes to share your perspective?

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4. Misa Nuccio, MPH

Digital Health Advisor & Strategist, Rise Digital Health Consulting | NYC

🔗 linkedin.com/in/misanuccio/

Can help with: Digital health consulting model, practice structure, health plan sales

Draft message:

Hi Misa,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review and moving toward a consulting/FDE model for health plans.

I noticed you run Rise Digital Health Consulting. I'd love to learn how you've structured your consulting practice - what's working, what you'd do differently.

Would you have 20 minutes to chat?

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5. Kelsey Hilbrich

Former Principal, Flexpoint Ford (Healthcare PE) | Menlo Park

🔗 linkedin.com/in/kelsey-hilbrich-54578756/

Can help with: PE perspective on AI services companies, deal structuring, growth metrics

Draft message:

Hi Kelsey,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review - helping health plans automate medical necessity determinations.

I'm curious how healthcare PE thinks about AI-enabled services companies. What metrics and models are most attractive? How do you see AI changing the healthcare services landscape?

Would love to get your perspective if you have 20 minutes.

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6. John Dayton, MD, MBA

Stanford Faculty / Intermountain Ventures Advisor | Salt Lake City

🔗 linkedin.com/in/johndaytonmd/

Can help with: Health system perspective on AI vendors, intermountain region dynamics

Draft message:

Hi John,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review.

Your unique vantage point - Stanford faculty, practicing physician, and Intermountain Ventures - is exactly the perspective I'm trying to learn from. How do health systems really think about AI adoption? What makes a vendor credible?

Would love to chat if you have 20 minutes.

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7. Julia Bernstein

Healthcare Leader, Advisor, Investor | NYC

🔗 linkedin.com/in/jfbernstein/

Can help with: Healthcare advisory, investor perspective, network introductions

Draft message:

Hi Julia,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review.

I noticed your experience as a healthcare leader and advisor. Would love to connect and learn how you think about the AI transformation in healthcare.

Open to a brief chat?

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8. Toby Barrack, MD/MBA

Venture Investor & Advisor, Disrupt Technology Venture | Palo Alto

🔗 linkedin.com/in/toby-barrack-md-mba-5a1478104/

Can help with: Physician executive view on AI, venture evaluation criteria

Draft message:

Hi Toby,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review - helping nurses with medical necessity determinations.

Your background as a physician executive and venture investor is exactly the perspective I'm looking for. How do you evaluate healthcare AI companies? What signals credibility to the clinical side?

Would love to chat if you have 20 minutes.

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9. Marta G. Zanchi

Health Tech Investor @ nina capital / Stanford Biodesign Advisor | US

🔗 linkedin.com/in/mgzanchi/

Can help with: VC perspective, fundraising pitch validation, Stanford network

Draft message:

Hi Marta,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review - automating medical necessity determinations for health plans.

I'd love to get your investor perspective on the AI + healthcare services space. What are you seeing? What makes a compelling investment thesis?

Would you have 20 minutes to chat?

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10. Rivka Gross

Healthcare Innovator / Founder / Advisor | NYC

🔗 linkedin.com/in/rivkagross/

Can help with: Startup advisory, health tech founder network

Draft message:

Hi Rivka,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review.

I noticed your work as a healthcare innovator and advisor. Would love to connect and learn from your experience - particularly around advising health tech startups.

Open to a brief chat?

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Tier 2: Cold Outreach (10 People)

These require cold outreach but have strong fit for our needs.

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11. Rick Abramson, MD, MHCDS, FACR

AI & Health Policy Strategist / Former Health Tech CMO | Nashville

🔗 linkedin.com/in/rick-abramson-md-mhcds-facr-72666198/

Can help with: AI strategy in healthcare, health policy perspective, CMO buying perspective

Draft message:

Hi Rick,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review - automating medical necessity determinations.

Your work at the intersection of AI and health policy is exactly what I'm trying to understand better. How do you see AI changing utilization management? What's the policy landscape look like?

Would love to get your perspective if you have 20 minutes.

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12. Brett McClung, FACHE

Former President/CEO Baptist Health / Stanford DCI Fellow | US

🔗 linkedin.com/in/brett-mcclung/

Can help with: Health system CEO perspective, board-level positioning, enterprise sales

Draft message:

Hi Brett,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review.

Your journey from Baptist Health CEO to Stanford DCI Fellow to board work is impressive. I'd love to understand how health system executives really evaluate AI vendors. What builds trust? What are the red flags?

Would you have 20 minutes to share your perspective?

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13. Jennifer Christian-Herman

Health Plan Executive / Strategic Advisor | LA

🔗 linkedin.com/in/jennifer-christian-herman-5a58759/

Can help with: Health plan executive perspective, innovation within payors

Draft message:

Hi Jennifer,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review - helping health plans automate medical necessity determinations.

Your experience as a health plan executive with innovation expertise is exactly what I'm looking for. How do payors think about adopting AI for clinical operations? What drives buy-in?

Would you have 20 minutes to chat?

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14. Erik Ragatz

Senior Advisor, Hellman & Friedman / Stanford GSB Lecturer | SF

🔗 linkedin.com/in/erik-ragatz-b615/

Can help with: Healthcare PE economics, deal structuring, M&A perspective

Draft message:

Hi Erik,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review.

Your experience at Hellman & Friedman and Stanford GSB is impressive. I'm curious how healthcare PE thinks about AI-enabled services companies. What metrics matter? How do you evaluate defensibility?

Would love to get your perspective if you have time.

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15. Bernardo Llovera

Principal & Operating Partner, New Health Investment Group | CT

🔗 linkedin.com/in/bernardo-llovera/

Can help with: Healthcare services economics, operating partner perspective, growth strategies

Draft message:

Hi Bernardo,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review.

Your role as an operating partner at New Health Investment Group caught my attention. I'd love to understand how you think about healthcare services businesses - what drives value? How do AI-enabled companies fit?

Would you have 20 minutes to chat?

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ND/SD Regional Focus (5 People)

These are prospects/contacts for the upper midwest regional strategy.

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16. Dan Conrad ⭐ REGIONAL PRIORITY

President & CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota | Fargo

🔗 linkedin.com/in/dan-conrad-44ba7916/

Can help with: Regional plan strategy, how smaller plans think about AI, ND market

Draft message:

Hi Dan,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI tools for utilization review and prior authorization.

We're specifically interested in serving regional health plans like BCBS ND. I'd love to understand how you're thinking about AI and automation for clinical operations. What challenges are most pressing?

Would you be open to a brief conversation?

Key connector: Lance Schillinger, Christy Lofgren

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17. Chelsey Matter ⭐ MOST RELEVANT ROLE

Exec Director, Government Programs, BCBS ND | Fargo

🔗 linkedin.com/in/chelsey-matter-01653525/

Can help with: Medicare/Medicaid operations, CMS compliance, government programs challenges

Draft message:

Hi Chelsey,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review - helping clinical teams with medical necessity determinations.

Your role leading government programs at BCBS ND is exactly the perspective I need. How are you thinking about AI for Medicare/Medicaid UR workflows? What challenges are most pressing?

Would you be open to a brief conversation?

Key connector: Lance Schillinger

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18. Stacie Heiden

EVP, Health Strategy & Delivery, BCBS ND | Fargo

🔗 linkedin.com/in/stacie-heiden-48b1b63b/

Can help with: Health plan strategy, innovation priorities, delivery operations

Draft message:

Hi Stacie,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review.

Your role spanning health strategy and delivery at BCBS ND is interesting. I'd love to understand how regional plans are thinking about AI adoption. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for automation in clinical operations?

Would you be open to a brief chat?

Key connector: Christy Lofgren

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19. Bill Gassen

President & CEO, Sanford Health | Sioux Falls

🔗 linkedin.com/in/billgassen/

Can help with: Health system perspective, upper midwest market, enterprise priorities

Draft message:

Hi Bill,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review - helping clinical teams with medical necessity determinations.

Sanford Health's regional presence is impressive. I'd love to understand how you're thinking about AI adoption for clinical operations. What's working? What's needed?

Would you be open to a brief conversation?

Key connectors: Avi Mukherjee, Christy Lofgren

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20. Brad Reimer

CIO, Sanford Health | Sioux Falls

🔗 linkedin.com/in/reimerbrad/

Can help with: CIO perspective on AI vendors, integration challenges, technology roadmap

Draft message:

Hi Brad,

I'm Thomas, co-founder of DaisyAI. We're building AI for healthcare utilization review.

As Sanford's CIO, you've seen the full spectrum of healthcare AI vendors. I'm curious what separates the hype from reality. What makes a vendor credible? What integration challenges do you see?

Would love to get your perspective if you have 20 minutes.

Key connectors: Pawan Kohli, Avi Mukherjee

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Key Connectors to Explore

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Recommended Outreach Order

Week 1 - Direct & Warmest:

1. Gary Kurtzman (1st connection)
2. Jacob Shiff (77 mutual)
3. James Gillespie (79 mutual)

Week 2 - Strong Mutual Paths: 4. Julia Bernstein (40 mutual) 5. John Dayton (35 mutual) 6. Misa Nuccio (30 mutual)

Week 3 - ND/SD Focus: 7. Dan Conrad (BCBS ND CEO) 8. Chelsey Matter (Gov Programs) 9. Bill Gassen (Sanford CEO)

Week 4 - PE/Investor: 10. Kelsey Hilbrich (healthcare PE) 11. Marta Zanchi (VC) 12. Erik Ragatz (H&F)

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Generated January 2025 | Files saved to research/contacts/