HeadStart

We pride ourselves on our ability to foster a collaborative team and grow a successful business while preserving a flexible, remote work environment. With that said, it makes the gravity of in-person networking and development all the more significant, and we continuously prioritize opportunities to travel to events that open doors of opportunity, conversation, and growth. CEO and founder, Michael Stern is en route to Detroit for the Small Giants Community Summit, and will no doubt return home with valuable relationships and nuggets of insight to continue to push us forward.

We love seeing our clients in the spotlight -- and today we're shining that light Aidora in Employee Benefit News where they’re talking about how AI is making the benefits selection process a whole lot easier (and a lot less stressful) for employees. "Benefits are complicated," says Rhiana Gademsky, co-founder and CEO of Aidora, an AI-led benefit management platform. "Even HR leaders late in their career still come across concepts or questions that they don't have the answer to. For employees, selecting benefits packages and understanding the policies is largely just jargon. AI can streamline what's historically been a very cumbersome process and reduce its complexity." Couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Congrats to the Aidora team for this incredible coverage and for continuing to push the boundaries of HR tech! Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/edN9EUHJ

"If I can prove to even just a couple of investors that accessibility is profitable and can be a good investment, then that opens the doors for more assistive technology companies that are good to be funded. Then it’s not just that I’ve made a difference in this one group of people—this one population—but that our company has made a difference for an industry." - Rebecca Rosenberg, CEO and founder of ReBokeh Vision Technologies, Inc. ICYMI, our client -- and friend -- was featured in BmoreArt, sharing her story of struggle and resilience that led to a groundbreaking technology, which now helps individuals from the low vision community all over the world. Rebecca is an inspiration. Intelligent, courageous, and humble. Her story is one we're always proud to tell -- particularly in this world of rapidly evolving tech. There's no shortage of curiosity and debate over the influence of technology on our lives, and this is one case that gives us hope for a brighter future, one in which tech promises more accessibility and opportunity for those who have spent too long in neglect. Check out the full story and beautiful photography here: https://lnkd.in/gNDCtTr5

Becker's Healthcare is hosting its 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable in Chicago at the end of the month, and we're super excited to have two leaders -- and members of the HeadStart family -- sharing their knowledge and expertise with the healthcare community. Emily Durfee, Director of Corporate Venture Capital of Healthworx Ventures will be speaking on a panel discussing Clinical Innovation in Health Plan Design: Big Ideas for Bold Leaders on Tuesday, April 29th. Stacy Edgar, CEO and cofounder of Venteur will be speaking on a panel titled, "Navigating the Future of the ACA Marketplace" on Tuesday, April 29th. We're consistently inspired, not only by the incredible accomplishments of these individuals, but to work with and represent such strong and well-respected women in leadership -- not to mention in such a pivotal time in the healthcare industry. More details on the event below! https://lnkd.in/gTHchFc8

Congratulations to our client and partner Venteur on raising $20M as they announce the conclusion of their series A round! Venteur empowers businesses -- from early stage to large enterprise -- to give their employees full control over their health care choices through Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA). To date, Venteur has helped 30,000 employees at 600 businesses choose what care options work best for them, with savings upwards of 30%. You'll likely tire of hearing this, but we get to work with some pretty incredible people. Stacy Edgar, Timothy Edgar, and the team at Venteur are no exception. This country is in dire need of major healthcare reform, and with the completion of this latest round, Venteur is poised to amplify their early impact on the industry, promoting affordability and accessibility for those who need it most. Congratulations! Check out more about the raise here: https://lnkd.in/gtprJnJJ

We are fortunate to work with some incredible people, and today we're shining a spotlight on CEO and founder of Creative Talent Endeavors, Kyle Samuels. Kyle is the best of the best when it comes to Executive Search. He's been leading CTE for nearly a decade in their mission to change the face of talent, serving as a pioneer for transparency in the industry and a true champion of DEI initiatives and the value they bring to various individuals and organizations. This past year, Kyle's life took a drastic, unexpected turn as what he thought were chronic stomach pains materialized into a cancer diagnosis -- and not any cancer, but pancreatic cancer. His story is one of resilience, determination, and vulnerability. Throughout his treatment and recovery, he continued to show up for his employees, clients, and community, fighting through unimaginable change and discomfort, which no doubt kept his mind and body strong. Kyle shared some of his journey with Charlotte Business Journal this week, and it's our honor to continue to amplify his message and motivation. Check out the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gggH6S_i

Transform for the better, together. That's a wrap! CEO Michael Stern and PR Specialist Kailey McCarthy teamed up for an eventful and impactful adventure in Las Vegas at this year's conference. The ground-breaking takeaways, you ask? People care about people. Sure, it's a networking opportunity, and everyone in attendance has an MO in mind. All the more reason to acknowledge and appreciate the authenticity and realness of every conversation, the value of in-person interaction, and the ability to connect and relate to people from all walks of life, regardless of their job title, company valuation, or intellectual property. A little planning can make a big difference. No matter how well-versed we claim to be in the conference world, these events demand an abundance of energy, and that can be overwhelming and a lot to manage. Familiarizing yourself with the venue, the schedule, and any desired goals makes it all the more possible to be present and get the most out of every moment. Puppies are always a good idea. Call this a fluff piece, but every fluff piece appears a cliché until it wiggles its way into your lap, instantly opening your eyes to how much you needed it.