SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Frazier Healthcare Partners, a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on the healthcare industry, is pleased to announce the additions of three experienced professionals to its Center of Excellence: Sanji Fernando, Partner – Data & Artificial Intelligence, Steve Blackhart, Vice President – Corporate Development, and Lindsey Murphy, Director – Sales Operations.
Frazier continues to focus on the strategic expansion of its dedicated Center of Excellence (CoE), providing Fortune 500 talent to our portfolio companies in the areas of Human Capital, Technology & Innovation, Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence, M&A & Corporate Development, Finance, Operations, Legal, Commercial Excellence, and ESG. Frazier Managing Partner Ben Magnano said, “As the firm continues to invest in the breadth and depth of this team, we are targeting expansion in areas where we see accelerated value creation opportunities as part of our differentiated strategy.”
"Frazier is fortunate to have such a talented, collaborative group of professionals who enjoy supporting our management teams and helping them drive transformation,” said Andy Caine, CoE COO & Partner. “We are thrilled to welcome Sanji, Steve, and Lindsey to our team, each of whom brings a wealth of experience in their areas of expertise.”
About Sanji Fernando: Sanji joined Frazier’s CoE Data & AI team after serving as SVP of AI Products and Platforms at Optum, where he spearheaded the development of next generation AI to transform healthcare. He launched United AI Studio, a unified platform enabling rapid experimentation and deployment of advanced ML across UHC and Optum. The United AI Studio provides access to cutting-edge capabilities like Generative AI while ensuring rigorous monitoring of model performance and evaluating models for bias. Previously, Sanji pioneered the application of deep learning for risk adjustment, automating the identification of hierarchical condition codes from medical charts. This innovation drove efficiencies and positioned UnitedHealth as an AI leader in healthcare administration. Sanji also founded Optum Labs' Center for Applied Data Science (CADS), delivering innovative AI and Machine Learning solutions to complex healthcare challenges. With his proven track record of leveraging AI to create enterprise value, Sanji was key in positioning UnitedHealth to the forefront of healthcare's digital transformation. His leadership and technical acumen make him a strategic driver of transformative innovation for the organization. Sanji obtained his BS in Computer Science from Trinity College in Hartford.
About Steve Blackhart: Steve Blackhart is an M&A professional with extensive transaction experience on both the buy-side and sell-side. He joins Frazier from Black Eagle Advisors, an M&A advisory firm he founded in 2015. There, Steve executed transactions across a wide breadth of industries, including healthcare, business services, and consumer products. He also provided strategic guidance in the formation of corporate development functions within newly acquisitive organizations and served as the head of M&A for a number of companies. Most recently, Steve led corporate development for MiX Telematics (NYSE: MIXT), directing the Company’s acquisition of Trimble’s Field Services Management division and its merger with Powerfleet (NASDAQ: PWFL). Steve began his career in the investment banking division of Bank of America Merrill Lynch before becoming a private equity professional at FFL Partners. At FFL, Steve was involved in the firm’s investments in healthcare, consumer products, and financial services businesses. Steve holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
About Lindsey Murphy: Lindsey has over 12 years of experience in sales operations, and in her role at Frazier, she will support its portfolio companies with sales operations, including improving sales processes, tools, and pipeline management. Her responsibilities include utilizing expertise in data analysis, CRM administration, and sales forecasting to improve sales efficiency and revenue growth. Prior to Frazier, she was the Director of Sales Operations at Parata, a Frazier portfolio company. During her time at Parata, Lindsey provided strategy, design, and execution of sales processes for the commercial organization leading to increasing revenue from $75 million to $275 million. Lindsey received her BS in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
About Frazier Healthcare Partners:
Founded in 1991, Frazier Healthcare Partners is a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on the healthcare industry. Since its inception, Frazier has raised over $8 billion of capital for private funds and co-investment opportunities and has invested in more than 200 companies over 32 years. Frazier has a philosophy of partnering with strong management teams while leveraging its internal operating resources and network to build exceptional companies. Frazier is headquartered in Seattle, WA, and invests broadly across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
For more information about Frazier Healthcare Partners, visit www.frazierhealthcare.com.
