The Tolan Group Recruits CEO for Empathetics
March 8, 2024 – The Tolan Group (TTG) recently assisted in the recruitment of Pam Holt as the new CEO of Empathetics, Inc., a provider of evidenced-based techniques to engage and empower healthcare employees to deliver empathic communication. Kaye Johnson, managing partner, and senior search consultants Hailey Brandvold and Mallory Schmidt, led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Pam Holt as our new CEO,” said Helen Riess, founder, Harvard professor and psychiatrist, and internationally recognized empathy researcher. “Pam’s proven leadership and transformative approach will undoubtedly steer Empathetics toward even greater success. Pam not only possesses extensive experience but also shares our commitment to enhancing the patient, clinician, and healthcare workforce experience in these challenging times. We have full confidence in her ability to drive innovation, expand our market presence, and lead Empathetics, Inc., to achieve new milestones.”
Ms. Holt is a visionary leader with more than 25 years of healthcare and leadership experience. She is a registered nurse and has vast experience in the healthcare and technology field. The company notes that her strong execution skills and deep understanding of the healthcare industry will play a vital role in guiding Empathetics through the ever-changing landscape of healthcare and technology.
Ms. Holt’s appointment comes at a critical time for Empathetics as the company plans to raise capital to support its growth. Dr. Riess will remain as chief medical officer and thought leader to expand empathy and compassion training in organizations.
Ms. Holt previously served as general manager, U.S. for Briya. Before that, she served as VP operational consultant / senior product specialist with Emmi and Wolters Kluwer Health. Ms. Holt also served as advisor to Pangea Medical and spent over 19 years in various senior positions with Mercy.
“I am honored to lead Empathetics, Inc. as CEO,” said Ms. Holt. “Clinician retention is a critical issue in healthcare, and Empathetics’ research-backed programs have shown success in reducing turnover. I am excited to drive innovation, foster collaborations, and propel Empathetics, Inc. to new heights. Together, we will make a meaningful impact on the well-being of clinicians and the quality of patient care, solidifying Empathetics, Inc. as a trailblazer in the healthcare industry.”
Based on the outcomes of a randomized controlled trial led by Dr. Riess, Empathetics is an evidenced-based empathy education solution. The company was founded 2011 and is based in Boston.
The Tolan Group is a Hunt Scanlon Top 40 healthcare and life sciences executive search firm. It provides recruiting services for clients and candidates serving the private equity market, focused on placing leadership for healthcare services, healthcare technology, and behavioral health.
Proven Search Consultants
Tim Tolan is founder, chairman, and managing partner of the firm. He is an experienced healthcare executive leading a healthcare-centric executive search and contract staffing firm serving healthcare services, healthcare tech, long-term care, and behavioral health. Mr. Tolan has multiple decades of experience in both privately held and publicly traded companies in a variety of leadership roles. He has deep PE expertise in placing executive leadership into portfolio companies across the healthcare sector.
Related: The Tolan Group Recruits COO at Behavioral Health Solutions
Ms. Johnson is a managing partner at The Tolan Group. She has been overseeing all facets of the firm since 2015. Ms. Johnson leads the day-to-day operations, drives process and is responsible for finance and operations and strategy for TTG. Since joining the firm, Ms. Johnson has placed dozens of C-suite, EVPs, SVPs, VPs and countless individual contributors in sales, marketing, product management, operations and HR talent for PE backed organizations.
Ms. Brandvold has been with The Tolan Group for two years, serving as an executive recruiter and project manager before her promotion to senior executive recruiter earlier this year. Her expertise is in the private equity and healthcare executive search space.
Resilient Recruiting: How The Tolan Group Defied the 2023 Downturn
The executive search sector faced a perfect storm of challenges in 2023. Founders, management teams, and recruiters themselves were weathering a downturn that early indications show likely resulted in a dip of 20 percent in annual revenues. There were outliers, of course, and much of how a search firm beat the odds depended on industry focus and business development skills. But one outlier worth taking a closer look at is The Tolan Group. In 2023, the firm stood out from nearly everyone else.
The Tolan Group has been acknowledged for years as a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 healthcare and life sciences executive search firm, a Hunt Scanlon Top 60 financial services search provider, and a Hunt Scanlon Top 100 private equity recruiter. The firm provides recruiting services for clients and candidates serving mid-cap PE with a focus on placing leadership for healthcare services, healthcare technology, and behavioral health organizations.
Ms. Schmidt joined The Tolan Group in 2021 as a project manager. She was named a senior search consultant in January. Before joining The Tolan Group, Ms. Schmidt spent seven years in various positions with Northwestern Mutual.
Recent Assignment
The Tolan Group recently assisted in the recruitment of James Pereyra as the new CEO at OnePeak Medical. With a track record of in multi-site consumer healthcare, medical devices, and aesthetic skincare product manufacturing/retail, Mr. Pereyra brings experience and expertise to his new role. “His dynamic leadership style and operational expertise will allow him to drive continued growth and success for the company,” The Tolan Group said. “Throughout his career he has demonstrated an ability to consistently build market leading, scalable, and profitable companies by focusing on innovation, culture, process improvement, and operational execution.”
Mr. Pereyra previously served as CEO and board member at Physician Directed Partners, where he expanded market presence across three states. Prior roles include CEO and chairman at SEES Group, achieving organic growth and acquisitions, and president at NVISION Eye Centers, where he completed strategic acquisitions. His background in the aesthetic medical device market includes serving as senior director of sales and marketing at Solta Medical. Mr. Pereyra is also recognized for a track record of completing 28 merger and acquisition transactions.
Related: The Tolan Group Recruits CFO for The Plastic Surgery Center
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
