Olivia Friend-schmidt

With over 10 years of experience in healthcare, I work closely with executive teams and clinical leaders to create and lead performance improvement and change management strategies that support meaningful, sustainable transformation. I thrive in ambiguity and am trusted to advise on complex decisions with clarity, transparency, and respect. I’m known for offering direct, constructive guidance that builds psychological safety, aligns teams, and turns difficult change into deliberate, well-led progress. For nearly four years, I’ve worked in change management at Banner Health, one of the country’s largest nonprofit healthcare organizations, supporting transformation across acute and ambulatory operations, multiple clinical service lines, and corporate functions including revenue cycle, access and referrals, HR, and clinical technology innovation. My background blends strategy, systems thinking, and a strong foundation in understanding people, place, and culture. After earning my master’s in business management, I spent eight years helping build a healthcare consulting firm focused on value-based care and alternative payment models, designing innovative solutions to complex, high-cost care challenges. I hold dual bachelor’s degrees in geography and art (museum studies), with international research experience through a Yale-sponsored archaeological dig, work with the National Geographic Society, and nonprofit fieldwork in Egypt. A personal family healthcare experience ultimately grounded my career in a deep commitment to improving healthcare access, quality, and system design with both rigor and humanity.