John Cooper

Vice President - Venture Investment

Professional Overview
John Cooper is an experienced finance and investment professional with a strong track record of driving strategic value in the healthcare industry. As the Vice President of Venture Investment at Wellstar Health System, he is responsible for leading the organization's venture capital and private equity investment activities, with a focus on identifying and capitalizing on emerging healthcare technologies and innovative business models.

Experience Summary

Current Role
In his current role at Wellstar Health System, John is responsible for managing a $200 million venture investment portfolio and actively sourcing, evaluating, and executing investment opportunities that align with the organization's strategic priorities. He has played a pivotal role in establishing Wellstar's venture investment program, which has already made significant contributions to the organization's growth and market positioning.

Career Progression
Prior to joining Wellstar, John held several senior investment roles, including Vice President at Novant Health, where he oversaw a $150 million investment portfolio and spearheaded the organization's entry into the venture capital space. Earlier in his career, he held Associate positions at Edgeview Partners and Wells Fargo Securities, where he gained valuable experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and strategic advisory services.

Academic Background
John holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) and has been recognized for his academic excellence, earning several scholarships and awards during his studies.

Areas of Expertise

• Healthcare industry investment strategy and portfolio management

• Venture capital and private equity deal sourcing, due diligence, and execution

• Mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and strategic advisory services

• Financial modeling, valuation, and investment analysis

• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management

Professional Impact
During his tenure at Novant Health, John played a pivotal role in the organization's $75 million acquisition of a leading digital health startup, which has since become a key driver of Novant's telehealth and remote patient monitoring initiatives. At Wellstar, he has leveraged his extensive investment expertise to help the organization identify and capitalize on several promising healthcare technology startups, contributing to the system's overall growth and innovation efforts.

Conclusion
With his deep industry knowledge, investment acumen, and demonstrated leadership, John Cooper is well-positioned to continue driving strategic value for Wellstar Health System and advancing the organization's position as a leader in healthcare innovation and venture investment.