Meet the Leadership Team

Sarah Ahmad is a healthcare leader with a bold approach to solving industry challenges, combining 30 years of expertise at the intersection of health insurance, care delivery, data, and technology. She believes real change happens when conventional thinking is challenged, meaningful connections are made, and care remains at the center of every decision.

Prior to joining CAQH, Sarah served as Senior Vice President of Health and Wellness at Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada’s largest pharmacy and health retailer. There, she led a portfolio of pharmacy services, medical clinics, provider technology, retail home health stores, and digital health solutions. Sarah has also held executive roles as Chief Innovation Officer at Magellan Health, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Transformation Strategy at Highmark Health, and in product development, clinical operations, and network development at Humana.

Deeply committed to empowering others and creating pathways for women in leadership, Sarah approaches every challenge with curiosity, courage, and a relentless focus on delivering measurable impact.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University, a Master of Health Services Administration from Webster University, and an MBA from the University of Louisville. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband and two children, introducing them to new people and cultures.

Ashley Blankette is an innovative leader with 18 years of experience in digital product management, human-centered design, and customer experience. As Chief Product Officer at CAQH, Ashley oversees product strategy and development, focusing on reducing healthcare administrative burdens and improving efficiencies in provider and member data management.

Before joining CAQH, Ashley served as Vice President of Digital Product Management and Experience at Highmark Health, where she led the creation of large-scale digital platforms to improve member health engagement. Her extensive expertise in digital solutions positions her to drive bold innovations that transform the healthcare experience for providers, payers, and patients alike.

With an educational and professional background rooted in design, Ashley’s career has extended to leadership in innovation and digital product management. A lifelong learner, she continues to expand her educational credentials, including an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

George Irungu is a seasoned security leader with extensive experience building, leading, and managing enterprise Information Security programs that align with organizational strategy and business objectives. As Chief Information Security Officer at CAQH, George is committed to safeguarding sensitive healthcare data and ensuring the secure exchange of information. Through robust security governance, risk-based decision-making, and a focus on operational efficiency, he enables CAQH to confidently advance its mission of reducing healthcare administrative burdens.

Prior to joining CAQH, George held security leadership roles across healthcare, oil and gas, and retail industries. He established comprehensive security governance structures, developed multi-year roadmaps, and introduced frameworks to mature security postures. As a trusted advisor to executive leadership teams and boards of directors, George deftly balances security controls with business needs, ensuring fiduciary responsibility while fostering sustainable growth.

George holds a master’s degree in technology management – with a concentration in Cyber Security from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from the University of Houston.

Kim Koebel is a results-driven healthcare executive known for transforming intricate business challenges into successful, actionable strategies. As Chief Operating Officer, Kim has responsibility over shared services including Operations, Human Resources, Information Security, and other key functional areas that are essential to delivering data and administrative solutions for the U.S. healthcare system.

Throughout her career, Kim has demonstrated her commitment to advancing healthcare, consistently introducing innovative approaches that elevate experiences and outcomes across the industry. Kim has held key leadership roles in product and business strategy, operations, marketing, and communications. Most recently, Kim held senior leadership roles in clinical and behavioral health product development and consumer innovation at Humana.

A graduate of Spalding University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Kim has a passion for continuous learning and holds certifications from Harvard Health Care, Texas A&M, and Pragmatic Institute.

Wsam Mahmoud brings over 25 years of leadership experience in software engineering and healthcare IT to CAQH. As Chief Technology Officer, he oversees all technology initiatives, driving CAQH's innovation, cloud strategy, and software engineering excellence. Wsam’s teams work across the organization to deliver solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare operations.

Before joining CAQH, Wsam served as Senior Vice President of Software Engineering at NextGen Healthcare, where he led globally dispersed teams in delivering award-winning digital solutions. Under his leadership, the organization achieved a transformative shift to cloud infrastructure, adopted lean agile methodologies, and significantly improved software quality, leading to more reliable products, faster releases, and increased client satisfaction.

Wsam’s extensive background includes leadership roles at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and Allscripts, equipping him with deep insights into both healthcare and technology. Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Wsam holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Deakin University.

Chris Schaefer is a dynamic and seasoned financial executive who brings over 25 years of specialized experience in both healthcare and finance to his role as Chief Financial Officer at CAQH. In this role, Chris is responsible for directing the organization's financial strategies and leading the finance and legal teams to bolster CAQH's position as a leader in healthcare data solutions.

Chris’s professional journey is marked by significant achievements in corporate development, investment banking, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining CAQH, he served as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at PharMerica. With an impressive track record of fostering corporate growth and performance enhancement, Chris has also held pivotal roles at CIT Healthcare and Boston Heart Diagnostics.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA with a focus on finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Erin Weber is a recognized leader in the healthcare industry, with 14 years of experience at CAQH. As the Chief Policy & Research Officer, she leads the Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange (CORE), a collaboration focused on healthcare automation and efficiency. Erin also oversees CAQH Insights, which publishes the annual Index report, and directs Public Affairs.

Known for her deep expertise, Erin effectively unites diverse stakeholders to tackle industry challenges, ensuring that every initiative is grounded in solid research, data, and insights.

Before joining CAQH, Erin was a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), managing government engagements, and led revenue cycle research at the Advisory Board Company. She is passionate about fostering collaboration among stakeholders and driving change through innovation.

Erin holds a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University. Her leadership has made her a key voice in healthcare standards and policy.