Health Catalyst has appointed Simeon Kohl as CEO and President, effective September 14, succeeding Ben Albert, who will become Chief Business Officer. Kohl joins after leading Performant Healthcare through a strategic and operational transformation, while Albert will continue supporting Health Catalyst’s strategic priorities in his new role.
Key Takeaways
- Simeon Kohl will become Health Catalyst CEO and President on September 14, 2026.
- Kohl will join Health Catalyst’s Board of Directors as part of the leadership transition.
- Ben Albert will become Chief Business Officer after serving as CEO and President.
- Albert will step down from Health Catalyst’s Board effective September 13.
- Kohl previously served as CEO of Performant Healthcare before its sale to Machinify for approximately $670 million.
Health Catalyst Appoints Simeon Kohl as CEO
Health Catalyst CEO Ben Albert will transition out of the company’s top executive role on September 14, when Simeon Kohl becomes CEO and President. Kohl will also join the Salt Lake City, Utah-based healthcare intelligence company’s Board of Directors as part of the leadership change.
The company announced the appointment on September 8, 2026. Albert will remain with Health Catalyst as Chief Business Officer, creating a leadership structure in which the outgoing CEO continues to work with the company after the transition.
Kohl most recently served as chief executive officer of Performant Healthcare, a public healthcare company. During his tenure there, he led the business through strategic and operational changes that ended with its sale to Machinify for approximately $670 million.
Health Catalyst said Kohl brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience covering operations, growth and public-company leadership. His background at Performant Healthcare was a central part of the company’s announcement of his appointment.
Kohl is scheduled to assume the CEO and President positions on September 14. Albert will step down from the Health Catalyst Board on September 13.
Ben Albert Transitions to Chief Business Officer
Albert will continue working at Health Catalyst after leaving the CEO position, taking the role of Chief Business Officer. The company said he will work with Kohl and the leadership team on its strategic priorities.
Albert’s transition follows his tenure as Health Catalyst CEO and President, during which he led strategic priorities and operating initiatives and aligned the leadership team responsible for running the business.
The company said Albert also sharpened its focus on technologies it considers its highest-conviction areas. Health Catalyst described the resulting position as an AI-forward healthcare intelligence company focused on healthcare problems.
Albert also led the divestiture of Vitalware during his tenure. Health Catalyst said the transaction enabled the company to retire an approximately $160 million credit facility and strengthen its balance sheet.
Albert said the decision to transition the CEO role was made after considering the company’s next phase and his own position. He also said he remained confident in Kohl and would continue contributing to Health Catalyst in his new position.
The change therefore involves both a new chief executive and a reassignment of the current CEO rather than Albert leaving the company. His continued role as Chief Business Officer gives him responsibility for business activities while Kohl assumes overall executive leadership.
CEO transitions can also involve different approaches to retaining outgoing leaders. Adobe, for example, recently announced that incoming CEO Anil Chakravarthy will take over in December while longtime CEO Shantanu Narayen moves to executive chair.
Kohl Brings Healthcare Executive Experience to Health Catalyst
Kohl’s previous position at Performant Healthcare provides the main publicly disclosed background for his appointment. He served as CEO of the healthcare company before it was sold to Machinify for approximately $670 million.
Health Catalyst said Kohl’s professional experience spans more than two decades in healthcare. His background includes operational leadership, business growth and work as a public-company executive.
The appointment also adds a new member to Health Catalyst’s Board. Kohl will serve on the Board when he takes over as CEO and President on September 14.
Kohl said he was attracted to Health Catalyst because of its healthcare mission, its workforce and its proprietary data. He also pointed to the company’s documented outcomes and its opportunity to build on those assets.
Health Catalyst said its proprietary data supports $2.8 billion in documented outcomes. The figure was included in the company’s description of its business and the capabilities Kohl will inherit as CEO.
The company describes itself as a healthcare intelligence company designed to help health systems improve cost, clinical and consumer performance. Its stated focus includes AI-driven technology and the use of data to support measurable action by health systems.
Kohl’s stated priorities include stronger growth and operating performance. His comments about the opportunity at Health Catalyst connect his previous experience leading a healthcare company with the company’s stated plans for its next phase.
The healthcare sector has also been the focus of other executive leadership coverage, including reporting on healthcare executives and leadership responsibilities.
Albert’s Tenure Included Strategic and Operational Changes
Albert’s tenure included several decisions that changed Health Catalyst’s business focus and financial position. The company said he led strategic priorities and operating initiatives while establishing the leadership team now responsible for the business.
One of those decisions was the divestiture of Vitalware. Health Catalyst said the transaction allowed the company to retire its approximately $160 million credit facility.
The company also said Albert sharpened its focus on selected technologies and positioned Health Catalyst as an AI-forward healthcare intelligence company. That positioning forms part of the operating context that Kohl will inherit when he becomes CEO.
Albert will retain a leadership position after the transition. As Chief Business Officer, he is expected to work with Kohl and the rest of the leadership team on the company’s strategic priorities.
The Board also changes as part of the transition. Kohl will join the Board, while Albert will step down from it effective September 13.
Health Catalyst Chairman Justin Spencer said the Board had considered Kohl extensively and was familiar with his record. Spencer described Kohl as an experienced public-company healthcare leader and cited his operating experience and leadership approach in discussing the appointment.
The company said the Board is grateful for Albert’s work and that his continued role will keep him involved with the leadership team. The structure separates the CEO and Chief Business Officer responsibilities while retaining Albert inside the organization.
Structured succession planning can also include a defined process for identifying and preparing incoming leaders.
Health Catalyst Moves Into Its Next Leadership Phase
Kohl’s appointment gives Health Catalyst a new CEO with experience leading a healthcare company through strategic and operational transformation. His start date is September 14, one day after Albert leaves the Board.
The transition also preserves Albert’s involvement in the company. His new Chief Business Officer position will focus on working with Kohl and the leadership team to advance Health Catalyst’s strategic priorities.
Kohl said the company has nearly two decades of proprietary data behind its documented outcomes. He also identified building on those strengths to pursue stronger growth and operating performance as a reason the CEO position appealed to him.
Health Catalyst’s announcement places the leadership change alongside the company’s previous strategic actions under Albert. Those actions included the Vitalware divestiture, retirement of the approximately $160 million credit facility and a focus on selected healthcare technologies.
The incoming CEO will therefore take responsibility for a company that has already made changes to its technology focus, leadership structure and balance sheet. Albert will remain involved in the business while Kohl takes responsibility for the CEO and President roles.
The Board transition is scheduled to occur in two stages. Albert will leave the Board on September 13, followed by Kohl’s appointment to the Board when he becomes CEO and President on September 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new CEO of Health Catalyst?
Simeon Kohl is the incoming CEO and President of Health Catalyst. He will assume the positions effective September 14, 2026, and will also join the company’s Board of Directors.
When does Simeon Kohl become Health Catalyst CEO?
Kohl will become Health Catalyst CEO and President on September 14, 2026. The company announced his appointment on September 8.
What role will Ben Albert hold at Health Catalyst?
Ben Albert will become Chief Business Officer after leaving the CEO and President positions. He will continue working with Kohl and the leadership team on Health Catalyst’s strategic priorities.
What was Simeon Kohl’s previous CEO role?
Kohl most recently served as CEO of Performant Healthcare. Health Catalyst said he led the company through strategic and operational transformation before its sale to Machinify for approximately $670 million.
Why is Health Catalyst changing its CEO?
Health Catalyst said Albert concluded that transitioning the CEO role was the right decision as the company moves into its next phase. Albert will remain with the company as Chief Business Officer while Kohl takes over as CEO and President.
