- Ken Fasola, board chair
- Lauren Sweda, chief growth officer
- Mark Peterson, chief actuary
In addition to Smith’s key hires, Mark Pontliana and Matthew Darragh will stay on in their roles as chief fintech operations officer and chief financial officer, respectively. Our growing leadership team comes at a time when a new era of healthcare is emerging. As premiums rapidly increase, defined contribution plans are transforming the health benefits market and changing the status quo. Along with a recent investment, this is truly a transformational moment not just for Nexben but for our customers, enabling strategic decisions, enhanced affordability, and a simplified benefits experience.
Meet Nexben’s executive leadership team
Our leadership team brings deep expertise and innovation across the health benefits, finance, and technology industries.
Clear direction: Mark Smith named CEO
Smith’s combined experience as an operating partner at Chicago Pacific Founders and a former senior leader at UnitedHealth equips him to lead with confidence and optimism as Nexben drives the transition to a defined contribution universe.
His journey to Nexben has come full circle in many ways. The lessons learned from leading high-growth teams and building scalable solutions are at the root of his passion to create a future where health care benefits are not just a perk for a select few but accessible for everyone.
Driving innovation: Mark Peterson named chief actuary
Peterson spent nearly two decades holding leadership positions across finance, strategy, and operations. His experience as chief actuary of Optum Labs and, most recently, a generative AI startup, positions him to drive innovation at Nexben.
“I see enormous opportunities to help our customers sharpen their ICHRA strategies, deepen their business impact, and make the health benefits landscape a space with predictable costs for employers and affordable spend for employees. This reality is closer than most think because Nexben has already been laying the groundwork to translate bold ideas into measurable results,” said Peterson.
Strategic growth: Lauren Sweda named chief growth officer
Sweda has been called on to lead the organization’s growth arm. Leveraging 15 years of experience at health-focused organizations, including her most recent role as chief growth officer for Magellan Healthcare’s employer division and director of strategic markets for Careington International Inc., Sweda is committed to tackling the longstanding health care cost crisis employers are facing and putting control over health benefits back into the hands of the consumer.
“What drew me to Nexben is its combination of cutting-edge technology and an unwavering ambition for how we can redefine health benefits as we know them today. Our team is focused on unlocking new markets, strengthening partnerships, and creating value in ways that are bold, responsible, and game-changing for the consumer,” Sweda shared.
Mark Pontliana delivers tech-driven change as chief fintech operations officer
Pontliana’s career has been built on innovation in banking, health care, financial services, and in the benefits space — including as a Nexben founding executive. He’s passionate about working alongside some of the industry’s best minds to solve problems that matter. It’s what made Nexben first to market as a true innovator.
“This is a team that isn’t satisfied with incremental progress; we’re setting our sights on meaningful transformation. I’m excited to work alongside Mark Smith in leading this charge. Ultimately, the next chapter of health benefits will be defined by how effectively we at Nexben collaborate, adapt, and lead the industry through change,” said Pontliana.
Matthew Darragh bridges financial rigor with field-level insights as chief financial officer
Darragh brings a rare cross‑industry perspective to financial and technology leadership and operational strategy. With expertise in risk management and data analysis, he has a reputation for bridging financial rigor with practical, field‑level insights.
Nexben’s newly appointed leaders bring deep expertise. Together, they form an executive leadership team designed to accelerate execution, strengthen culture, and unlock new opportunities.