Website | Philadelphia, PA
Access, Population Health Management
Cayaba Care, a leading maternity health startup, is revolutionizing maternal health by providing value-based, culturally competent care to underserved and high-risk populations. Cayaba Care provides in-person and virtual care to expectant mothers in between OB/GYN visits to provide additional support and risk prevention. Through using a multidisciplinary, community-based team of doctors, doulas, nurse practitioners, lactation experts, and social workers, Cayaba Care improves maternal and neonatal outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
“I am focused on how we direct private capital to build a better, person-centered healthcare system. When I was the head of Health at the White House Office of Management and Budget under President Obama, I worked across the entire federal health landscape to lead ACA implementation, our response to Zika and several public health crises, every Medicare payment rule, and many CMMI value based care demonstrations. Since then, I have focused on how we address our short-term, piecemeal approach to complex health problems that require vision and holistic approaches.
How we leverage human capital, technology, analytics, and care design for a system that serves vulnerable, older, and various minority communities in an increasingly value-driven payment environment is the conversation all of us should be having. How we develop a health system that is fiscally sustainable and responsive to a broad set of needs is a conversation too many are not having.
I am a student of history, literature, and cultures, and yet, I am drawn to lead in healthcare. But it is that broad perspective, and perhaps my own very American and multicultural background that attracts me to this field and makes me see that healthcare is almost never only about health: context is everything.”
Jason Torres is a General Partner at Sana Capital, specializing in healthcare venture capital with a strategic emphasis on addressing disparities in access and outcomes. His career trajectory in healthcare investing, marked by a foundational experience in New York City’s diverse socio-economic landscape and a sophisticated understanding of systemic inequities, has uniquely positioned him to impact the venture capital and healthcare sectors profoundly.
His professional journey includes co-founding Mansa Capital, a private equity firm with a significant focus on healthcare, where he deployed approximately $50 million into groundbreaking healthcare ventures.
At Sana Capital, Torres has been instrumental in steering the firm towards investments that promise substantial returns and drive meaningful social impact, particularly in underinvested communities. This focus aligns with his vision of leveraging financial mechanisms to foster systemic healthcare access and equity change.
Torres’s role extends beyond investing; he is a thought leader in healthcare policy integration, operational efficiency, and impact investing. His board memberships, including Comunilife and Acacia Network, reflect a commitment towards sustainable community support and healthcare innovation.
Jason graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Information Systems & Finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and later earned an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is also a distinguished Kauffman Fellow, reflecting his deep commitment to innovation, leadership, and venture capital in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Gil is the Founder of Comunilife, a health and human services organization providing vulnerable communities with housing and culturally sensitive supportive services. She brings decades of experience in expanding primary care, improving the quality of care, and increasing access to health insurance for persons with chronic illnesses to the firm. Dr. Gil is the Commissioner on the Commission of Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s Commission on Women’s Issues.
Jonathan Diaz is a strategic operations leader with nearly ten years of proven success leading crucial initiatives within established and startup entities. With a background in business operations, analytics, and consulting, he brings a blended approach to Sana Capital. Jonathan has partnered with executives as a trusted resource and right hand to deliver on big-picture goals, build business-critical functions, and implement new tools and processes. Before joining Sana, Jonathan led operations and was part of the founding team of a venture-backed AI startup. He is proficient in driving early-stage growth, including fundraising and strategic planning, with demonstrated adaptability in managing financial, marketing, customer, and HR operations. Driven by impact, he actively mentors underrepresented founders and operators across the startup ecosystem.
Xavier is President and CEO of the Arizona Coyotes. He is the first Latino team President & CEO in NHL history. Xavier joins the Coyotes from his position as Managing Director at Clearlake Capital Group. Sana leverages Xavier’s 20-plus-year career as a business executive, investor, and dealmaker focused on investment management, corporate strategy & operations, finance, business development, and institutional capital markets.
Beto advises a family office on fund commitments and direct investments into private operating companies and is the general partner/fund manager of two funds. He frequently lectures internationally on topics ranging from tech ecosystem development and start-up mentorship and serves on the board of Exagen, Inc. (NASDAQ: XGN). Sana draws on his experience in venture capital, strategic management and planning, and board service.
Kelley combines over 20 years of experience working with leaders from all walks of life, deep meditation practice, and extensive research and practice in psychology and neuroscience. Thanks to her innovative approach and collaborative strategies, her work has become the standard by which transformative coaching is measured.
Before founding SparkShift, Kelley held pivotal roles at Heineken as the Regional Head of People & Organizational Development and the Global Head of Change Management. In these influential positions, she spearheaded organizational change and executive and talent development on a global scale, instilling confidence in her ability to drive significant transformation. Kelley is specific, incisive, compassionate, and results-driven. She operates with a scalpel, not a hammer, uncovering the underlying problems that are holding an individual or organization back from reaching their truest potential.
Karl is an experienced institutional asset management professional and has broad global investment experience having invested in venture capital, private equity, distressed securities, global tactical asset allocation and currency overlay. Karl has extensive board experience, having served in capacities such as – the Board of Governors, Tufts Medical Center (Boston), and Vice Chair, the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees, where he was also responsible for Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property. Sana pulls on Karl’s asset management and healthcare experience for long-term strategic growth.
Isabel Del Canto, MD, brings over eight years of invaluable experience in the healthcare field to her role at Sana Capital. With a background spanning from the delivery of care to the operational management of clinics, Isabel possesses a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare industry. Her expertise in utilizing quality metrics to enhance workflows and her deep understanding of data analysis and evidence-based care make her a valuable asset to our investment team. Passionate about making women’s healthcare comprehensive and accessible, Isabel aims to identify and support innovative solutions that drive positive change.
Eric brings a rich background in the founder and funder ecosystem to Sana Capital. He supports investments and is building a comprehensive investor relations platform. With a profound passion for the intersection of healthcare and technology, he leverages his understanding of systems, finance, and economics to drive Sana’s ambitious vision. Prior to joining our team, Eric spearheaded investments at a crossover fund specializing in the health, internet, and IT sectors. He has also played a pivotal role in scaling organizations backed by prominent investors, including Goldman Sachs and Y Combinator, further underscoring his ability to navigate complex landscapes. Beyond his professional endeavors, Eric actively mentors underrepresented founders in various startup programs, aiming to catalyze positive change and foster sustainable communities. Eric holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and a Master of Science from Columbia University.
Ayana has extensive experience in facilitating, coordinating, reporting, researching and communicating in different capacities. Experienced in dealing with all levels of management. Excels at multitasking in a fast-paced environment, completing projects within a time frame, assertive and detail-oriented.
