We are proud to share that Krysta Cass has been named a 2026 Nashville Business Journal Woman of Influence, joining an extraordinary group of leaders recognized for shaping the future of Middle Tennessee.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence Awards, a milestone that celebrates two decades of spotlighting women whose leadership, courage, and vision are transforming companies and communities across our region. This anniversary class honors trailblazers who are not only excelling in their fields, but also redefining what impactful leadership looks like.
Krysta exemplifies the spirit of this recognition. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation as a thoughtful, results-driven leader – someone who brings clarity to complexity, builds trust across organizations, and drives meaningful, sustainable change. Her work reflects a deep commitment to excellence, collaboration, and long-term impact, both within the organizations she serves and the broader community.
Krysta brings a wealth of experience leading growth, operational excellence, and value creation a a member of Council Capital’s Value Creation Team where she is actively serving as the president of the firm’s portfolio companies SaVida Health and Advanced Behavioral Solutions.
She previously led strategic development initiatives for a private equity–backed platform, where she was responsible for enterprise-wide value creation planning, commercial expansion, and strategic acquisitions, driving substantial EBITDA growth and positioning the business for long-term success. Before that, Krysta held senior leadership roles in cell and gene therapy at a global biopharmaceutical company, where she helped lead the commercialization of the first gene-editing cure for sickle cell disease, working across global regulatory, manufacturing, payer, and provider stakeholders. Earlier in her career, Krysta served as a decorated officer in the U.S. Army, managing large-scale infrastructure and logistics operations in complex, high-stakes environments.
In addition to her operating roles, she serves as a Teaching Fellow at Yale School of Management, mentoring future leaders in private equity and healthcare investing. She is also a trained Physician Assistant and practiced as a clinician in orthopedic surgery.
Krysta hold a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management, and a M.S. from the Tufts University School of Medicine.
This rare combination of military leadership, clinical experience, and private equity value creation gives Krysta a distinctive, mission-driven approach to leadership that has earned her wide respect across industries.
The Women of Influence honorees span every corner of the business landscape, yet they share a common thread: they are innovators, mentors, barrier-breakers, and change-makers whose stories inspire others to lead boldly. Krysta’s recognition is a testament not only to her professional achievements, but also to the example she sets for the next generation of leaders.
Following the awards event, each honoree will be featured in a dedicated profile in the Nashville Business Journal’s weekly edition throughout the year. We look forward to seeing Krysta’s story highlighted among this exceptional group and celebrating the impact she continues to make.
