With more than 30 years of experience in business development and market research, Chris Jann has built a career around helping clients make smart decisions. Today, as Healthcare Business Development Leader at Wold Architects & Engineers, he brings that seasoned strategic mindset and creative aptitude to healthcare organizations navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.
From his early appreciation of the power of data to his passion for building meaningful relationships, Chris approaches healthcare business development with curiosity and adaptability to create value for clients. Read on to learn more about Chris’s background and how he applies his unique perspective to improve and strengthen the healthcare market.
“I like a challenge, and I like learning new things. Healthcare is constantly changing and every project has unique needs. That’s what keeps the work interesting.”
Chris started as a graphic designer before transitioning into business development for CAD and CAM equipment software, eventually landing in the architectural world. A move from northern Illinois to Minnesota coincided with the early days of Google and Salesforce, and Chris began to see how valuable data could be in a project's early stages. He says, “If you can collect, collate and disseminate data effectively, you can get in front of opportunities and make better decisions.”
That data-driven mindset has remained a constant throughout his career. He launched and ran his own firm for 10 years before passing it on to his son, and then took on consulting work during a brief stint in Madison, WI. His path eventually led him back to Minnesota to be closer to family, and he soon found himself drawn to Wold. He is energized by the changing healthcare landscape and the opportunity to work with organizations across specialties and sizes, providing tailored support ranging from comprehensive consulting services to specialized design expertise.
“I was familiar with Wold’s reputation in the public sector and reached out because I wanted to learn more,” he said. “What stood out immediately was how progressive and forward-thinking the firm is. There’s a genuine commitment to continuous improvement, whether that’s through technology, processes or simply finding better ways to serve clients.”
One piece of career advice has stuck with him over the years, courtesy of the late Verne Jacobsen, a former coworker at TKDA: “Just make friends.” It's a simple philosophy, but one that's fundamentally shaped Chris's approach to relationships in business development. He sees it as a process built on both relationships and structure.
This relationship-first philosophy also applies to his attraction to Wold. "I've never been at a company with more laughter," he said, reflecting on how much he's enjoyed his time with the Wold team so far.
At Wold, Chris’s goal is to help create a more organized, systems-based approach that allows clients and project teams to move forward with confidence. Yes, his job requires a deep understanding of how projects are funded, planned and delivered to help clients navigate increasingly complex challenges, but at its heart, it’s about the value one team can bring to another in the spirit of partnership.
“We’re striving to make our process mechanical in nature,” he said. “We know the next cog in the system is going to connect perfectly. When you have that level of organization from a marketing and business development standpoint, we can focus more energy on solving problems and creating value.”
As healthcare systems face mounting financial pressures, workforce challenges and shifting care models, Chris believes flexibility will be increasingly important. One trend he is watching closely is the continued evolution of regionalized care models. Rather than concentrating every service in a single location, healthcare organizations are exploring new ways to bring care closer to patients through specialized facilities and strategically distributed services. This is especially true for the increased demand for standalone emergency departments. He also sees opportunities in the overlap between healthcare and hospitality to improve patients’ care experience through comfort and convenience.
These trends echo Chris’ passion for helping hospitals find creative, sustainable ways to stay profitable and stabilize funding while improving the quality of care they deliver. He also points to “Forecast Design,” or future-proofing healthcare facilities, as a major focus for Wold and the healthcare industry at large.
Chris believes flexibility will also be essential as technology continues to reshape what high-performing healthcare environments look like. At Wold, he is committed to embracing change and leading technology implementation changes in the healthcare environment.
Outside of work, Chris recharges with his wife's home cooking and plenty of time outdoors. He's an avid hiker, birdwatcher and wildlife enthusiast, and he loves photographing both wildlife and urban environments, including the occasional social commentary shot. Golf and fly fishing round out his outdoor pursuits, and he's a proud father of three sons. At home, he and his wife keep a shared studio stocked with art supplies for painting, mosaics and sculpture. If architecture and business development hadn't called his name, Chris says he'd likely be a painter, working in watercolor and pastels.
He also has a well-mapped travel bucket list. Switzerland tops it, by way of an ambitious route through Italy, Luxembourg, Germany and France, combining breathtaking landscapes, historic architecture and artistic inspiration.
To learn more about Chris, his experience and insights, visit here. Our Focal Point series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the talented team members who bring our work to life.
