Staci Beltran serves as a Senior Director at Agenda Health, where she specializes in guiding healthcare business owners through successful mergers and acquisitions. She assists clients in navigating the intricacies of these transactions, enhancing business value, and securing the best possible outcomes. With a deep background in home health and hospice, Beltran’s expertise is built on years of experience in leading mergers, acquisitions, and growth initiatives. She has played a key role in the acquisition process for one of the largest hospice organizations in the country and has worked across both publicly traded and private equity-backed environments. Proficient in every stage of the deal lifecycle, Beltran is adept at strategy development, relationship management, financial modeling, opportunity analysis, negotiation, and post-transaction integration.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Outlook Magazine, Staci shared her professional trajectory, insights on diversity and inclusion, the secret mantra behind her success, her favorite quote, future plans, pearls of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Staci. What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare M&A, and what motivates you to continue helping business owners achieve success in buying and selling their businesses?
I fell into healthcare M&A by accident. I spent several years as a community liaison in home health and hospice, where I worked directly with patients, families, and referral sources, and absolutely loved it. Over time, I became interested in learning more about the business side of things, and when a position with Bristol Hospice opened as a Hospice Development Analyst, I decided to take a leap. The role involved sourcing M&A targets and supporting other business development functions. Though I knew little about M&A at the time, I was excited about the opportunity to work closely with the leaders of a national agency. It turned out to be a great decision, and it opened so many doors for me professionally.
What do you love the most about your current role?
What I love most is being able to help those who have worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much to achieve the American dream of business ownership. It’s incredibly inspiring to hear their stories—how they started, grew, and overcame challenges in their journey. Their passion and perseverance are a constant source of motivation for me.
What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in your field? How important is it to have authentic conversations with leaders, professionals, and changemakers to create more acceptance across the globe?
My field still has a long way to go when it comes to diversity and inclusion. The statistics speak for themselves, and I am one of the very few women in the nation working within my niche of healthcare M&A. I’m fortunate to have strong relationships with many of my female competitors. Creating more opportunity and acceptance starts with authentic conversations and sharing data—these are essential steps to advancing diversity in the industry.
You were recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Salt Lake City for 2024. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
My mantra is to work hard with high integrity on the areas of my life that matter most. There have been times when I didn’t have as much balance, but the lessons I’ve learned through those seasons were necessary for me to get where I am now. Ultimately, we are all creators of our own lives, and that’s a truly beautiful thing.
If you could have a one-hour meeting with someone famous who is alive, who would it be and why?
If I could have a one-hour meeting with someone famous who is alive, it would be Sha’Carri Richardson. I admire her resilience, confidence, and ability to overcome adversity. Despite facing criticism and setbacks, she consistently rises above them, demonstrating remarkable strength. I would love to hear about her journey, the mental and emotional challenges she’s faced, and how she stays motivated to perform at the highest level. Sha’Carri represents perseverance and self-belief, and I believe her story would offer valuable insights into overcoming obstacles in both sports and life.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
There are so many people I’m grateful for, but if I had to choose just one, it would be my Dad. He supported me and my six siblings as a door-to-door salesman, and my first job was knocking on doors for him. We’d listen to Tony Robbins and The Secret while driving from neighborhood to neighborhood. I’m naturally introverted, but those early sales experiences shaped me into who I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am without his love, support, and the positive attitude he’s always carried.
How do you keep your mind healthy and stay resilient? And how do you motivate your team?
I keep my mind healthy and stay resilient by focusing on what’s truly important to me—family and faith. I’ve found that when things go wrong, it helps to ask myself if the issue will matter in five years. Most often, the answer is no. Staying mindful of that and grounded in the present moment helps me stay resilient.
What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is: “Hard work pays off, but no one tells you when.” It’s a simple truth that keeps me motivated to keep working hard and to enjoy the journey, even when I can’t see the immediate results.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I see myself in a position where I can give back more. That’s a goal of mine. As I continue to build my career with more freedom and flexibility, it will allow me to dedicate more time to helping others and making a positive impact.
What advice would you give to healthcare business owners who are considering buying or selling their businesses?
For sellers, I would advise doing the necessary work upfront to ensure you have a sellable business. This means having a strong team that can operate the business without you, maintaining profitability, and ensuring a smooth transition for the new owner. For buyers, I recommend having a solid thesis on what you’re buying and why. While there’s a lot more I could share, that’s the core of what I would suggest.