Meet Michael Gaven: Availity’s CGO Talks Scale and Strategy

At a time when health information exchange has never been more critical, Availity is excited to welcome Michael Gaven as its new Chief Growth Officer. With deep experience scaling tech organizations and delivering measurable impact, Michael brings a thoughtful, customer-centric approach to growth—and a strong belief in the value of partnership. We sat down with Michael to talk about his leadership philosophy, his approach to growth, and why he believes Availity is uniquely positioned to lead the healthcare data transformation ahead.

Q: What drew you to Availity at this moment in your career?

Michael Gaven: From the first conversation, it was clear this was an organization that was aiming to make an impact across the healthcare ecosystem. Availity sits in a really important place—right between health plans and providers. Because of this, I saw the unique positioning of a company that already has scale but was also ready to forge ahead. That’s important because scaling something from zero to one is different from scaling something that’s already moving fast. I also looked for an organization with leadership that exemplifies humility and confidence. Availity has that.

Q: How do you think about growth in a B2B healthcare environment?

Michael Gaven: Growth in healthcare is complex. You can’t just push out a product and expect the market to adopt it. You must deliver value, prove outcomes, and build trust. My job as Chief Growth Officer isn’t just to grow revenue—it’s to grow relationships. I need to understand what both payers and providers need, sometimes before they know they need it. I am aiming to make sure we’re solving problems that can set our partners up for success in the long term.

Q: What role does data play in that growth?

Michael Gaven: Data is foundational—but only if it’s actionable. Everyone talks about interoperability, but what really matters is insight. How do we move from fragmented transactions to connected intelligence? That’s where Availity shines. We’re sitting on top of the rails that move so much of the industry’s data. We can help our partners unlock value from that to make more informed decisions.

That’s the next frontier: making sure that the right data shows up at the right moment in the right workflow. When we do that, we reduce friction, increase trust, and ultimately improve care.

Q: You’ve mentioned trust several times. Why is that such a key theme for you?

Michael Gaven: Because without trust, nothing scales. In healthcare, customers are skeptical—and rightfully so. They’ve seen vendors overpromise and underdeliver. My view is: You earn trust through outcomes. When you help someone solve a problem, and you stay accountable through the messy middle, that’s when the relationship gets sticky. Part of my job is to build on Availity’s solid foundation and make sure every new solution or partnership we bring forward reinforces it.

Q: What’s something you think the market underestimates about Availity?

I think the market underestimates just how much signal is already flowing through Availity. We have visibility into so many parts of the healthcare transaction chain, and that gives us a unique vantage point. We’re not guessing—we’re seeing real problems in real time. That gives us the opportunity to respond with real solutions.

Q: Final thoughts—what excites you most about what’s ahead?

Michael Gaven: The opportunity to make an impact at scale. We’re in a moment where healthcare is being forced to evolve—faster than ever. Availity is already a critical piece of that infrastructure. If we can continue to innovate while staying grounded in customer outcomes, the possibilities are endless. I’m excited to be part of a team that’s not just chasing growth but doing it the right way. With purpose, with empathy, and with a whole lot of grit.

Stay tuned for more insights from our leadership team as we continue to accelerate toward a more connected, efficient, and trusted healthcare ecosystem.