At Sansara, transactions are only the beginning. We’re in the business of building trusted partnerships — grounded in collaboration, experience, and aligned outcomes. Our team brings world-class expertise across industries and the full business lifecycle to help our clients reach the next level of performance.
At Sansara, transactions are only the beginning. We’re in the business of building trusted partnerships — grounded in collaboration, experience, and aligned outcomes. Our team brings world-class expertise across industries and the full business lifecycle to help our clients reach the next level of performance.
Leadership
BRET OETTMEIER
•MANAGING PARTNER
Bret Oettmeier founded Sansara Group after leading Cobalt Ventures — the investment arm of Blue Cross Blue Shield — as President and CEO. His career spans strategic leadership roles across DST Systems, Quadrangle Group, and UBS Investment Bank, where he advised on more than 75 major transactions in TMT, Energy, and Financial Services globally.
With two decades of experience and cross-industry depth, Bret has served on the boards of numerous healthcare and technology companies, including New Directions Behavioral Health, Rx Savings Solutions, and Hargray Communications. His leadership is defined by strategic clarity, operational insight, and a relentless commitment to client success.
Bret holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Kansas State University.
BRET OETTMEIER
•MANAGING PARTNER
Bret Oettmeier founded Sansara Group after leading Cobalt Ventures — the investment arm of Blue Cross Blue Shield — as President and CEO. His career spans strategic leadership roles across DST Systems, Quadrangle Group, and UBS Investment Bank, where he advised on more than 75 major transactions in TMT, Energy, and Financial Services globally.
With two decades of experience and cross-industry depth, Bret has served on the boards of numerous healthcare and technology companies, including New Directions Behavioral Health, Rx Savings Solutions, and Hargray Communications. His leadership is defined by strategic clarity, operational insight, and a relentless commitment to client success.
Bret holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Kansas State University.
PHILLIP LINVILLE
• PRINCIPAL
Phillip joined Sansara Group in 2023. He brings 15 years of principal investment and financial advisory experience. Prior to joining Sansara, Phillip was a Principal with Cobalt Ventures, the for-profit investment arm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. In his role as Principal, Phillip was involved in the evaluation and execution of new investment opportunities, as well as all aspects of portfolio management. Before joining Cobalt, Phillip was a Vice President with Petro Capital Securities, a boutique oil and gas-focused investment bank in Dallas, TX, where he focused primarily on the origination and execution of mergers, acquisitions, and private placement transactions. Phillip began his career with the investment banking group of Southwest Securities (NYSE:SWS; now, Hilltop Securities), also in Dallas, TX.
Phillip served on the Board of Directors for several venture and growth-equity stage portfolio companies, including Rx Savings Solutions, Nymbl Science, PayForward, Imaging Development Partners, CompAlliance, MedArrive and MEDVAL. Phillip earned a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the University of Kansas.
PHILLIP LINVILLE
• PRINCIPAL
Phillip joined Sansara Group in 2023. He brings 15 years of principal investment and financial advisory experience. Prior to joining Sansara, Phillip was a Principal with Cobalt Ventures, the for-profit investment arm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. In his role as Principal, Phillip was involved in the evaluation and execution of new investment opportunities, as well as all aspects of portfolio management. Before joining Cobalt, Phillip was a Vice President with Petro Capital Securities, a boutique oil and gas-focused investment bank in Dallas, TX, where he focused primarily on the origination and execution of mergers, acquisitions, and private placement transactions. Phillip began his career with the investment banking group of Southwest Securities (NYSE:SWS; now, Hilltop Securities), also in Dallas, TX.
Phillip served on the Board of Directors for several venture and growth-equity stage portfolio companies, including Rx Savings Solutions, Nymbl Science, PayForward, Imaging Development Partners, CompAlliance, MedArrive and MEDVAL. Phillip earned a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the University of Kansas.
KERRY SPAKE
• CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Kerry Spake leverages a strong legal foundation to drive organizational and strategic excellence at Sansara. Beginning her career at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, she developed an early reputation for precision and tenacity. Her legal journey continued through public service roles in New York and New Jersey, refining her skills in research, writing, and regulatory advocacy.
Since relocating to Kansas City, Kerry has applied her expertise in the business and healthcare sectors — particularly behavioral health — where her multidisciplinary background supports operational integrity and strategic focus.
Kerry holds a B.A. from Colgate University and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.
KERRY SPAKE
• CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Kerry Spake leverages a strong legal foundation to drive organizational and strategic excellence at Sansara. Beginning her career at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, she developed an early reputation for precision and tenacity. Her legal journey continued through public service roles in New York and New Jersey, refining her skills in research, writing, and regulatory advocacy.
Since relocating to Kansas City, Kerry has applied her expertise in the business and healthcare sectors — particularly behavioral health — where her multidisciplinary background supports operational integrity and strategic focus.
Kerry holds a B.A. from Colgate University and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.
