Sun Vega, MBA, brings to the OPEN MINDS team extensive experience in management and performance improvement of behavioral health and human service organizations. Her experience includes the selection and implementation of health care technology; revenue cycle management; and performance improvement in service delivery, billing, scheduling, and other operational areas.

Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Vega was the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for several years at the largest behavioral health care provider in the state of New Mexico, with over 600 employees serving 23 geographically dispersed locations in predominantly rural and frontier communities. While there, she was responsible for overall development, operation, and improvement of all of the systems that deliver agency services. As the COO, Ms. Vega gained direct experience with the implementation of systems and processes to optimize billing invoices and claims-based accounts receivables. She worked closely with managed care entities, partnering on systems improvement and quality management activities. Through her experience, Ms. Vega gained specific expertise in collaborating with stakeholders to facilitate the successful adoption of best practices for the organization.

Throughout her career, Ms. Vega has also led due diligence and operational change activities for mergers and acquisitions and fully understands the impact this has on organizations and their employees. Her involvement in this area has led to successful employee retention, positive operating revenue, and lean management of previously struggling or distressed agencies. In addition, she has assisted behavioral health organizations with workflow analysis, process improvement for clinical, front- and back-office administrative functions, and revenue cycle management.

Ms. Vega’s industry experience also includes affiliations with numerous professional agencies. She is currently a member of the Santa Fe County Health Policy & Planning Commission, Presbyterian Medical Services Head Start Advisory Committee and New Mexico Behavioral Health Planning Council, Children & Adolescent Subcommittee.

Ms. Vega received both her Masters of Business Administration and her undergraduate degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. She is also currently pursuing a law degree.