Dawn Samaris

As a managing director at the consulting and advisory firm Kaufman Hall, a Vizient company, Dawn Samaris partners with health systems, academic medical centers and community hospitals nationwide to advance strategic and financial initiatives that strengthen long-term sustainability and growth.

Samaris advises executive teams and boards on complex financial and strategic challenges, including long-range financial planning, capital strategy, partnership and merger evaluation, physician enterprise alignment and system-of-care design. She guides organizations through fact-based decision-making processes that clarify priorities, evaluate alternatives and position them for durable performance. Through rigorous financial modeling, stakeholder engagement and data-driven insight — including the integration of leading clinical and operational intelligence — she enables clients to build consensus, align resources and execute strategies that improve financial resilience and competitive positioning.

With more than 20 years of healthcare consulting and financial advisory experience, Samaris is known for her ability to translate complex financial realities into clear strategic narratives that inform leadership action. She works closely with stakeholders across all levels — from boards and C-suite leaders to clinical and operational teams — ensuring alignment around the decisions required to sustain community access, support academic missions and drive responsible growth. She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and board forums on strategic financial planning, partnership strategy and the evolving healthcare landscape.

Prior to joining Kaufman Hall, Samaris was an auditor at Deloitte & Touche, where she advised complex organizations on financial reporting and compliance. She also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, an experience that continues to inform her commitment to mission-driven service and community impact.

Samaris holds a master of business administration with distinction from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor of science in business administration, summa cum laude, from the University of Arizona. She is also a CPA.