At Pearl Health, we believe that the best ideas thrive in environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work. For Madison Klein, our Head of Marketing, that sense of belonging has been core to his experience since day one. From crafting our message in a complex, fast-moving space to fostering a culture of curiosity and creativity, Madison’s impact at Pearl goes far beyond marketing campaigns.
We sat down with Madison to hear more about his journey to Pearl, how he thinks about marketing in healthcare, and why building a safe harbor for the “nerds of the world” has been part of the mission from the start.
To start — how would you describe what you do at Pearl?
I lead the Marketing team here at Pearl. We help primary care providers and organizations of all sizes deliver better, more proactive patient care — and to get rewarded for keeping their patients healthy. But more than that, our job is to make sure all the people in our network — whether it’s providers, their teams, or other stakeholders — have the information they need when they need it. We’re helping people understand a very complex space and showing them how Pearl can help.
It’s a big job, but it’s exciting. We get to tell meaningful stories, connect the dots between data and impact, and make sure the right people have the information they need when they need it.
How would you explain what Pearl does to someone outside of healthcare?
We’re a healthcare technology company. We give data and insights to physicians to help them deliver better, more proactive care to their patients — and get compensated for doing so. We help make value-based care work in a way that’s clear and actionable.
How would you describe the people at Pearl?
I immediately smile when I think about the people at Pearl. The team is as diverse in their interests and capabilities as they are world-class thinkers and doers. We’ve got policy wonks, technologists, artists, dreamers — and people who really care about helping our customers succeed.
I’ve never worked with such a talented, curious, and committed team. And it’s not just that people are smart — it’s that they’re kind, supportive, and fun to work with.
What brought you to Pearl in the first place?
I joined Pearl about three years ago when the company looked very different. The product was early, our network was small, and we were just starting to tell our story. What drew me in was the ambition of the mission and the opportunity to help build something from the ground up.
And honestly, it was the people. In my earliest days, I was told that this would always be a safe place for the nerds of the world — and I think we’ve stayed true to that promise. We’ve built a team where people are encouraged to be themselves, and that’s pretty special
Pearl has grown a lot since you joined. What changes have you seen?
It’s been a huge evolution. We’ve grown 40x in three years. Our product has developed immensely, our network has expanded, and our customers’ needs have gotten more complex.
And that means that our marketing approach has evolved, too. As we grow, the messaging really matters. We need to make sure that everyone in our network has the information and context they need to be successful in these programs — and that we’re telling the story of why it matters in a way that’s clear and compelling.
How does the marketing team bring Pearl’s mission to life through campaigns?
One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve built campaigns that really bring that story to life. For example, we created the Primary Care Pulse Report, which surveys hundreds of primary care providers to understand their challenges and experiences in value-based care.
We’ve also launched our annual Top 50 Value-Based Care Thinkers report, where we bring together perspectives from across the industry — providers, policymakers, academics, and more — to highlight what’s happening in the space.
The magic really happens when we can thread these stories together and help the market see the bigger picture. That’s when marketing feels the most meaningful.
How do you think Pearl is different from other companies in this space?
There are a lot of companies working in value-based care enablement. And we have a lot of respect for other organizations in this space — some of whom have been around longer than we have.
But what makes Pearl different is that we take a technology-first approach. We’re not just adding more staff and bodies on the ground. We’re leading with data and insights, giving clinical care teams and coordination teams the information they need in real time to identify patients who might be slipping through the cracks.
That’s how you change the system — and I think we’re at the cutting edge of that shift.
You used to live on a sailboat. Are there any lessons from boat life that apply to your work at Pearl?
So many! One of the biggest things I took away from living on the boat is: You’ve got to keep it loose to keep it tight. It’s the moments when I was too rigid with the mechanics of the boat — when I tried to control everything too tightly — that I got myself into trouble. When I let the boat do what it was designed to do and stayed flexible, that’s when things worked better.
And that applies to how we work at Pearl. You need a clear direction and well-set intentions, but you also need to be able to adapt, collaborate, and stay open to change. That’s when the best work happens.
What excites you most about the future of Pearl?
We’re at an inflection point where our mission — using technology and data to transform how healthcare works — is aligning with real market momentum and technological capability. This is a hard mission. But if you’re someone who wants to work with purpose — and with truly incredible people — this is the place to be.
We’re just getting started. As technology continues to evolve, I think we’re uniquely positioned to take advantage of it in a way that’s meaningful for providers and patients. It’s an exciting time to be here.
At Pearl, we’re grateful to have leaders like Madison who bring creativity, strategy, and a human touch to everything they do. Whether it’s refining our message, supporting the team, or building a culture where people can be themselves, Madison’s impact is felt every day.
Interested in joining the Pearl team? We’re currently hiring a Director of Product Marketing. If you’re passionate about storytelling, strategy, and making a difference in healthcare, we’d love to hear from you. Check out opportunities on our Careers Page.
