Veteran consulting executive to lead the firm’s next phase of growth; co-founders Susan Acker-Walsh and Mike Townley to transition into senior executive consultant roles focused on strategic client engagements
DURHAM, N.C. — October 20, 2026 — CREO, LLC, an award-winning management consulting firm serving the life sciences ecosystem, today announced the appointment of Matthew (Matt) Klein as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 30, 2026.
Mr. Klein joins CREO from North Highland, a global change and transformation consultancy, where he most recently served as Senior Managing Director, Chief Customer Officer, and Global Head of Life Sciences. Over more than a decade at the firm, he held a breadth of enterprise leadership roles, including Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, building the firm’s demand generation and commercial operations capabilities, leading operational and profitability improvements, and repositioning its Life Sciences practice into one of the firm’s highest-growth industry businesses.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Klein served as Senior Vice President and Head of Global Marketing and Communications for Aon Benfield, a multibillion-dollar division of Aon operating in more than 50 countries and held strategy consulting roles with Zyman Group and A.T. Kearney. He began his career in executive search with DHR International.
A Leader Built for CREO’s Next Chapter
Since its founding in 2015, CREO has grown into a trusted partner to biotech, biopharma, medtech, CRO, CDMO, and pharma services companies and their investors. Mr. Klein’s appointment marks the firm’s evolution from a founder-led boutique into a scaled, institutionalized consulting platform built on repeatable growth, expanded and productized offerings, and the operational infrastructure to support clients through every stage of their journey.
“Matt is a proven business builder,” said Brian Berkin, Partner, Grant Avenue Capital and CREO Board Member. “Throughout our search, he stood out for his ability to move seamlessly between strategy and execution, his deep experience scaling consulting businesses, and his vision and conviction for CREO’s future.”
“I strongly admire CREO’s reputation and unique position in the life sciences market. The caliber of its people, the practical, roll-up-your-sleeves way it delivers impact, and the trust it has earned from its blue-chip clients are all incredibly compelling,” said Mr. Klein. “Susan, Mike and this team have built something special. I’m honored to join them and excited to help scale the firm’s platform for the companies and investors working to bring new therapies and technologies to patients.”
Co-Founders Return to Their Passion: Clients
As part of the leadership transition, co-founders Susan Acker-Walsh and Mike Townley will transition into the roles of Senior Executive Consultants. They will focus on growing CREO’s presence in the Research Triangle Park market and leading strategic engagements for the firm’s clients, returning full-time to the client work that has defined CREO from its earliest days.
“Bringing in a CEO of Matt’s caliber is the culmination of a plan we set in motion when we partnered with Grant Avenue,” said Susan Acker-Walsh and Mike Townley, CREO’s co-founders. “CREO has always been about delivering real results for our clients, and Matt’s leadership allows us to devote ourselves fully to that mission while he continues to build a platform that will carry the firm forward. We could not be more excited about what comes next.”
About CREO
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, CREO Consulting is a management consulting firm dedicated to catalyzing growth across the life sciences ecosystem. CREO partners with biotech, biopharma, medtech, CRO, CDMO, and pharma services companies and their investors across five practice areas: Strategy, Growth & Transformation; Technology Strategy & Solutions; AI & Data Sciences; IT Managed Services and Quality & Regulatory Consulting. Known for its practical, hands-on approach to client delivery, CREO has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies four times. Learn more at creoconsulting.com.
About Grant Avenue Capital
Grant Avenue Capital is a healthcare-focused, middle-market private equity firm targeting investments alongside forward-thinking management teams that seek an experienced and innovative investor with operational insight and flexible capital to drive business growth. With decades of healthcare investing experience, deep industry knowledge, and a broad network of relationships, Grant Avenue actively supports the strategic and operational initiatives of its investments in pursuit of exceptional outcomes. Grant Avenue partners with companies in a variety of transaction structures, including founder recapitalizations, majority buyouts, minority investments, corporate carve-outs, and special situations. Grant Avenue is committed to delivering outstanding, risk-adjusted returns by actively building world-class companies that enhance patient health, strengthen the health system, and positively impact communities they serve. For more information, visit www.grantave.com.