Emerald One proudly announces that our Founder and Chief Executive Officer, LaVerne H. Council, has been appointed Independent Chair of the Board of Directors at CONMED Corporation, effective May 21, 2025. 

CONMED is a global medical technology company that provides devices and equipment for surgical procedures across a wide range of specialties, including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, thoracic surgery, and gastroenterology.  

Council joined CONMED’s Board of Directors in 2021 and brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience spanning healthcare, technology, and public service. 

In her official statement, Council said: 

“It’s a privilege to take on the role of Chair of the Board. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Board, Pat [Beyer], and the entire CONMED leadership team on executing the Company’s long-term strategy. We are all focused on empowering healthcare providers to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients, delivering favorable returns for our stockholders, creating an engaging environment for our employees, and driving the long-term success of the business.”

CONMED’s President and CEO, Pat Beyer, expressed full confidence in Council’s leadership.

Council currently serves as CEO of Emerald One, a boutique consulting firm that helps mission-driven organizations close the gap between strategy and execution. The firm partners with clients navigating complexity to deliver measurable impact across both the public and private sectors. 

Emerald One’s services include New Asset Alignment, Resource Value Maximization, Digital Transformation, Executive Coaching, Strategic Communication, Cybersecurity, and Accessibility.  

Known for its tailored, executive-level advisory support, the firm brings strategic clarity and operational insight to every engagement.

Before founding Emerald One, Council held senior leadership roles across the private sector, federal government, and nonprofit space. She served as Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and CIO at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Corporate Vice President and Global CIO at Johnson & Johnson, and Global Vice President at Dell, Inc. She also led enterprise innovation and technology strategy at MITRE Corporation and Grant Thornton. 

In addition to CONMED, Council serves on the boards of Thomson Reuters, Concentrix, and Girl Up, where she continues to support innovation, resilience, and inclusive leadership across industries.

Emerald One, LLC is a 100% woman-owned small business focused on closing the gap between strategy and execution and specializes in digital transformation, resource value maximization, new asset alignment, and executive coaching and communication.