Student Spotlight

Reginald Holt

CEO , MMCV, Inc.

Class of 2024

While deeply experienced in healthcare, finance and consulting industries, Reginald D. Holt (Reggie) has continued to seek opportunities that expand his knowledge and impact. After spending several years working in Johannesburg, South Africa, Holt made the decision to return to his hometown of Nashville, TN, in 2017. “Nashville has deep personal significance for me, as I was raised on the east side and grew up immersed in the culture of Tennessee State University, where my mother worked,” he recalls. “But returning home wasn’t just about family —it was also about being in a place where healthcare innovation is thriving. Nashville has a unique ecosystem of healthcare leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs.”

Holt is one of the leaders contributing to that thriving ecosystem. He is the current president and CEO of MMCV, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Meharry Medical College (MMC) established in 1876 as a medical school. Today, MMC is the largest private, historically black health science center in the United States. In that role, Holt leans into his background in strategy and investment and his passion for healthcare, charged with finding opportunities to invest in healthcare, commercialize intellectual property, and create partnerships, all with the aim of developing revenue streams that support underfunded and unfunded programs at MMC and support its clinical enterprise.

Among Holt’s primary responsibilities is spearheading a $100 million fund designed to close gaps in healthcare by investing in companies poised for growth. “I’ve spent nearly three decades navigating the business of healthcare—on the build, buy, and sell sides across multiple verticals. The venture capital space, particularly in healthcare, presents both challenges and opportunities, and I have always been drawn to identifying solutions that create a lasting impact. What ensures a financial return when investing in healthcare is ensuring that the venture improves outcomes, expands access, and ensures sustainability. We focus on companies that align with those values.”

Because his job requires navigating complex healthcare regulatory and ethical landscapes, Holt sought out NYU’s MSHLS program as a unique opportunity to stay current and deepen his expertise. “Since childhood I’ve had an interest in law, and while practicing as an attorney was never in the cards for me, this program enabled me to engage with legal and strategic concepts in a way that directly applies to my work,” he says. “It aligned with what I was already doing, but with a level of depth and structure that sharpened my approach.

“At the end of the day, my goal is to make the best decisions in my role and for my organization. The MSHLS program gave me new tools to do that, and the connections and insights I gained will continue to influence my work for years to come.”