Redefining the Mergers & Acquisitions Playbook Before 30
At just 26 years old, Lionel White and Joanell Paris-Santos aren’t just thinking big —they’re building something even bigger. As the driving force behind Urgentflex, a fast-growing mergers and acquisitions firm focused on regenerative healthcare, they’re reshaping what it means to lead, scale, and disrupt in today’s business landscape.
Their mission is clear: acquire and grow high-impact healthcare businesses, starting with cutting-edge treatments. But their larger vision is to build a company that is lean, agile, and built to last — powered by a team as driven and forward-thinking as they are.
Paris, who grew up between Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S., brings a systems-oriented mindset fueled by curiosity and a desire for impact. From his early days as the neighborhood handyman to leading scalable healthcare ventures, he’s always been fascinated by how things work — and how to make them work better. “Success is sovereignty,” he says. “I want to create value that compounds—for our team, our investors, and the people we serve.”
Lionel, originally from Jamaica, was inspired by his grandfather’s self-made real estate empire. He caught the entrepreneurial spark young, reselling KFC in school at an 80% markup, and now applies that same resourcefulness to navigating complex merger & acquisition deals. “I’ve always felt like I had a chip on my shoulder,” he says. “Now I’m focused on turning that drive into generational wealth—for my family, and for others.”
After meeting through mutual connections, the two quickly discovered their visions aligned. Together, they’ve assembled a high-performing team that includes seasoned board members like Alonzo Williams, who serves as acting CEO, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tyler Sexton, among others—all committed to growing Urgentflex with purpose.
Their approach is bold. Their timeline is ambitious. But their focus remains steady: building a culture rooted in ownership, strategy, and long-term value.
“We’re not waiting until we’re 40 to do something meaningful,” says Lionel. “We’re doing it now, and we’re bringing the right people with us.”
From transforming healthcare access to mentoring the next generation of operators, this team isn’t playing it safe. They’re building a legacy. And they’re just getting started.