Schedule

2025 Health Leadership Conference
The Future of Leadership
 

February 4 – 6, 2025
Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL

AGENDA OUTLINE

Tuesday, February 4

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.              NHC’s Community Connect: The Pantry of Broward
                                                   Join us for a rewarding NHC conference volunteer experience at The Pantry of Broward, where
                                                   we support seniors living on low, fixed incomes and grandparents raising their grandchildren.
                                                   Your time and effort will make a significant impact on the lives of those in need within the
                                                   community. (Pre-registration required for this pre-conference activity) 

2:00 – 8:00 p.m.                     Registration Open

3:00 – 5:30 p.m.                      AI Horizons: Steering Teams Towards Tomorrow’s Tech Triumphs (only for CEOs, Board
                                                  Leaders, and Senior Staff)
                                                  This interactive workshop delves into Generative AI and related technologies, such as AI Agents
                                                  and Machine Learning, within the context of leadership and governance. Participants will
                                                  receive a technical foundation in AI and explore leadership-specific strategies for integrating AI
                                                  into their roles. Through a combination of presentations, case studies, and interactive
                                                  discussions, attendees will gain practical insights into leveraging AI for strategic success while
                                                  upholding ethical standards.

                                                  The workshop features engaging activities, including table discussions, role-play scenarios, and
                                                  hands-on exploration of AI tools, fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

                                                   Facilitator:
                                                •  Kiki L’Italien, VP, Marketing & Community Engagement, Big Red M

4:15 – 4:30 p.m.                       Break

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.                     Welcome Reception: An Evening of Networking
                                                   Join us for live music by Heatwave Music and an array of food and beverages. This event is the
                                                   perfect opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and forge new professional relationships in a
                                                   relaxed and enjoyable setting.

Wednesday, February 5

6:30 – 7:15 a.m.                         Sound Bath Meditation (Pre-registration required)
                                                    No matter your lifestyle, everyone can benefit from some self-care and stress relief. This class
                                                    offers sound meditation using a variety of instruments to help you achieve a deeply meditative
                                                    state, providing rapid rejuvenation and rest.
                                                    Participants will be guided through verbal meditations that transition into a soothing journey
                                                    of sound.

                                                    Instructor:
                                                 • Michelle Cash, Instructor, Divine Wave Sound

7:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.               Registration Open

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.                       Networking Breakfast Discussion Roundtables:
                                                     Chief Executive Officers/Executive Directors (Invitation only)

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.                        Conference Breakfast
                                                     Breakfast includes an opportunity to participate in discussion roundtables where attendees
                                                     can discuss top-of-mind topics, share insights, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful
                                                     dialogue with fellow attendees.

9:00 – 9:10 a.m.                         Opening Remarks and Conference Objectives
                                                     Join us for the opening session of our conference, where we will set the stage for an inspiring
                                                     and productive event. Attendees will gain insights into the key topics and sessions to look
                                                     forward to, setting the tone for a collaborative and engaging experience. Don’t miss this
                                                     opportunity to start the conference on a high note!
                                                 

                                                  • Randy Rutta
, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Council

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.               Executive Coaching Sessions (Pre-registration required)
                                                     The NHC is excited to announce a partnership with Brad Kerschensteiner, President of
                                                     Kerschensteiner Executive Coaching & Training, to offer CEOs and Board Leaders of patient
                                                     organizations, and partners of patient organizations, the chance to participate in focused,
                                                     high-impact mini-coaching sessions. These 20-minute individual sessions will address specific
                                                     leadership challenges, opportunities, strategies, and goals, and will take place onsite at the
                                                     conference. Participants are expected to complete pre-work before their session, and a
                                                     post-assessment along with follow-up will be provided after the conference concludes.
                                                
                                                 • Brad Kerschensteiner, President, Kerschensteiner Executive Coaching & Training

9:10 – 9:55 a.m.                          Keynote Address: Leading Through Polarization
                                                     CEOs, executive directors, board leaders and senior level staff are called upon to lead staff and
                                                     stakeholders internal to their organizations and lead on behalf of the mission with external
                                                     audiences and decision-makers. With our national dialogue fractured and politicized, this
                                                     presents unique leadership challenges. This session explores the current state of polarization,
                                                     highlighting the lack of trust in institutions and the cultural, historical, and psychological
                                                     factors driving division. The session will examine the risks this presents for organizations and
                                                     stakeholders and introduce strategies for navigating polarization by embracing the new
                                                     reality. Participants will gain insights into how to lead effectively in an increasingly divided
                                                     landscape.

                                                  • Bill DohertyCo-Founder, Bravers Angels

9:55 – 10:05 a.m.                        Break

10:05 – 10:50 a.m.                      NHC Member Reactor Panel
                                                      Join us for an engaging reactor panel that offers diverse perspectives and delves deeply into
                                                      the keynote session, “Leading Through Polarization.”

10:50 – 11:00 a.m.                        Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.               Prevention and Management: Patients Living with Chronic Diseases
                                                      The Advancing Advocacy for Chronic Disease Prevention Management, an NHC Trusted
                                                      Messenger campaign, amplifies the often-untold stories to empower the patient community
                                                      in the decision-making process aimed at addressing unmet needs, access, affordability, and
                                                      treatment barriers across health care.

                                                     Moderator:
                                                 • Omar A. Escontrías, DrPH, MPH, SVP, Equity, Research and Programs, National Health
                                                        Council

                                                     Panelists:
                                                 • Tara Chico-Jarillo, DrPH, MPH, Interim Executive Director, Health Services Division, Pascua
                                                       Yaqui Tribe Health Services Division
                                                 • Patricia Nece, JD, Member and Past Chair, National Board of Directors, Obesity Action
                                                        Coalition
                                                 • Caleb Snead, MPH, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Georgia Institute of
                                                        Gerontology

12:00 – 1:15 p.m.                         Hosted Lunch
                                                     The hosted lunch includes an opportunity to participate in discussion roundtables where
                                                     attendees can discuss top-of-mind topics, share insights, exchange ideas, and engage in
                                                     meaningful dialogue with fellow attendees.

1:15 – 2:00 p.m.                          What Lies Ahead: The Regulatory Environment in 2025
                                                     This year, significant changes in Washington, DC are likely to reshape the federal health
                                                     infrastructure and landscape, shifting how healthcare is delivered and regulated across the
                                                     country. With new leadership taking charge of key federal regulatory bodies, the patient-
                                                     focused community can expect to encounter an evolving environment marked by both
                                                     challenges and opportunities. This session will delve into the critical role government
                                                     institutions play in influencing access to treatment for patients—both as facilitators and
                                                     potential barriers. Our expert panel will offer analysis and discussion on the anticipated
                                                     regulatory shifts, highlighting the opportunities these changes may present, as well as the
                                                     hurdles that stakeholders must navigate. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the future
                                                     of healthcare policy and its direct impact on patient care, paving the way for informed
                                                     decision-making in a rapidly changing landscape.

2:00 – 2:15 p.m.                         Break

2:15 – 3:00 p.m.                          A Vision for the Future of Health Care
                                                     The Heartland Whole Health Institute seeks to transform healthcare through a holistic, whole-
                                                     person approach. Focused on the integration of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual
                                                     well-being, the Institute is redefining how healthcare is delivered, fostering a new paradigm
                                                     where individuals are seen and treated as whole people rather than isolated conditions. The
                                                     Institute’s innovative model brings together a comprehensive approach to health that not
                                                     only addresses symptoms but also nurtures the underlying factors that contribute to overall
                                                     wellness. The Heartland Whole Health Institute is committed to expanding this approach on a
                                                     national scale, with a vision to revolutionize healthcare systems across the United States.

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.                         Break

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.                        The Power of Patient Engagement in Innovation
                                                    Join us for a session on the critical importance of early patient engagement in drug
                                                    development. From an investor’s perspective, we’ll explore the benefits of early patient
                                                    involvement in clinical design and trials, emphasizing the importance of the patient voice.
                                                    Hear from a patient advocate and rare disease leader transforming biotech industry practices
                                                    and learn about innovative work in patient engagement related to drug candidates and
                                                    identifying optimal therapeutic areas and clinical trials.

                                                   Speaker:
                                                • Gunnar EsiasonSenior Director, Head of Patient Engagement and Patient-Centered
                                                     Innovation
Blackbird, Raven (RA Ventures)

4:00 – 4:55 p.m.                      Attendees Show & Tell 
                                                   Sign up in advance to have 5 minutes to enlighten your colleagues with success stories, “ah ha”
                                                   moments, emerging best practices, pitfalls, partner opportunities, and other news to inform
                                                   and inspire.

4:45 – 5:15 p.m.                       Hot Topics Discussion

5:15 – 6:15 p.m.                         Partner Networking Reception     
                                                   Enjoy live music by guitarist Greg Diamond, light bites, and refreshments, while connecting
                                                   with fellow attendees.

6:15 p.m.                                  Attendees are free for the evening. Dinner on your own

Thursday, February 6

7:30 – 11:00 a.m.                      Registration Open

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.                       Conference Breakfast
                                                    Breakfast includes an opportunity to participate in discussion roundtables where attendees
                                                    can discuss top-of-mind topics, share insights, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful
                                                    dialogue with fellow attendees.

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.                        Opening Remarks & Conference Reflections 
                                                    Kick off the last day of our conference with a session designed to energize and inspire. Join us
                                                    to gain a fresh perspective, connect with fellow participants, and prepare for the exciting
                                                    sessions ahead.

                                                    Remarks by:
                                                • Susan Gaffney, EVP, Membership, Development & Events, National Health Council 

                                                    Conference Reflections:
                                                • Ashley JohnDirector, Issue Advocacy, Novartis             

9:15 – 10:00 a.m.                        Lessons from Chief Influencers: The ROI of LinkedIn
                                                     For each of the last two years, the Health Leadership Conference has shown NHC’s members
                                                     how to go from “From Chief Executive to Chief Influencer.” We learned that “faces are the new
                                                     logos” and how our personal brands can support our professional aims. This year, three of our
                                                     own chief executives will discuss their own journeys of becoming “Chief Influencers.” These
                                                     leaders will share how leading on LinkedIn has generated ROI for their organizations:
                                                     engaging with employees to build company culture, reaching new funders to expand
                                                     partnerships, and advancing policy goals through advocacy work. Whatever your skill level,
                                                     this panel will provide real-life examples from the world of patient advocacy that you and your
                                                     team can apply immediately.

                                                     Moderator:
                                                  • Anthony ShopChief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder, Social Driver

                                                     Panelists:
                                                  • Charles “Chuck” HendersonChief Executive Officer, American Diabetes Association
                                                  • Steven TaylorPresident & CEO, Arthritis Foundation
                                                  • Kathryn SchubertPresident & CEO, Society for Women’s Health Research

10:00 – 10:10  a.m.                      Break

10:10 – 10:55 a.m.                      Crisis Communications Panel
                                                       Join us for an insightful panel discussion where leaders from NHC member organizations will
                                                       share their compelling stories of crisis communication successes. Each panelist will recount
                                                       a significant crisis their organization faced and the strategies they employed to navigate
                                                       through it. Attendees will gain valuable insights from these real-world experiences, learning
                                                       about the challenges encountered, and the strategies developed. This session will provide a
                                                       unique opportunity to understand the best practices that have emerged from these
                                                       circumstances, offering practical lessons that can be applied to your own organization.

                                                     Moderator:
                                                • Ann Searight Christiano, Founder & Director, Center for Public Interest
                                                      Communications; Clinical ProfessorDepartment of Public Relations, University of Florida
                                                      College of Journalism and Communications

                                                     Panelists:
                                                • Barbara Collura, President & CEO, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
                                                • Nicole Friedland, President & CEO, National Alopecia Areata Foundation
                                                • Amy Sonderman, Senior Director, Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement, US
                                                      Pharmacopeia

10:55 – 11:05 a.m.                      Break

11:05 – 11:50 a.m.                      The Future of Care: Where Medicine, Humanity, and Innovation Meet

                                                    Interviewed by:
                                                 • Randy Rutta, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Council

                                                 Guest Speaker:
                                                  • Dr. Geeta Nayyar, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, RadiantGraph

11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.             Closing Remarks
                                                     As our conference draws to a close, join us for the final session where our CEO will deliver
                                                     the closing remarks. This session will provide a comprehensive summary of the key insights
                                                     and takeaways from the conference.
                                                 
                                                  • Randy Rutta
, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Council

12:00 p.m.                                   Grab & Go Lunch Provided for Conference Attendees