2026 Health Leadership Conference
Leadership. Purpose. Impact.

February 10 – 12, 2026
Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL

DRAFT AGENDA

Please note: The session schedule and times are
tentative and may be subject to change.

Tuesday, February 10

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                    
NHC’s Community Connect: The Pantry of Broward
Join us for a meaningful volunteer experience at The Pantry of Broward, supporting seniors living on limited incomes and grandparents raising grandchildren. Your time will make a real impact. (Pre-registration required for this pre-conference activity.)

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

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.                               
Lead on LinkedIn: A Bootcamp for Health Leaders
Don’t miss this new, highly interactive pre-conference workshop designed for health leaders who want to strengthen their presence on LinkedIn. This small-group session provides space for real-time feedback and personalized guidance. Participants will learn how to optimize their profiles, use their CEO voice to support organizational goals, publish content that shapes conversations on health and policy, and increase visibility with the stakeholders who matter most.(Pre-registration required for this pre-conference activity; Seating is limited.)   

Facilitator:
 • Anthony Shop, Co-Founder, Social Driver

2:00 – 2:45 p.m.                             
Board Leaders Convening & Refresher
Join us for an exclusive networking opportunity designed for Board Leaders of NHC member organizations. This event provides a space to connect, share insights, and strengthen relationships within the NHC community. Whether you’re seeking collaboration opportunities or simply looking to connect with peers in similar board roles, this convening offers the ideal setting to build relationships and expand your network.

3:00 – 5:30 p.m.                               
Future-Focused Leadership, a Pre-Conference Workshop
Designed for CEOs/Executive Directors, board members, and senior executives, this pre-conference session guides participants through a facilitated strategic thinking discovery process. The session will help leaders prepare for their organization’s future by focusing on strengths and opportunities to inspire bold, actionable strategies.

Facilitator:
 • Steve Swafford, EdD, IOM, Co-Founder, Leadership Outfitters

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.                             
Welcome Reception: An Evening of Networking
Join fellow attendees for a relaxed evening featuring live music by Heatwave Music, a variety of food stations, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a fully hosted open bar. Whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or forging new relationships, this gathering promises vibrant conversation, great company, and delicious bites in a festive atmosphere.

Wednesday, February 11

6:30 – 7:15 a.m.                               
Health & Wellness Activity: Yoga
(Pre-registration required)
Begin your day with a beginner-friendly yoga session focused on mindfulness and movement. Enjoy guided stretches, breathing techniques, and simple poses in a supportive environment—perfect for all experience levels.

Instructor:
 • Michelle Cash, Instructor, Divine Wave Sound

7:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.                     
Registration Open

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.                             
CEO Affinity Group Networking Breakfast
Join your peers for our annual in-person CEO Affinity Group meeting. Attendees included in this breakfast will be notified at registration.

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

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.                             
Conference Breakfast

9:00 – 9:10 a.m.                             
Opening Remarks & 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. 
         
Remarks by:
 • Randy Rutta, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Council
 • Michael Osso, NHC Board Chair President & CEO, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

9:10 – 9:55 a.m.                             
Opening Keynote: Built in the Fire: Reimagining the Future of Health Together
The future of health and health care will not be shaped from a distance or built in moments of comfort it will be forged in disruption, uncertainty, and lived experience, forcing leaders to choose courage over control. In this opening keynote, Dr. Jean Accius reflects on how leaders can drive lasting process: through proximity, humility, and trust. He will explore why patient organizations are central to translating lived experience into solutions with national impact—and why collaboration, shared responsibility, and community-centered leadership are essential to shaping what comes next. This keynote sets the tone for a conference focused on leadership, purpose, and collective impact.

Keynote Speaker:
 • Dr. Jean Accius, President & CEO, CHC: Creating Healthier Communities

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

10:05 – 10:50 a.m.                        
NHC Member Reactor Panel
Join us for a dynamic discussion where NHC members share diverse perspectives and provide thoughtful reactions to the keynote session. This interactive panel will explore how working closely with community strengthens trust and supports meaningful change for patients.

Panelists:
 • Rich Buckley, SVP, Corporate Affairs, McKesson
 • Sally Werner, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Support Community
 • Steven Taylor, President & CEO, Arthritis Foundation

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

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.               
Understanding Leadership at the Top: The CEO–Board Connection
 As organizations face rapid change, the partnership between CEOs and their boards has never been more critical. This session brings together governance and executive-leadership experts to discuss what’s working, where tensions arise, and how CEOs can foster a board relationship that is collaborative, strategic, and focused on results. The panel will also explore the new expectations facing CEOs, major trends reshaping nonprofit leadership, and actionable ideas for strengthening alignment and trust at the highest levels. 

Panelists:
 • Abby Gorman, Principal, Heidrick & Struggles
 • Leah Howard, JD, President & CEO, The National Psoriasis Foundation
 • Vernetta Walker, President & CEO, Vernetta Walker & Associates

12:00 – 1:15 p.m.                             
Networking Lunch

12:15 – 5:15 p.m.   
Professional Headshots (Space is limited; Pre-registration required)
Elevate your professional image at the 2026 Health Leadership Conference! Complimentary professional headshots will be available to registered attendees. This is the perfect opportunity to refresh your LinkedIn profile, company directory photo, or virtual meeting image with a high-quality portrait taken by a professional photographer.

1:15 – 2:00 p.m.                         
Putting Patients First: OBBBA Implementation and the Health Care Safety Net
Growing strain on the health care safety net is felt first by patients. In this leadership session, CEOs and senior executives will get an inside look at the National Health Council’s OBBBA Navigation Project and its role in tackling these challenges head-on. Explore strategies for responding to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and practical solutions to protect access to coverage and care. Learn how collaboration among patient organizations, state Medicaid agencies, insurers, and other key partners can turn systemic pressure into coordinated action that safeguards patients and strengthens the safety net.

Moderator:
• Kelly Brantley, Independent Consultant

Panelists:
 • Tracy Garner, Chief Operating Officer, Easterseals
 • Other Panelists to Be Announced

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

2:15 – 3:00 p.m.     
Future-Proof Your Mission: Creative Approaches to Funding Growth and Diversification
Financial stability is essential to organizational resilience and achieving it requires new thinking about funding growth and diversification. Join patient advocacy leaders as they share hard-won experience and practical strategies for strengthening financial sustainability. Hear real-world success stories, lessons learned, and creative approaches that can support your mission. This session will spark ideas, challenge assumptions, and equip participants with actionable insights to strengthen sustainability and impact.

Moderator:
• Susan Gaffney, Executive Vice President, National Health Council

Panelists:
 • Jessica Edwards, Chief Development Officer, NAMI
 • Richard Sperry, Chief Strategy Officer, GBS|CIDP
 • Michael Pearlmutter, Chief Executive Officer, EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases

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

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.                           
Breaking the Maze: The Future of Patient Navigation       
Navigating health care is overwhelming. Patients face hurdles at every turn when booking appointments, securing referrals, juggling providers, and managing insurance. These barriers delay care, worsen outcomes, and deepen inequities. Many are turning to AI for help, but current tools are far from ideal. In this session, attendees will hear about an exciting new initiative that puts patients at the center of defining how AI care navigation standards and evidence will shape the future of care.

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

Guest Speaker:
 • Jennifer Goldsack, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Medicine Society (DiMe)

4:00 – 4:05 p.m.               
Stretch Break

4:05 – 5:00 p.m.                         
Breakthrough Showcase (formerly Attendee Show & Tell)  
In the Breakthrough Showcase, CEOs and senior leaders share short, high-impact stories about a “breakthrough” that moved their organization forward. These can be pivotal moments, bold decisions, or innovations that improved patient experience, strengthened their community, or transformed how their teams work. Each speaker will have five minutes.

Hosted by: 
 • Tracy Hart, Chief Executive Officer, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation

5:15 – 6:15 P.M.                             
Sip & Social Reception
Join us for connection and conversation! Enjoy live music by guitarist Greg Diamond, light bites and refreshments, while networking with fellow attendees. This reception is proudly supported by our conference sponsors.

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

Thursday, February 12

7:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.               
Registration Open

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.                         
Conference Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.                          
Opening Remarks & First Day 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, Executive Vice President, National Health Council

Conference Reflections:
 • Tracy Rode, CNE, Chief Executive Officer, Patient Empowerment Network

9:15 – 10:00 a.m.                         
Bold Moves in Changing Times: How Leaders Are Reinventing the Work
Organizations across the NHC community are rethinking how they advance their missions—and what it takes to stay effective. In this interactive session, we’ll crowdsource insights from participants to surface bold strategies and fresh ideas. From rebranding and new partnerships to innovative programs and policy pivots, you’ll hear how leaders are testing new approaches and seizing opportunities. Walk away with practical examples and inspiration to inform your own work.

Moderator:
 • Calaneet Balas, President & CEO, The ALS Association 

Panelists:
 • Beth Battaglino, Chief Executive Officer, HealthyWomen

10:00 – 10:15 a.m.                       
Break

10:15 – 11:00 a.m.                       
Meeting Audiences Where They Are: Strategies for the Digital Age
Reaching and engaging audiences today requires more than traditional outreach. In this session, discover how organizations are leveraging new media, authentic storytelling, and influencer partnerships to connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Learn practical strategies to amplify your message, build trust, and engage communities where they live—online and off. Walk away with actionable ideas to elevate your advocacy and impact.

Panelists:
 • Joanne Pike, DrPH, President & CEO, Alzheimer’s Association
 • Jason Resendez, President & CEO, National Alliance for Caregiving

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.             
Closing Plenary – Fireside Chat
Dr. John Whyte joins the NHC for a candid conversation on redefining the provider–patient relationship and the role of physician leadership in shaping the future of care. Drawing on his leadership experience across business, government, and medicine, he will explore how physicians can help drive better outcomes for patients while strengthening support for clinicians. The conversation will offer an insider perspective on leading the American Medical Association and close the conference with a thoughtful look at how purpose and impact can guide health leadership moving forward.

Remarks by:  
• Dr. John Whyte, Chief Executive Officer, American Medical Association

12:00 – 12:15 p.m.                     
Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Join us for closing remarks from the NHC CEO, reflecting on key themes, insights, and takeaways from the conference. 

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