Speaker List

Jim Collins

Author & Educator

What to Make of a Life

Jim Collins is a student and teacher of exceptional human endeavor and a Socratic advisor to leaders across all sectors of society. Having invested more than three decades in rigorous research, he has authored or coauthored a series of books that have sold in total more than 11 million copies worldwide, including the #1 bestseller Good to Great, the enduring classic Built to Last, and other highly-influential writings such as Great by Choice, How the Mighty Fall, Beyond Entrepreneurship, Good to Great and the Social Sectors, and Turning the Flywheel.

In recent years, Jim has broadened the scope of his work, extending out from the question of what makes great companies tick to the study of remarkable people and their lives. His newest book (available April 2026) tackles the big question implicit in its title: What to Make of a Life. Grounded in a ten-year research project, it offers transformative lessons on constructing—and reconstructing—a life through the cliff moments and transitions we all will face repeatedly in our lives.

Through his research, Jim seeks to uncover timeless principles on which people can reliably depend. Concepts that emerged from Jim’s earlier work have become part of the leadership lexicon, such as: Level 5 leadership, First Who (the right people on the bus), the Hedgehog Concept, the Flywheel, 20 Mile March, Preserve the Core/Stimulate Progress, and BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). His writings and teachings have had a lasting impact and proved integral to the building of many great organizations.

Driven by a relentless curiosity, Jim began his research and teaching career on the faculty at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992. In 1995, he founded a management laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he conducts research and engages with CEOs and senior-leadership teams.

Jim has a passion for learning and teaching in the social sectors, including education, healthcare, government, faith-based organizations, social ventures, and cause-driven nonprofits. In 2012 and 2013, he had the honor to serve a two-year appointment as the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematical sciences and an MBA from Stanford University, and honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Colorado and the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. In 2017, Forbes selected Jim as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.
David Wasserman

Senior Editor & Election Analyst, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter

Road Map to the 2026 & 2028 Elections

David Wasserman is the Senior Editor & Election Analyst for the nonpartisan newsletter, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, and a contributor to NBC News. Founded in 1984, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter provides analyses of U.S. presidential, Senate, House, and gubernatorial races. The New York Times called The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter “a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative.”

In an era of polling uncertainty, Wasserman is the rare analyst who has accurately forecast the last three presidential elections. In 2016, Wasserman drew wide praise for his accurate pre-election analysis, including his uncanny September piece entitled, “How Trump Could Win the White House While Losing the Popular Vote.” In 2020, Wasserman's forecast of Biden's win was correct in 49 of 50 states, missing only North Carolina. And in 2024, Wasserman correctly assessed that erosion in Democratic support among young and nonwhite voters made Trump the slight favorite to retake the White House.

Wasserman has served as an analyst for the NBC News Election Night Decision Desk since 2008 and has also appeared on Fox News, CNN, and NPR. His commentary has been cited in numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, POLITICO, and the Washington Post . In 2018, his groundbreaking interactive collaboration with FiveThirtyEight, the "Atlas of Redistricting," took top prize for News Data App of the Year.

An enthusiast for data and maps, Wasserman serves as a contributing writer to the Almanac of American Politics. A frequent speaker and guest lecturer, he has shared insights into the latest political trends with audiences at Harvard's Institute of Politics, the Dole Institute of Politics, and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics – where he was named a resident Pritzker Fellow in 2019. In 2024, David was named an Andrew Carnegie Fellow by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Prior to joining The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter in 2007, Wasserman served for three years as House editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a widely respected political analysis newsletter and website founded by renowned University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato. A native of New Jersey, Wasserman is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he was awarded the 2006 Emmerich-Wright Outstanding Thesis prize.
Mary Dillon

Former CEO, Foot Locker & Ulta Beauty

Mary N. Dillon has been an influential figure in the world of business, with a career spanning decades at some of the most recognized companies in the United States. She served as the President and CEO of Foot Locker from 2022 until 2025, and was the President and CEO of Ulta from 2013 until 2021, when she transitioned into the role of Chair.

During her tenure at Ulta, Dillon announced plans for the company to expand its business internationally, beginning with store openings in Canada. Prior to Ulta, Dillon held the position of Chief Executive Officer and President of United States Cellular Corporation from 2010 to 2013.

Her expansive career also includes a role as Global Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of McDonald's Corp. from 2005 to 2010, overseeing the company's worldwide marketing efforts and global brand strategy across 118 countries.

Dillon’s leadership style is renowned within the retail industry because of her ability to create work cultures where leaders’ and front-line associates’ ideas are valued, solicited and respected, resulting in optimal enterprise solutions. Dillon serves on the Board of Directors at KKR & Co. Inc., a global investment company, and previously served on the Board of Directors at Starbucks Corporation. A native of Chicago, Dillon is actively involved in community engagement and philanthropy, previously serving as Chair of the Economic Club of Chicago.
Robin Roberts

Co-Anchor, “Good Morning America” & President, Rock'n Robin Productions

Robin Roberts is co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Under her leadership, the broadcast has won numerous Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program, and the 2017 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team.

In 2014, Roberts launched Rock'n Robin Productions, an independent production company creating original broadcast and digital programming. Current series include the award-winning “Thriver Thursday” digital series, the “Robin Roberts Presents” banner of scripted and documentary projects for the Lifetime Television Network, and “Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts” for Disney+.

Roberts began contributing to “Good Morning America”in 1995 and was named co-anchor in May 2005. Prior to that, Roberts was a host of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and contributed to “NFL PrimeTime.”

Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2007, and five years later, she was diagnosed with MDS. Roberts underwent a bone marrow transplant, her sister Sally-Ann was a perfect match. Her story triggered an outpouring of support from across the nation. She joined forces with Be the Match to inform the public about the need for more donors, and since her diagnosis, the bone marrow registry has seen a tremendous increase.

Her battle has been recognized with awards and honors from organizations around the country, including The Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program. Roberts was also honored with a George Foster Peabody Award and Gracie Award. Additionally, Roberts was recognized with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s in July 2013 for the strength and courage she has displayed throughout her life and career.

Roberts is a member of the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees.

Roberts graduated cum laude from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She was a standout performer on the women’s basketball team, ending her career as one of the school’s all-time leading scorers and rebounder. In 2012, Roberts was named an inductee to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Roberts is the author of From the Heart: 7 Rules to Live By and Everybody’s Got Something. Her third book Brighter By The Day: Waking Up to New Hopes and Dreams debuted in 2022.

Roberts is a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and currently resides in New York City.
Suzie Desai

Senior Director, S&P Global Ratings

Therese L. Wareham Ratings Agency Panel

In this always-popular session, the heads of not-for-profit hospital ratings at Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings will discuss their agencies’ outlooks for the sector and trends affecting hospitals and health systems, including financial performance, growth opportunities, cybersecurity risks, capital spending and legislative and regulatory change.
Kevin Holloran

Senior Director, Fitch Ratings

Therese L. Wareham Ratings Agency Panel

In this always-popular session, the heads of not-for-profit hospital ratings at Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings will discuss their agencies’ outlooks for the sector and trends affecting hospitals and health systems, including financial performance, growth opportunities, cybersecurity risks, capital spending and legislative and regulatory change.
Daniel Steingart

Associate Managing Director, Moody’s Ratings

Therese L. Wareham Ratings Agency Panel

In this always-popular session, the heads of not-for-profit hospital ratings at Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings will discuss their agencies’ outlooks for the sector and trends affecting hospitals and health systems, including financial performance, growth opportunities, cybersecurity risks, capital spending and legislative and regulatory change.
Mark Hayes

Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Kaiser Permanente

Healthcare Policy Panel

Mark Hayes is the senior vice president of government relations at Kaiser Permanente. In this role, he leads Kaiser Permanente's work with policymakers and trade associations nationwide, shaping advocacy and legislative strategy that supports the organization's mission and distinct brand of value-based care.

Hayes brings more than 3 decades of experience in health law, policy and advocacy across federal and private-sector roles. Before joining Kaiser Permanente in 2025, he served as senior vice president for policy and advocacy at Ascension, where he led federal and state policy strategy.

Earlier in his career, he worked on the staff of 4 U.S. senators and spent 8 years as health policy director and chief health council for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. In that role, Hayes was a principal architect of the Medicare Advantage program and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, and played a key role in developing and advancing major health legislation including the Medicare Modernization Act and the Affordable Care Act.

Hayes holds a Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He serves on the board of directors for the Trauma Care Association of America, the executive committee for the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing, and as board president for Telehealth Access for America.
Tiffany Joekel

Vice President of Government Affairs, Nebraska Medicine

Healthcare Policy Panel

Tiffany Joekel serves as the vice president of government affairs for Nebraska Medicine. In this role, she supports the mission and strategic goals of the organization through engagement, education and advocacy at local, state and federal levels of government.

Tiffany has over 15 years of experience in local, state and federal legislative and regulatory affairs in both the public and nonprofit sectors. She has undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Justice and Peace Studies and a master’s degree in International Relations from Creighton University.
Kent Springfield

Director for Health and Clinical Affairs, Office of Federal Relations, University of California

Healthcare Policy Panel

As Director of Health and Clinical Affairs for University of California’s Office of Federal Relations, Kent handles day-to-day federal advocacy for University of California Health, supporting the six academic health centers and 21 health professional schools of the UC system. Collectively, UC Health provides more than 10.8 million outpatient visits, and 1.3 million inpatient days of care each year in addition to training 16,000 health professional students and residents. UC Health is the second largest provider of Medicaid inpatient care in California with only 7% of the state’s hospital beds.

Kent advises the UC leadership on federal legislative and regulatory issues related to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, the 340B drug discount program, the National Institutes of Health and other issues related to clinical care, health research and the healthcare workforce. He works with campus-based government relations leaders to advocate with Congress and the executive branch.

Prior to joining UC, Kent was the associate vice president for federal policy at the University of Colorado for seven years, leading federal policy and advocacy for the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus—including six health professional schools, the university’s affiliated health system and physician practice. Before that, he was the director of governmental relations for George Washington University. Kent received both his bachelor of arts in political communications and his master of business administration from George Washington University.
Shoshana Krilow

Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations, Vizient

Moderator: Healthcare Policy Panel

Shoshana Krilow, senior vice president of public policy and government relations, leads Vizient’s Public Policy and Government Relations office, monitoring and advocating on federal legislative and regulatory developments of importance to Vizient and its members.

Prior to joining Vizient, Krilow served as director of health and clinical affairs for the University of California, focusing on issues related to health policy and biomedical research for the UC Health system. Krilow has also worked as a strategic advisor to health sector clients with a particular concentration on Medicare, the pharmaceutical and insurance industries and the Affordable Care Act.

Krilow brings deep legislative expertise to Vizient, having spent several years on Capitol Hill, where she worked as a health policy advisor for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Prior to her work on Capitol Hill, Krilow worked as an analyst, investment advisor and regional, internal wholesaler for Goldman, Sachs and Co., Smith Barney and J.P. Morgan respectively.

Krilow received her law degree from The Ohio State University in 2007 and became a member of the Ohio State Bar later that year. She is also a graduate of the University of Michigan where she received her bachelor of arts degrees in English and psychology.

Shoshana serves on multiple boards including The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, the Winston Health Policy Fellowship and the Healthcare Supply Chain Association. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children in northern Virginia.
Myra Davis

Executive Vice President/Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Texas Children's Hospital

Leading Healthcare Forward Reception Panelist

Myra Davis is Executive Vice President and Chief Information Innovation Officer at Texas Children’s Hospital. In this role, Ms. Davis leads enterprise technology strategy, digital transformation, innovation, and information services for one of the nation’s leading pediatric healthcare organizations.

With more than two decades of CIO-level healthcare leadership, Ms. Davis is recognized for advancing secure, scalable technology solutions, cultivating high-performing teams, and positioning technology as a catalyst for innovation, operational excellence, and improved care delivery. Her leadership and contributions have been honored by leading healthcare and technology organizations, including HoustonCIO, HIMSS, Health Catalyst, CHIME, and Becker’s.
Tia White

General Manager, Agentic Search and Retrieval; AI & Tech Transformation Executive, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Leading Healthcare Forward Reception Panelist

Tia White is a true disruptor with the ability to think big. She has pioneered multiple major transformations including Public Cloud Migrations and Data Transformations well before they were a focus of most organizations. She has held executive roles at multiple Fortune 100 companies, getting her start at Wells Fargo, followed by roles at Capital One and JPMorgan Chase & Company before her current role as the General Manager of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - Adtech and MarTech at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Tia has built and led global teams and prides herself on being a people-first leader with the ability to deliver paramount results.

In her current role, she is responsible for owning go-to-market, product, and engineering for a portfolio of services on track to exceed profits of more than $25M including one of the fastest-growing services at AWS. Getting her start as an engineer, she quickly grew and expanded her scope to become a Director of Engineering at a Fortune 100 company before the age of 30. Throughout her career, she has helped companies harness the power of disruptive and emerging technologies to grow and improve the customer experience as well as lead massive transformations.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity has been a passion of Tia’s since she entered corporate America. It’s not a hobby, but a mission she lives day in and out – creating a STEM world where women, Black and Brown people are no longer a minority. To that end, she has held various leadership positions over the past 10 years, championing and executing corporate and CEO-led councils, programs, and strategies. With a focus on recruiting, retaining, and developing underrepresented talent across the technology field she has created mentoring programs for college-aged women of color, worked directly with Women Who Code on creating unique Summer Immersion Programs, and has helped companies more than double their Black tech and engineering population and massively grow their women population.

She is very involved in her community and passionate about educating the next generation in tech, with a focus on minority women. She serves on numerous non-profit boards including Rewriting the Code, which supports early-career women from 800+ colleges and universities and 81 countries with a passion for technology.
Amanda Steele

Managing Director, Practice Co-Leader, Strategy and Business Transformation, Kaufman Hall

Moderator: Leading Healthcare Forward Reception Panel

As managing director of the consulting and advisory firm Kaufman Hall, a Vizient company, Amanda Steele leads approximately 100 specialists nationwide within the firm’s Strategy & Business Transformation practice. The team partners with healthcare systems, provider organizations, health plans and new market entrants to advance enterprise strategy and planning, payer and payment strategy, physician enterprise strategy and operations, and large-scale business transformation initiatives, spanning design, development and value creation.

Amanda advises boards and executive leadership teams on enterprise strategy, translating aspirations into plans for growth, scale, and sustainable mission fulfillment. She leads engagements activating strategic plans, partnering with organizations to build change readiness as a competency and create operating models to achieve strategic goals. Through disciplined strategic analysis, stakeholder alignment and structured planning, she enables organizations to translate vision into action.

A trusted advisor to senior leaders and national thought leader, Amanda is known for guiding complex transformation efforts that balance mission deployment and financial sustainability. She is regularly published on multiple topics including the future of strategic planning, the evolution of health system leadership, the advancement of health system and hospital boards, and sought for industry presentations, board retreats and executive strategy sessions to offer perspective on health system transformation. Amanda works closely with leadership teams to align culture, structures and strategies to drive impactful change. She is known to challenge organizations to be bold and make deliberate, mission-driven, strategic choices.

Prior to joining Kaufman Hall, Amanda was vice president at Optum Advisory Services, where she partnered with health systems on enterprise-wide transformation and change management initiatives. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles at The Advisory Board Company, driving growth strategies and performance improvement solutions for provider organizations.

Amanda holds a bachelor degree from the University of Chicago.
Amanda Steele

Managing Director, Practice Co-Leader, Strategy and Business Transformation, Kaufman Hall

Moderator: Leading Healthcare Forward Reception Panel

As managing director of the consulting and advisory firm Kaufman Hall, a Vizient company, Amanda Steele leads approximately 100 specialists nationwide within the firm’s Strategy & Business Transformation practice. The team partners with healthcare systems, provider organizations, health plans and new market entrants to advance enterprise strategy and planning, payer and payment strategy, physician enterprise strategy and operations, and large-scale business transformation initiatives, spanning design, development and value creation.

Amanda advises boards and executive leadership teams on enterprise strategy, translating aspirations into plans for growth, scale, and sustainable mission fulfillment. She leads engagements activating strategic plans, partnering with organizations to build change readiness as a competency and create operating models to achieve strategic goals. Through disciplined strategic analysis, stakeholder alignment and structured planning, she enables organizations to translate vision into action.

A trusted advisor to senior leaders and national thought leader, Amanda is known for guiding complex transformation efforts that balance mission deployment and financial sustainability. She is regularly published on multiple topics including the future of strategic planning, the evolution of health system leadership, the advancement of health system and hospital boards, and sought for industry presentations, board retreats and executive strategy sessions to offer perspective on health system transformation. Amanda works closely with leadership teams to align culture, structures and strategies to drive impactful change. She is known to challenge organizations to be bold and make deliberate, mission-driven, strategic choices.

Prior to joining Kaufman Hall, Amanda was vice president at Optum Advisory Services, where she partnered with health systems on enterprise-wide transformation and change management initiatives. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles at The Advisory Board Company, driving growth strategies and performance improvement solutions for provider organizations.

Amanda holds a bachelor degree from the University of Chicago.
Jaclyn Markowitz

Investment Analyst, Vice President, Capital Groupl

Panelist: Investor Panel Breakfast Session

Jaclyn Markowitz is a fixed income investment analyst at Capital Group with research responsibility for tax-exempt airports and healthcare. She has eleven years of investment industry experience and has been with Capital Group for six years. Prior to joining Capital, Jaclyn worked as a foreign exchange derivatives associate at Citigroup. Before that, she was an interest rate analyst at Citigroup. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in international economics, graduating magna cum laude, from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Jaclyn is based in Los Angeles.
David Pina

Credit Analyst and Manager, Vanguard

Panelist: Investor Panel Breakfast Session

David Pina serves as a Credit Analyst and Manager on Vanguard's Municipal Credit Research team within the Fixed Income Group. He leads a team of associates and oversees credit coverage across the healthcare sector, as well as Texas state and local governments. He is also an active member of Vanguard's Municipal Investment Committee. David brings deep expertise and leadership to his role, with 15 years of investment industry experience. He is a CFA® Charterholder and holds a B.B.A. in Finance from New Mexico State University.

Jim Collins

David Wasserman

Mary Dillon

Robin Roberts

Suzie Desai

Kevin Holloran

Daniel Steingart

Mark Hayes

Tiffany Joekel

Kent Springfield

Shoshana Krilow

Myra Davis

Tia White

Amanda Steele

Amanda Steele

Jaclyn Markowitz

David Pina