Speakers
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Abby.jpg)
ABBY KATABARO
Managing Director of Medicare Product
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Andrew.jpg)
ANDREW PARKER
Founder and CEO
![Speaker 2](img/speakers/Friedell.jpg)
ANDY FRIEDELL
COO
![Speaker 3](img/speakers/AndyAuerbach.jpg)
ANDY AUERBACH
Chief Commercial Officer
![Speaker 4](img/speakers/DEY.jpg)
ARCHIE DEY
Senior Director
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Dwyer.jpg)
Brian Dwyer
Vice President of Business Development
![Speaker 5](img/speakers/BAKER.jpg)
CHARLES BAKER
Vice President, Compliance Solutions
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Leo.jpg)
CHRISTINE LEO
Vice President, Medicare Advantage Products
![Speaker 7](img/speakers/Courtney.jpg)
COURTNEY MEYER
Senior Director, Development & Distribution
![Speaker 8](img/speakers/Fisher.jpg)
CRAIG W. FISHER
Director, Product Development & Growth Initiatives
![Speaker 9](img/speakers/cyndialexanderheadshot.jpg)
CYNDI ALEXANDER
Vice President, Healthcare Service Solutions
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Wethers.jpg)
DARREN E WETHERS
CEO
![Speaker 5](img/speakers/Eddie.jpg)
EDDIE MARIA
Head of Sales
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Chojnacki.jpg)
EVELYN CHOJNACKI, MPH
Director, Health Plan Product Strategy
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/JanineAngelheadshot2.jpg)
JANINE V. ANGEL
Senior Director, Medicare Strategic Business Operations & Compliance
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/JasonHellinge.jpg)
JASON HELLINGER
Senior Product Manager
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/jason.jpg)
JASON MONTRIE
SVP Healthcare and Products
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Callahan.jpg)
JENNIFER CALLAHAN
Chief Operating Officer
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Kerfoot.jpg)
JENN KERFOOT
Chief Strategy & Growth Officer
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/MACQUARRIE.jpg)
JENNIFER MACQUARRIE
Director, Supplemental Benefits
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/JenniferSimms.jpg)
JENNIFER SIMMS
Director, Government Products
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/JimKnebel.jpg)
JIM KNEBEL
Head of Growth
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/JohnGormanheadshot 2022.png)
JOHN GORMAN
Founder and Chairman
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Julie Crawford.jpg)
JULIE CRAWFORD
Senior Director, Enterprise Solutions
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/kaleb.jpg)
KALEB HOLT
Director of Medicare Products
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Mayhew.jpg)
KAITLIN MAYHEW
Senior Director, Product Development
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/McCown1.jpg)
KATE MCCOWN, CHC, LLIF
Vice President, Group Compliance
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/katie.jpg)
KATIE MARTIN
Vice President, Quality
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Delmore.jpg)
KELLY DELMORE
Co-Chair, Government Relations & Public Policy
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Kimberly.jpg)
KIMBERLY GONZALEZ
Population Health Specialist, Arizona Best Care Network, LLC
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Lisa.jpg)
LISA FRANKLIN, MS
Director of Product and Marketing Strategy and Individual Medicare P&L Leader | Strategic Growth and Government Programs
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/LoriRundheadshot.jpg)
LORI RUND
Vice President, Government Programs
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/ADELBERG.jpg)
MICHAEL ADELBERG
Executive Director
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Spicer.jpg)
MICHAEL SPICER, MBAH
Vice President, Product
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Chang.jpg)
MINA CHANG, PH.D.
Deputy Director, Chief Analytics & Compliance Division
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Pagels.jpg)
MONICA PAGELS
Manager, JV, Product Development
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/nikki.jpg)
NICOLE HUNGATE
Product & Quality Consultant
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Daoud.jpg)
OMAR DAOUD
Senior Director of Pharmacy
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Fletcher.jpg)
SHARON L. FLETCHER
President & CEO
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Hayashi.jpg)
SEIJI HAYASHI, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Interim Chief Medical Officer, Community Health Plan of DC, Lead Medical Director for Government Programs
![Speaker 6](img/speakers/Grim.jpg)
WINNIE GRIM
Supplemental Benefits Manager
Speaker Details
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Abby.jpg)
Abby Katabaro
Managing Director of Medicare Product
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Abby Katabaro is a seasoned product leader who oversees Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement product development and management as the Managing Director of Medicare Product at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. In her role, she provides strategic direction over product portfolio planning, benefit design, communications, and filing for the health plan, as well as leading vendor engagement and management of supplemental benefits. Prior to joining BCBSM in February 2024, Abby served as the National Director of Medicare Products at Kaiser Permanente where she was accountable for the development and implementation of competitive, growth-driving ancillary and supplemental benefits as well as Medicare product strategy across the company’s market landscape. She previously led Medicare product development for Centene and served in various roles at Wellcare Health Plans, where she developed Medicare products and materials, designed plan portfolios, and filed CMS bids. Abby previously held legal and corporate communications roles in the professional sports, education, and legal industries, of which she holds degrees in. Based out of Alpharetta, Georgia, you can find her volunteering for service dog and rescue organizations, playing tennis, traveling abroad, and going on local foodie adventures around Atlanta with her husband, two daughters and two retrievers.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Andrew.jpg)
Andrew Parker
Founder and CEO
Papa
Throughout his career, Andrew Parker has focused on health care innovation that brings care to the consumer. In late 2017, Andrew founded Papa, a curated platform of companionship and support for older adults and families. He started the company to support his own grandfather, his “papa,” and the company has since scaled to provide social support nationally through Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid, Special Needs Plans, and employer benefits. Prior to Papa, Andrew was part of the founding team of MDLIVE. Andrew resides in Miami, Florida with his wife, Romi, and dog, Chewie.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Friedell.jpg)
Andy Friedell
COO
The Helper Bees
As COO, Andy helps drive growth and provides strategic direction across The Helper Bees’ products and services, ensuring that the work of the team is properly aligned with the goals of payers, patients and caregivers. He brings over 20 years of healthcare experience to the job. Andy founded healthAlign to help payers better manage a diverse range of services into the home and that business was acquired by The Helper Bees in 2021. Prior to founding healthAlign, he oversaw payer relations, nationwide business development, and large-scale strategic engagements at Maxim, one of the nation’s largest homecare companies. His work driving the product development function there brought about a community-based care management offering that has been shown to reduce readmissions by over 65% while also driving a 35% reduction in in-patient spending. Andy came to Maxim from Medco Health Solutions where he worked on the development of the Medicare Part D drug benefit, the early launch of the internet pharmacy marketplace and the regulatory environment for mail service pharmacies. Andy began his career as an aide to former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/AndyAuerbach.jpg)
Andy Auerbach
Chief Commercial Officer
SafeRide
Andy has led SafeRide’s commercial strategy since 2018, growing the business from less than 1,000 rides per year to over 7M projected rides in 2024. Beginning as a technology platform for delivering on-demand transportation to care providers, SafeRide now serves many of the nation's leading Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans, including the largest share of DSNP membership of any NEMT provider. Before SafeRide, Andy has more than 10 years of revenue leadership experience in SaaS and enterprise technology across all verticals - most recently as a Regional Vice President of Sales for Oracle.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/DEY.jpg)
Archie Dey
Senior Director
SCAN Health Plan
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Dwyer.jpg)
Brian Dwyer
Vice President of Business Development
Belle
Brian has over 25 years of expertise working with health plans providing strategic
planning and
consulting services pertaining to clinical solutions, data analytics, client
services and provider
networks. Brian has led solution design efforts to optimize operations and
implemented software
solutions that assist health plans with improving health, member experience and
reducing costs.
He has sold consulting services to government sponsored health plans and led the
go-to-market
strategy and sales efforts for a leading consumer analytics healthcare company.
Based on his experience working in various healthcare roles, Brian has presented at
numerous
industry conferences and led webinars on topics including personalized, one-on-one
nurse
interaction, provider engagement, data analytics and technology-driven care
management tools.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/BAKER.jpg)
Charles Baker
Vice President, Compliance Solutions
ATTAC Consulting Group
Charles Baker is a distinguished leader in the healthcare
industry, known for his strategic expertise in health plan
compliance and operational excellence.
As the Director of Health Plan Performance and Medicare
Compliance Officer at Priority Health, Charles led the
transformation of the Medicare Advantage Compliance Program.
Overseeing a membership exceeding 260,000 beneficiaries, his
commitment to compliance and quality excellence resulted in
Priority Health’s attainment of a 5-star rating — the only
Medicare plan to achieve this distinction in Michigan for
2023. Charles’ expertise extends across diverse healthcare
environments. His role as the Practice Leader at Trinity
Health underscored his ability to translate healthcare
guidelines into practical strategies. In his tenure with
Allina Health, Charles played an instrumental role in
revenue enhancement through innovative program initiatives
and streamlined operational management.
He holds a Master of Healthcare Administration and a Master
of Social Work from the University of Minnesota, as well as
a Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern Michigan University.
He earned certification as a LEAN Practitioner from Johns
Hopkins Medical Center.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Charles is deeply
engaged in community initiatives. He serves on the city
council for the City of Rockford, Michigan, and contributed
his expertise as a former Adjunct Professor at the
University of Detroit Mercy in Population Health and
Epidemiology. He volunteers as a Health Equity Council
Member at the Kent County YMCA and has held past board
positions at Urban Roots Community Market and the Merriam
Park Block Nursing Association.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Leo.jpg)
Christine Leo
Vice President, Medicare Advantage Products
Cigna
Christine joined Cigna Medicare in 2015 and is responsible
for the oversight of Cigna's Medicare Advantage group and
individual products. She is responsible for innovation, new
product development, and the implementation and performance
of Cigna's Medicare Advantage plans.
Christine has been integral in advancing innovation within
the Medicare line of business throughout her career and is
an expert within the industry. Her experiences both as
caregiver, as well as dealing with her own health issues,
serve to drive her passion to improve healthcare.
She has more than 25 years of Medicare and Medicaid
experience. Christine previously worked at Aetna where she
was National Head of Product Strategy for Medicare Advantage
at Aetna. She also held leadership roles in national
contracting, network contracting, operations and dental.
Christine began her managed care career with HealthPASS, one
of the first managed Medicaid programs in Pennsylvania.
A graduate of the University of New Mexico with a degree in
Dental Hygiene, Christine also holds a Master’s in Business
Administration from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
Christine lives in Philadelphia with her husband and
daughter.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Courtney.jpg)
Courtney Meyer
Senior Director, Development & Distribution
Sanford Health Plan
Courtney Meyer is the Senior Director of Development &
Distribution at Sanford Health Plan where she oversees the
plan’s strategic growth including the product development
teams for individual, commercial, and Medicare lines of
business as well as the various teams that support the
distribution channels. Courtney is an innovative leader with
>14 years’ experience in the health insurance industry with
a background in broker sales.
With a proven track record in driving strategic growth and
improving operational efficiency, Courtney excels in
leveraging data-driven insights to inform product
development and market expansion strategies. Her leadership
has resulted in significant revenue growth, cost savings,
and enhanced member engagement across various projects. Most
recently her team led the successful launch of a Medicare
Advantage plan exceeding market entry goals. In the plan’s
second year in existence it received a 4.5 star rating.
Courtney has an MBA from Kaplan University and lives in
South Dakota with her family where they enjoy spending as
much time as possible outdoors, usually camping, archery
hunting, gardening, hiking, or attending baseball games.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Fisher.jpg)
Craig W. Fisher
Director, Product Development & Growth Initiatives
Jefferson Health Plans
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/cyndialexanderheadshot.jpg)
Cyndi Alexander
Director, Product Development & Growth Initiatives
Jefferson Health Plans
Cyndi joined NationsBenefits with more than 25 years healthcare expertise focusing on outcomes, quality, regulatory compliance management, product strategy and tech enabled clinical services delivery nationwide. Prior to joining NationsBenefits, Cyndi was a senior executive at AdhereHealth responsible for all design and clinical services including the high touch pharmacy AdhereRx. Cyndi’s previous experience included responsibility for health services, quality, Star’s Ratings, and accreditation for Winsor Health Plan. Cyndi was for years Ascension Health Systems executive for regulatory compliance and Joint Commission of the multi state multi system hospital not for profit organization. Cyndi holds a BSN and a Master’s in Healthcare from the University of Tennessee. Cyndi is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality. She currently sits on the advisory board of the NCQA SNP surveys. She also sits on the new measure board for Pharmacy Quality Alliance the public-private partnership with CMS since the implementation of Part D.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Wethers.jpg)
Darren E Wethers
CEO
Wethers Consulting LLC
Darren Wethers is a board-certified internal medicine
physician and certified physician executive.
He graduated from Morehouse College, Northwestern University
Medical School and completed internal medicine training at
Emory University School of Medicine before establishing
himself in internal medicine practice in the St. Louis,
Missouri area, becoming a “Top Doctor” honoree several years
running.
In 2011, Dr. Wethers began a career in administrative
medicine, servings as a medical director with Coventry
Health Care and Aetna, vice president of clinical operations
at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and now at Atrio Health
Plans, where he serves as chief medical officer.
Dr. Wethers is a member of the American Association for
Physician Leadership, Fellow of the American College of
Physicians, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi
fraternities; he is the past chairman for Gamma Mu
Educational Services (GMES) board of directors and is a
board member of Northwestern University Medical School
Alumni Association, for which he serves as co-chair of the
Inclusion and Allyship committee and president-elect.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Chojnacki.jpg)
Evelyn Chojnacki, MPH
Director, Health Plan Product Strategy
Sword Health
Evelyn Chojnacki brings an extensive health plan background
to Sword Health with over 19 years’ experience serving
clients and members. This includes client management, health
care program development, vendor assessment and
integrations, market deployment and strategy.
Evelyn joined Sword in early 2021 and remains focused on
advocating for the needs of health plan partners while
supporting the advancement of virtual care across the
industry. This means promoting solutions positioned to
deliver impactful clinical results and equitable member
access to convenient care - all while tackling escalating
healthcare costs.
Outside of work, Evelyn is an active outdoor and travel
enthusiast.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/MARIA.jpg)
Eddie Maria
Head of Sales
Birdsong Hearing Benefits
Eddie Maria is the Head of Sales for Birdsong Hearing. In his role, Eddie provides
leadership of Birdsong
Hearing Benefits, LLC Sales while partnering with clients to make their plans more
impactful, personal,
and meaningful for members. He is passionate about improving peoples’ lives by
bringing a whole health
focus to hearing benefits that also helps health plans bring additional value to
their members.
Eddie is a client-focused leader with extensive experience bringing solutions to
Commercial, Medicare
Advantage, and Managed Medicaid plans. He is passionate about the customer
experience, focuses on
nurturing relationships, and appreciates the importance of understanding the
customer’s needs.
Eddie has 27 years of experience building client partnerships and leading sales
teams in the healthcare
industry, including the pharmaceutical, women’s healthcare, and hearing benefits
sectors. He has a
Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from California State University –
Sacramento. Outside of
work, Eddie volunteers with Blessings in a Backpack – an organization that provides
children on a free-
lunch program with food every Friday during the school year so that they have food
for the weekend.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/jake.jpg)
Jake Mead
Vice President of Sales
NationsBenefits
Jake has over 20 years of experience building and delivering cutting edge solutions for health care clients. His experience with many facets of health care enables a 360-degree view of customer challenges and the understanding of how to solve complex problems. His previous experience includes working with in-home providers, care management teams, Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies, and Supplemental Benefits serving MLTSS, DSNP, CSNP, MA and other vulnerable populations and government programs. He is a lifelong Lakers fan and enjoys spending time at the beach and travelling with his family.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/JanineAngelheadshot2.jpg)
Janine V. Angel
Senior Director, Medicare Strategic Business Operations & Compliance
Centene
Upon joining Health Net in 2005, I focused on supporting the
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Enrollment,
Eligibility and Premium Billing Teams. My concentration was
on process improvement initiatives including increasing
operational consistency, efficiency, reducing enrollment
related errors, and decreased plan-controlled transaction
rejections to 0%. In 2010, I led the business and IT teams
to convert the day-to-day operation to a paperless
environment. I joined our Enterprise Process Change
Organization in late 2011 to managing four (4) states
regulatory changes for Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial
lines of business across. From 2018 to the end of 2022, I
provided operational oversight and strategic leadership for
our CA MMP product and managed the transition of its members
along with 42K Wellcare MA Plan duals in CA to the Exclusive
Aligned Enrollment (EAE) Dual Special Needs plan (D-SNP).
Beginning in 2023, I have the privilege of caring for every
Wellcare Medicare Advantage member in the state of CA where
over 40% are dual eligible. I take to heart our vision- to
transforming the health of the community, one person at a
time.
Prior to my health insurance career, I worked for beverage
distributors focusing on wine, beer and spirits in Los
Angeles and Las Vegas. Currently, I call West Hills, CA my
home along with my husband, two teenage boys, two ragdoll
cats and a crazy hyper puppy. In my community, I serve as an
executive on the Board of Directors of HAMAKOM, a local
synagogue. My addiction to Costco and Amazon drives my
husband insane and I strive to not kill the many fruit trees
and vegetables we grow so I may share with my neighbors and
those less fortunate.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/JasonHellinge.jpg)
Jason Hellinger
Senior Product Manager
Cigna
Jason Hellinger is a Senior Product Manager for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare
Advantage
Strategic Supplemental Solutions team with primary responsibility for managing our
dental solution. He currently has end-to-end ownership of the relationship with
Cigna
Dental, which includes product development, contracting, and escalated issue
resolution
as well as oversight of key functions needed to support the solution like network,
operations, marketing, and digital capabilities. Jason joined The Cigna Group in
2015
through the Managed Care Rotational program. Since, he has held roles in Operating
Effectiveness, FDR Operations, the Government Business PMO, and Product Strategy.
Outside of Cigna, Jason dedicates his time to support the work of the National LGBTQ
Task Force serving as co-chair of their largest fundraiser of the year, Winter Party
Festival.
Prior to joining Cigna, Jason led the digital and marketing teams for Quadra Media
(publisher of Inked Magazine) and developed integrated marketing solutions to
support
sales teams across the country for Time Warner Cable Media. Jason holds a Bachelors
in
Consumer Behavior & Communication from Tulane University and received an MBA from
Temple
University.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/jason.jpg)
Jason Montrie
SVP Healthcare and Products
NationsBenefits
Jason Montrie is an award-winning healthcare entrepreneur and senior executive. Jason has spent 20 plus years in healthcare as a founder and growth, strategy and operations leader for some of the most innovative companies in healthcare and technology. Jason was the co-founder and CEO of Land of Lincoln Health and most recently served as President of Pareto Intelligence and Convey Health Solutions. In his current role Jason leads the strategy, growth and operations for all supplemental benefits and healthcare outcomes at Nations Benefits. Using Nations Benefits proprietary technology, integrated supplemental benefits platform, sophisticated analytic capabilities, and next generation fintech solutions, Nations Benefits is uniquely positioned in the market to bring a higher level of value to every member interaction Nations has with its members and health plans.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Callahan.jpg)
Jennifer Callahan
Chief Operating Officer
ATRIO Health Plans
Jen Callahan is the Chief Operating Officer of ATRIO Health Plans. For the past
19 years, Jen has established herself as a trusted thought leader and helped
shape the managed care industry with her innovative ideas and expertise. Jen has
dedicated her career almost exclusively to managed care and is an industry
leading expert in all areas of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement
programs.
Prior to joining ATRIO, she co-founded a field management organization, Keen
Insurance Services, Inc. to create a provider-centric Medicare focused sales and
distribution organization from the ground up. Prior to that, she held the
position of Vice President, Medicare Product at Aetna, a CVS Health company
where she oversaw the product development and implementation Aetna’s entire
Medicare portfolio, contributing over $24 billion to Aetna’s revenue. Throughout
her career, Jen has also held various leadership positions at Healthfirst, Inc.
and Anthem, Inc. focused exclusively on Government sponsored business.
Jen received her Bachelor of Science degree from Fordham University and MBA from
North Carolina State University. Jen currently resides in Waxhaw, a suburb of
Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, their three kids and fur baby, Vivi.
Jen loves spending time with her family and friends and hosting them at their
home.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Kerfoot.jpg)
Jenn Kerfoot
Chief Strategy & Growth Officer
DUOS
Jenn brings their deep understanding of the complexities and nuances within the Medicare Advantage & Value Based Care landscape to their work at DUOS, where they lead business development, go-to-market strategy, and marketing. By leveraging data-driven insights and market intelligence, they spearhead the development of tailored products and services that cater to the unique needs of Medicare Advantage plans and deliver unparalleled value to clients and beneficiaries alike; previous leadership roles include FarmboxRx, Excelera Health and NationsBenefits. Beyond their role at DUOS, Jenn actively contributes to the industry's progress as a thought leader leveraging expertise and advocacy for innovative healthcare practices to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/MACQUARRIE.jpg)
Jennifer MacQuarrie
Director, Supplemental Benefits
Cigna Medicare Advantage
Jennifer (Jen) MacQuarrie is a Product Strategy Director leading Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage Strategic Supplemental Solutions team. The Strategic Supplemental Solutions team has primary responsibilities for strategic vendor relationships and functions as overall lead for Medicare Advantage supplemental benefit management. This includes strategy, performance management and operationalizing regulatory impacts. Jen joined The Cigna Group in 2021 to lead Affordability strategy for MA. She supported establishment of the overall Affordability process, including vetting mechanisms and overall strategic direction. Jen joined Cigna with more than 15 years of consulting and industry experience. She was with Deloitte Consulting for over 12 years where she managed and delivered over 50 MA and Part D engagements for highly matrixed national and regional health plan clients with a focus on program management and governance, market entry, performance improvement, operational assessments, and compliance engagements. Jen holds a BA from Allegheny College and an MS in Healthcare Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/JenniferSimms.jpg)
Jennifer Simms
Director, Government Products
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
Jason Hellinger is a Senior Product Manager for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare
Advantage Strategic Supplemental Solutions team with primary responsibility for
managing our dental solution. He currently has end-to-end ownership of the
relationship with Cigna Dental, which includes product development, contracting,
and escalated issue resolution as well as oversight of key functions needed to
support the solution like network, operations, marketing, and digital
capabilities. Jason joined The Cigna Group in 2015 through the Managed Care
Rotational program. Since, he has held roles in Operating Effectiveness, FDR
Operations, the Government Business PMO, and Product Strategy. Outside of Cigna,
Jason dedicates his time to support the work of the National LGBTQ Task Force
serving as co-chair of their largest fundraiser of the year, Winter Party
Festival.
Prior to joining Cigna, Jason led the digital and marketing teams for Quadra
Media (publisher of Inked Magazine) and developed integrated marketing solutions
to support sales teams across the country for Time Warner Cable Media. Jason
holds a Bachelors in Consumer Behavior & Communication from Tulane University
and received an MBA from Temple University.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Selby.jpg)
Jill Selby
Founder
JVS Consulting, LLC
Jill Selby has recently concluded her 12-year tenure as Senior Vice President
overseeing Product Development, Marketing, and Market Expansion at SCAN Health
Plan, a Medicare Advantage Plan catering to nearly 300,000 members. Throughout
her tenure, Jill played a pivotal role in driving the growth and evolution of
SCAN’s Medicare Advantage products, across California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas,
and New Mexico.
Her responsibilities encompassed spearheading market expansion initiatives,
identifying geographic growth opportunities, and leading the innovative
development and deployment of SCAN's industry leading product offerings.
Additionally, Jill served as the driving force behind SCAN’s marketing
strategies, overseeing traditional, digital, and social media advertising
efforts, as well as sales lead generation.
With an extensive background spanning over 35 years in the healthcare sector,
Jill now brings her wealth of expertise and experience to the table as a
self-employed consultant. In this capacity, she is dedicated to assisting
various industry partners in navigating and thriving within the dynamic
landscape of current day healthcare.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/JimKnebel.jpg)
Jim Knebel
Head of Growth
Kaizen Health
Jim is the Head of Growth at Kaizen Health, leading the client relationship
teams and ensuring strategic alignment across sales, marketing, and client
retention. As a founding member, he has been integral to the company's journey,
providing a unique perspective on its product market fit.
Kaizen Health addresses the social determinants of health (SDOH) by removing
transportation barriers, enabling access to healthcare, food, education, and
employment. Utilizing an adaptive technology platform and a nationwide network
of partners, Kaizen Health serves diverse populations in urban and rural areas.
Their innovative solutions impact millions across the US through partnerships
with major healthcare organizations, non-profits, municipalities, and public-
school districts.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/JohnGormanheadshot 2022.png)
John Gorman
Founder and Chairman
Nightingale Partners
John is the Founder and Chairman of Nightingale Partners, the first venture fund to invest in early- stage companies in the social determinants of health (SDOH) ecosystem, and which structures tailored interventions with health insurers, local government, and provider organizations. His work focuses on Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Accountable Care Act strategy, governance, and health equity. John serves on the Board of Directors of Henry Ford Health System’s Health Alliance Plan in his birthplace of Detroit; on the Board of Edenbridge Health, a groundbreaking company in the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE); and on the Board of RoundTrip, an innovative Non- Emergent Medical Transport company. He serves on the Advisory Board for NationsBenefits, the nation's leading supplemental benefits provider, and on the Medicaid Advisory Board for Icario Health, a leading member engagement and communications firm. John is the Founder and Former Chairman at Gorman Health Group (GHG). For 22 years he led the development of the industry's leading consulting practice and several entrepreneurial ventures in government health programs. John speak at two dozen industry conferences each year, and am regularly quoted in the trade press and national media. I serve on the editorial advisory boards of several industry publications. Prior to founding Gorman Health Group in 1996, I was appointed by President Clinton as the first Assistant to the Director of Health Care Financing Administration’s (HCFA, now CMS) Office of Managed Care, where I provided day-to-day management, and served as the external liaison for the Medicare and Medicaid managed care programs. During the 1993 debate on national health care reform, I was chief lobbyist on health care financing issues for the National Association of Community Health Centers, an organization of Federally-funded primary care clinics for the medically underserved. My career in Washington began as Press Secretary and Staff Director for U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), then-Chairman of the Government Operations Committee.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Julie Crawford.jpg)
Julie Crawford
Senior Director, Enterprise Solutions
Modivcare
Julie Crawford is a seasoned healthcare executive with over two decades of experience in driving strategic growth and operational excellence. As the Senior Director of Strategic Solutions at Modivcare, she leverages her expertise in Clinical/Quality initiatives and Operational logistics to forge successful partnerships with healthcare providers and payors. With a proven track record of delivering exceptional results, Julie has been recognized for her leadership, innovation, and commitment to patient & Member care. Prior to joining Modivcare, Julie led the Pharmacy Sales Specialists team covering the Western half of the US with B.Braun Medical, Inc. Julie is a Florida State graduate in Food & Nutrition Science and is a Registered Dietitian.
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/kaleb.jpg)
Kaleb Holt
Director of Medicare Products
SelectHealth
![Speaker 1](img/speakers/Mayhew.jpg)
Kaitlin Mayhew
Senior Director, Product Development
Curana Health Plans / Align Senior Care
Kaitlin Mayhew has more than a decade of experience in the Medicare and Medicaid space. She has held multiple roles supporting Medicare Advantage health plans including sales and implementation, regulatory management, and CMS bid development. Today, Kaitlin leads the Product Department at Curana health plans and Align Senior Care. Specializing in special needs plans, Kaitlin manages benefit strategy and design for more than 30 MAPD plans. She also oversees health plan expansion and new product development. Kaitlin lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, two-year-old daughter, and Australian Shepherd dog.
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Kate McCown, CHC, LLIF
Vice President, Group Compliance
SelectHealth
Kate McCown is Vice President and Compliance Officer for the Ameritas and
Ameritas of New York Group Dental, Vision, and Hearing Division in Lincoln,
Nebraska. She began her career at Ameritas in 1999 and brings with her more than
25 years of experience in the insurance industry. She has served in a variety of
capacities including business operations and underwriting. In 2012 she was
appointed as Director of Health Care Reform and responsible for analysis,
advocacy, strategy and implementation related to Affordable Care Act on state
and Federal levels; presenting on the Affordable Care Act and implications to
dental benefits across the country. In 2014, she was elected as Second Vice
President of Compliance for Ameritas and in 2018, Vice President and Compliance
Officer. In 2014, she was elected to Board of Directors for the National
Association of Dental Plans (NADP) and served two consecutive terms until 2020.
She is Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) by the Healthcare Compliance
Certification Association and is a LIMRA Leadership Institute Fellow.
In her community, she currently serves as a Teammates youth mentor, a steering
committee member of Women in Philanthropy for the United Way of
Lincoln/Lancaster County, a board member of the Members Own Credit Union in
Lincoln, and a board member of the Museum of Nebraska Arts (MONA) in Kearney.
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Katie Martin
Vice President, Quality
Baylor Scott & White Health
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Kelly Delmore
Co-Chair, Government Relations & Public Policy,
Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, P.C.
Kelly Delmore is the Co-Chair of the Government Relations & Public Policy
Department at Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, PC, the largest law firm in the country
dedicated exclusively to representing health care clients. Kelly is a seasoned
health care policy professional who advises clients on federal legislation,
political strategy, and advocacy. Highly regarded and respected on both sides of
the political aisle, Kelly’s practice primarily focuses on representing health
care clients before the U.S. House, Senate, and Administration on payment,
coverage, quality initiatives, and health care access. She currently works with
insurers, national insurance associations, national provider associations, large
health systems, disability advocates, and dialysis providers to create policy
solutions and legislative opportunities. Before becoming a consultant, Kelly
served in a variety of capacities in Washington DC, both on and off Capitol
Hill.
She was director of Federal Government Affairs for the American Physical Therapy
Association, legislative assistant to House Ways & Means Committee member Rep.
Phil English (R-PA), and regulatory policy analyst for the American Osteopathic
Association. Before her time in Washington, Kelly worked in hospital settings in
Pittsburgh, PA, where she focused on health information technology, cancer
registry, and HIPAA implementation. She holds a BS in Health Information
Management and a Master of Health Administration from the University of
Pittsburgh.
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Kimberly Gonzalez
Population Health Specialist, Arizona Best Care Network, LLC
VBCare Network, LLC
Kimberly is a passionate public health professional with a solid foundation in
immunology and microbiology. She holds an undergraduate degree from UC Merced
and a master's in public health from USC. Her experience as a Graduate Research
Assistant at USC's Center for Population Health has honed her skills in data
analysis and interpretation of complex health data. She has worked extensively
with underserved communities, volunteering with organizations like UCSF Fresno
Mobile HeaL Clinic and Project Grow to address health disparities.
As the Population Health Specialist at VBCare Network and ABC Network, she
focuses on improving health outcomes by reducing health disparities through
targeted efforts addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). Her commitment
to advancing public health and creating equitable healthcare access fuels her
drive to contribute to impactful community health initiatives.
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Sharon L. Fletcher
President & CEO
Birdsong Hearing Benefits
Sharon Fletcher is President of Birdsong Hearing Benefits. In addition, she
serves as President
to Birdsong’s subsidiaries, AudioNet America (ANA), Your Hearing Network (YHN)
and
Advanced Hearing Providers (AHP) and Great Lakes Provider Network (GLPN). She is
a highly
accomplished three-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with a history for being
thrust into
completely new businesses, quickly determining the leverage points, developing a
plan to grow
shareholder value, staffing the organization for success, and motivating the
team to deliver the
Plan. She has deep experience in the Healthcare sector but has also demonstrated
the same
approach and results in industries ranging from technology, to consulting, and
even airlines.
Sharon is focused on awakening people to the sounds of life through better
hearing healthcare.
She is an outstanding coach by the thousands of people she has touched.
With over 18-years of managed care experience, she has served as the President
of Fluent
Health, a technology-enabled application platform delivering cost effective
value to the
healthcare sector.
Her numerous achievements include being nominated to be a member of Women
Business
Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation and was also recognized as
one of
Oklahoma’s Outstanding 2018 Chief Executive Officer of the Year. Her extensive
Board
experience includes several United Way chapters, The American Heart Association,
Tulsa’s
Chamber of Commerce, and the Healthcare Advisory Board. She is also a member of
The
National Association of Corporate Directors.
She serves on JAX Chamber Board of Directors and as Vice President of Programs
for JAX
SHRM, including serving on the Board of JAX Society of Human Resources.
Fletcher holds a PhD from Northcentral University, MBA from University of Mary,
MS from La
Roche College, and a Bachelor of Science from Point Park University. She also
obtained an
Executive Leadership Program Certificate from Cornell University in Finance. She
enjoys time
with family, travel, and reads five books a month.
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Lisa Franklin, MS
Director of Product and Marketing Strategy and Individual Medicare P&L Leader | Strategic Growth and Government Programs
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Lisa Franklin is currently the Business Owner of Individual Medicare and
Director of Product and Marketing Strategy focused on driving the Individual
Medicare businesses to financial sustainability, leading the product lifecycle
(strategy, design, management, and optimization), and development of robust
marketing strategies around member retention and engagement. She drives the
business to consistently assess and make improvements in the levers (cost of
care, revenue, quality, and administrative costs) that ensure plans can continue
to offer low premiums, supplemental benefits, and an overall great member
experience. She leads the overall product vision and strategy, while
continuously optimizing Individual Medicare Advantage plans (including Dual
Special Needs), Medicare Supplemental, and Group Medicare Advantage plans in the
Maryland, District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia areas. She manages a team
that leads cross-functional discussions to meet milestones on the product
roadmap driving towards short and long-term strategic goals. She also leads a
team of marketing professionals focused on executing key messages through
various channels (print, digital, phone, and more) for all government programs.
Lisa previously worked at Johns Hopkins Healthcare in Maryland as Product
Development Manager for Medicare Advantage plans. She has over 8 years of
experience leading the Medicare Advantage Bid process at multiple organizations
with a passion for ensuring that data is the driving force for every element of
the product lifecycle. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her
husband and corgi, Turbo, as well as spinning and shopping.
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Lori Rund
Vice President, Government Programs
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
Lori Rund is the Vice President of Government Programs at Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC). Lori is responsible for the oversight and
ongoing strategic direction for Blue KC’s Government Programs line of business,
including financial and operational accountability. She has been with Blue KC
since November 2019. Prior to joining Blue KC, Lori worked nine years for the
Henry Ford Health System health plan, HAP, as the Vice President for Product
Management and Market Intelligence. She has had an extensive career with 30+
years of experience within the healthcare industry.
She is a member of the RISE Medicare Member Acquisition & Experience Advisory
Board and member of the Girls on the Run Board of Greater Kansas City.
Lori earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University, New
Orleans, Louisiana
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Michael Adelberg
Executive Director
National Association of Dental Plans
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Michael Spicer, MBAH
Vice President, Product
CDPHP
Mike leads the Product Innovation team of portfolio managers, researchers, and
analysts at CDPHP in Albany, NY. Mike’s team is always seeking out new trends
and disruptions in healthcare to enhance CDPHP’s product portfolio, ranging the
gamut from digital health technologies to high deductible plans paired with
HSAs.
Mike is most interested in studying and utilizing consumer behavior trends in
healthcare, including the choices people make, why they make those choices, and
the influences required to help them make choices that are more appropriate.
Originally from Syracuse, New York, Mike relocated for his post-secondary
education, including a B.S from Union College (NY) focused in Neuroscience and
Quantitative Economics, as well as a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
focused in Healthcare Management from Clarkson University. Mike now resides with
his family and dachshunds in Latham while continuing to work on his golf game.
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Mina Chang, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Chief Analytics & Compliance Division
Ohio Department of Aging
Dr. Mina Chang brings over 25 years of distinguished leadership in health and
human services across diverse governmental sectors and national markets.
Currently, as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Director at the Ohio Department
of Aging, she drives impactful policy changes to benefit 2.8 million older
Ohioans. Previously, as the Deputy Director, she was at the forefront of
transforming eldercare and healthy aging in Ohio, leading business intelligence
and compliance strategies to ensure innovation and service excellence.
In her role as VP of Quality at Bethesda, a national long-term care provider,
she led COVID response efforts and managed a workforce of 3,000 across 400
programs in 13 states. As Assistant Health Commissioner for NYC, she spearheaded
teams to expand health insurance services for 8 million residents, successfully
onboarding 85,000 new members during ACA open enrollment.
A respected industry speaker, Dr. Chang has advised influential organizations
such as MACPAC, SAMHSA, and CHCS. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and
Management and an MPA from Ohio State University. As a Fellow of the American
Healthcare Executives, Dr. Chang is dedicated to advancing excellence in public
policy and healthcare leadership.
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Monica Pagels
Manager, JV, Product Development
Emergient
Monica Pagels is the Manager of Product Development at Emergient. Emergient brings leading end- to-end Medicare Advantage capabilities to new markets through joint venture partnerships with health plans. As Manager of Product Development, Monica is responsible for the annual Medicare bids, product implementation and oversees product strategy and vendor management. Monica works closely with sales, marketing, enrollment, billing, claims, and customer service to deliver best in class benefits and member experience, leading to a retention rate of over 95% across all Emergient markets.
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Nicole Hungate
Product & Quality Consultant
Brightstar Health Solutions, LLC
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Omar Daoud
Senior Director of Pharmacy
Community Health Plan of Washington
Omar joined Community Health Plan of Washington, CHPW, as the Director of
Pharmacy in 2019 after sixteen years with Walgreens Co., where he led Specialty
Pharmacy operations for the Pacific Northwest Region.
Omar has extensive experience in Specialty Pharmacy, Managed Care including
government programs, and Clinical Pharmacy quality initiatives. Omar’s current
role is focused on PBM relationship oversight, clinical pharmacy integration,
and utilization management of medical and prescription drug benefits. Omar
received his Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Washington in
2005 and continues to reside in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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Seiji Hayashi, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Interim Chief Medical Officer, Community Health Plan of DC, Lead Medical Director for Government Programs
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Dr. Hayashi is Interim Chief Medical Officer for the Community Health Plan of DC
and the Lead Medical Director for Government Programs at CareFirst BlueCross
BlueShield that serves 3.5 million individuals and groups in Maryland and the
Washington metropolitan area. Dr. Hayashi was a member of the National Academies
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s committee that published the seminal
report, “Transforming Health Care to Create Whole Health: Strategies to Assess,
Scale, and Spread the Whole Person Approach to Health.” Dr. Hayashi is board
certified family physician and is an experienced leader in primary care, quality
improvement, and health policy at the local and national levels. Prior to
CareFirst, he spearheaded health services integration and transformation at two
area federally qualified health centers. Hayashi's national health policy
experience comes from his role as Chief Medical Officer for the Bureau of
Primary Health Care at the Health Resources and Services Administration. He
started his career at Georgetown University and at George Washington University
teaching public health and conducting health policy research.
Hayashi has received a number of awards and honors, including the Samuel U.
Rodgers, MD Achievement Award from the National Association of Community Health
Centers. Dr. Hayashi graduated with honors in Studio Art from Vassar College,
received his M.D. with Alpha Omega Alpha distinction from the Albert Einstein
College of Medicine and completed his family medicine residency training at the
University of California San Francisco. He received his M.P.H. from the Harvard
School of Public Health while a fellow with the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard
University Fellowship
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Winnie Grim
Supplemental Benefits Manager
Zing Health
Winnie Grim is a seasoned Healthcare Professional with a knack for achieving
tangible results.
With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Winnie has mastered the
art of driving
revenue growth, optimizing operations to cut costs, and flawlessly implementing
change
management strategies. Winnie excels in leading diverse teams and delivering
outstanding
outcomes and is well-versed in healthcare, CMS, and business savvy. Her
expertise spans
utilization, population health, clinical operations, care management,
value-based care, and
analytics.
With a focus on relationship management and strategic support, Winnie is a
valued leader at
Zing Health, where she manages the supplemental benefits. Her collaboration with
the Product
and Growth teams is paving the way for a promising future for the Medicare
Advantage
Supplemental program at Zing Health.
Winnie currently resides in Virginia. She received her bachelor's degree in
kinesiology from
James Madison University and her master’s in healthcare administration from The
University of
Maryland.