Keynotes

2026 State of the Industry: Navigating Uncertainty as Industry Assumptions Unravel  

KD Weitzel, Research Director and Executive Partner of the Advisory Board

KD is an Expert Partner and member facilitator at Advisory Board, specializing in macroeconomic impacts in the Healthcare industry. KD helps organizations develop strategic direction based on Advisory Board research and guidance.

KD has served in executive research and advisory since the early 2000s. Prior to joining Advisory Board, he was principal executive advisor and facilitator for CEB, now Gartner, as well as at AWS, Forrester, and Slalom. KD also had a multi-decade international career in IT consulting. Since 2016 KD has been an Adjunct Professor at TCU’s Neeley School of Business in Fort Worth. KD lives in Dallas with his wife Celia.

Areas of expertise
State of the Healthcare Industry; macroeconomic impacts on payer, medical product, and employer groups; artificial intelligence in healthcare; digital health market trends; life science enterprise information technology, service line and sites-of-care strategies.

Next Gen Technology for Member Engagement

Tracey Crowell

Iron Mountain

Chris Huelsman

Aetna

Lucy MacCallum - Moderator

Gallagher

Organizations strive to engage their employees. Meet the next-generation member engagement resource—"Rich Communication Services” (RCS) technology. This discussion introduces RCS technology: what it is, how it differs from SMS and other messaging channels, and who is using it today.

You’ll hear from an employer and their health care provider on their experience using this new technology in their health plan. The conversation will include employee feedback, observable behavior changes, lessons learned, and what’s next.

Lost in Translation: Exploring Communication That Drives Engagement

Five chief human resources officers take the stage—moderated by one of their own—for a candid conversation on how communication shapes employee engagement. These executives will share real-world stories of what has worked, what hasn’t, and what they’ve learned along the way. Expect practical insights that resonate across diverse workforces, including benefits-plan communications. The discussion broadens to explore how clear, authentic communication can strengthen connection, trust, and participation across the employee experience. Built for the challenge, our audience will leave with actionable ideas to sharpen their own engagement strategies

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Chad Cotter

Chief of People
Venfen

Moderator: Angel Seufert

Chief People Officer
Empyrean

Susan Sgroi
Executive Vice President, Human Resources & Information Technology
Eversource

Anastasia Bergmann
Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Rhode Island

Stephan Dolling

AVP Global Benefits & Well-being