Agenda for 2025 Scottsdale, AZ

 9:00 - 10:30 am MST (UTC-7) 

 Rise & Shine Putting Clinic
 Sponsored by:  NextGen Healthcare

Start your conference experience with a refreshing morning on the green! Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking to have some fun, this putting clinic is the perfect way to  warm up your swing and connect with fellow attendees. Clubs, putters, and range balls provided along with expert tips and casual instruction in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

 1:30 - 4:00 pm MST (UTC-7)

 Leadership Incubator
 Sponsored by:  Eleos Health

Update from Washington: Never Have I Ever Edition

Presenter: Charles S. Ingoglia MSW, President & CEO, of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Some of you may have seen the TV Show, Never Have I Ever. I doubt that most of us anticipated having to live through it. Never Have I Ever  ... had to wonder if I am really  going to receive the grants that I have been awarded; Never Have I Ever ... had to prepare for such a large reduction in federal funding to my state; Never Have I Ever ... had my  itegrity as a non-profit questioned. And by the time we are together, there will likely be more topics on the list!

 5:00 - 6:30 pm MST (UTC-7) 

 Welcome Reception
 Sponsored by: MHRRG & Negley Associates

All attendees and their travel companions are invited to join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

 7:30 - 8:30 am MST (UTC-7)

 8:30 - 10:00 am MST (UTC-7)

 Welcome & General Session
 Sponsored by: Genoa Healthcare

Reframing Resilience: Connecting to the Present, Others and Oneself

Presenter: Paul Long, Speaker, Author, Podcaster and Master of Shenanigans

We all have been through something, are currently going through something, or will inevitably go through something. So how do we leverage that foundation to connect more to the present, others and ourselves? Learn how to use Paul’s philosophy, Fundamism, to create brain pattern interrupts that will enable them to get out of their head and into the moment.

 Morning Break
 Sponsorship Available!

 10:30 - Noon MST (UTC-7)

 General Session
 Sponsored by:  Martyn Family Foundation

Create a Culture of TRUST to Prepare for an Uncertain Future  

Presenter: Pamela Barnum, Body Language Expert and Trust Strategist

Trust is in crisis, and earning trust has never been more imperative than it is now. Trust solves risk problems, improves culture, and increases innovation to prepare for an uncertain future; without trust, there is no transaction. In this session you’ll learn how to create a culture of trust with: transparent communication, respect for self and others, self-confidence, tenacity, and undercover tactics anyone can use to increase rapport and decrease conflict.

 Noon - 1:30 am MST (UTC-7) 

 Grab Lunch with a Few of Your mhca Peers

 Noon - 1:30 am MST (UTC-7)

 Orientation Lunch for New & Prospective mhca Member CEOs (by invitation only)
 Sponsored by:  INCITE Consulting Solutions

 1:30 - 3:00 pm MST (UTC-7)

 Breakout Sessions

Building a CEO/CFO Dream Team: Critical Skills for Challenging Times!

Facilitator: Jeri Davis, CEO, of JDi - Jeri Davis International
Panelists: Kelly Phillips-Henry PsyD MBA, CEO, and Pete Stroller, CFO of Aurora Mental Health and Recovery; James H. Stewart II MBA, CEO, and Angie Brown, CFO, of Grafton Integrated Health Network

These are critical times for mhca CEOs and CFOs to work more closely together to ensure financial sustainability and continued success through shared and autonomous strengths and opportunities. Join us and learn how CEOs and CFOs at peer organizations are making progress in these areas; determine which strategies make the most sense for your organization;
and gain valuable insider tips to navigate these transitions successfully.

The Next Step in Reframing Resilience – Workshop 

Presenter: Paul Long, Speaker, Author, Podcaster and Master of Shenanigans 

Dive deeper into the “brain pattern interrupts” of connecting to the present, others and oneself. If you’re currently feeling challenged by change, uncertainty or darkness,  this might be exactly what you need to get you out of your head and into the moment.

 Afternoon Break
 Sponsored by: MedTrainer

 3:30 - 5:00 pm MST (UTC-7)

 Breakout Sessions

Rewriting the Cost Equation: Strategies for Smarter Growth in Behavioral Health

Presenter: Javier Favela, VP of Solutions, Behavioral Health & FQHC/CHC, of NextGen Healthcare

Join industry experts as we unpack the operational levers that drive smarter, more sustainable growth. Together, we’ll explore how teams are aligning financial and workforce strategies to expand access, elevate provider satisfaction, and uncover new revenue streams. Topics will include the role of AI in relieving documentation burdens, how organizations are redesigning staffing models and optimizing underutilized locations, and the use of data to guide expansion into value-based care and new service lines.

Crack the Code: 3D Communication Strategies for Powerful Results

Presenter: Pamela Barnum, Body Language Expert and Trust Strategist 

More than 50% of our communication is nonverbal; we miss more than half of the conversation when we fail to pay attention. Learn the secret second language reserved for communication experts and law enforcement to communicate confidence, elevate influence, and improve negotiation outcomes.

 Mid-Way Mingle Reception
 Sponsored by: NextGen Healthcare

All attendees and their travel companions are invited to join us for a casual reception.

 7:30 - 8:30 am MST (UTC-7) 

 Registration & Continental Breakfast
 Sponsorship Available!

 General Session
 Sponsored by: Martyn Family Foundation

The Era of Automation: Rethinking the Workforce of 2030 in Behavioral Health 

Presenter: Tom Herzog, COO, of Netsmart

The Era of Automation is no longer a distant concept. It is here, redefining how we work, deliver care and build teams. During this session, we’ll look back at historical moments when innovation fundamentally altered industries and the leaders who navigated those transitions successfully. We’ll explore the pragmatic realities facing behavioral health systems today and the urgency of developing a 2030 workforce plan. In addition, we’ll examine real-world examples of roles that are evolving now, roles that may no longer be needed and new roles emerging to fill the gaps.

 10:00 - 10:30 am MST (UTC-7)

 Morning Break
 Sponsorship Available!

 General Session

Roadmap to the Future: Shaping mhca’s Path to Advancing Behavioral Health

Presenter: Kiara S. Kuenzler PsyD LP, President & CEO, of mhca

Join us for an interactive session led by mhca’s new CEO, designed to spark meaningful dialogue and forward-thinking collaboration. Together, we’ll explore the most urgent challenges and promising opportunities facing behavioral health leaders today. Through dynamic discussion and shared insights from innovative organizations across the country, we’ll co-create a strategic vision that will guide mhca’s future direction and strengthen our support for member success.

 Noon - 1:30 pm MST (UTC-7)

 Grab Lunch with a Few of Your mhca Peers

 Noon - 1:30 pm MST (UTC-7)

 Lunch & Learn (mhca Members only)
 Sponsored by: Doxy.me

Unlock the Power of Peer Collaboration

Facilitator: Lonnie Parizek, Director of Communications & Membership, of mhca
Panelists: TBA

Take a break, grab lunch, and connect with fellow mhca members to discover the value of mhca-sponsored peer-to-peer collaboration groups. Learn how these groups can support your professional growth, spark innovation, and strengthen your organization. This is a great opportunity to meet peers who can become trusted thought partners and valuable resources for you and your leadership team.

 1:30 - 3:00 pm MST (UTC-7)

 Breakout Sessions

Current Risks and Emerging Strategies in Cybersecurity, IT and AI Governance

Presenters: Serena Carlson, Chief Information Officer, of Comprehensive Healthcare, and Max Henderson, Head of Digital Forensics & Incident Response, of Pondurance

As mental health organizations are facing new threats related to cybersecurity and the increasing adoption of AI tools within the workplace, it’s critical to apply a clear strategic roadmap for limiting exposure to risk, and ensuring that technologies are deployed ethically, securely, and transparently. The presentation outlines how governance frameworks can safeguard sensitive data, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote responsible innovation. Attendees will gain practical insights into approaches to tackling the complex challenges of cybersecurity and AI, and building governance models that foster trust, accountability, and continuous improvement—empowering their organizations to innovate with confidence.

Streamlining Assessment and Integrating Workflows within Complex Systems 

Presenter: Barbara Estrada MS, Director - GAIN Coordinating Center & Software Development, of Chestnut Health Systems

Join us to hear about Mosaic, an exciting new web-based application designed to streamline and improve service delivery within complex systems such as behavioral health, justice, and healthcare. Be a part of discussion to inform it’s development and share use cases for how this product could add value to your organization to shape the utility when released at the end of the year.

 3:00 - 3:30 pm MST (UTC-7)

 Afternoon Break
 Sponsorship Available! 

 3:30 - 5:00 pm MST (UTC-7)

 COi Reimagined
 Sponsored by: NextGen Healthcare 

A Roundtable Discussion on AI in Behavioral Healthcare 

Connect with your peers for a dynamic roundtable discussion on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in behavioral healthcare. We’ll explore how AI can support care delivery and share real-world experiences with implementation challenges. Topics will include: security and privacy concerns, clinician adoption and workflow integration, patient perceptions and trust, lessons learned and unexpected hiccups. Bring your insights, questions, and curiosity as we collaborate to uncover innovative solutions to shared challenges in the behavioral healthcare space.

 3:30 - 5:00 pm MST (UTC-7)

 mhca Board of Directors Meeting
 Chair:  Kelly Phillips-Henry PsyD MBA

 5:00 - 6:30 pm MST (UTC-7)

 Elite Event
 Sponsorship Available!  

Cap off the week with an unforgettable experience designed exclusively for those who stay until the end. This is your chance to connect and unwind with fellow leaders who are just as committed as you are. Join us for food, cocktails/mocktails, and some fun with GLOW IN THE DARK PUTT-PUTT!