Agenda for 2026 Clearwater Beach, FL

 1:30 - 3:30 pm EST (UTC-5)

 Leadership Incubator
 Sponsored by:  LIO

Building Leaders from Within

Discover how organizations are strategically investing in leadership development, succession planning, and employee engagement. In this peer-led session, presenters will share their unique approaches to implementing a research-based curriculum, which focuses on building trust, alignment, effective communication, execution, and leader capacity.

 4:00 - 5:00 pm EST (UTC-5)

 Speed Networking

Connect, Share & Grow!

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

Jumpstart your conference experience with this fast-paced, high-energy networking session designed to help you make meaningful connections in minutes. Whether you’re looking to exchange ideas, find collaborators, or simply expand your professional network, Speed Networking is the perfect opportunity to meet a variety of peers in a short amount of time.

 5:00 - 6:30 pm EST (UTC-5) 

 Welcome Reception
 Sponsored by:  MHRRG & Negley Associates   

 7:30 - 8:30 am EST (UTC-5)

 VIP Registration Station
 Sponsored by: Oracle Health

Get checked in and grab a delicious mimosa or gourmet coffee to make the Annual Meeting much more fun!  :)

 7:30 - 8:30 am EST (UTC-5)

 8:30 - 10:00 am EST (UTC-5)

 Welcome & Annual Meeting

State of the Association: Annual Report & Vision for the Future 

Presenters: 

• Kiara Kuenzler PsyD LP, President & CEO, of mhca
• Kelly Phillips-Henry PsyD MBA, mhca Chair, and CEO of Aurora Mental Health Center
• C.J. Davis PsyD, mhca Vice Chair, and CEO of Brightli
• Steven Sheets LPC, mhca Treasurer, and President & CEO of Southwest Behavioral & Health Services
• Tom Sebastian MS MPA, mhca Secretary, and President & CEO of Compass Health 

Join us for this important session as our leadership presents the Annual Report, sharing key achievements, challenges, and milestones from the past year. This session will also offer a forward-looking perspective on the strategic priorities shaping our path ahead. Gain insights into the vision for the future of YOUR association and how we can collectively move our
mission forward.

 Morning Break
 Sponsorship Available!

 10:30 - Noon EST (UTC-5)

 General Session
 Sponsored by:  Martyn Family Foundation

Debrief to Win

Presenter: Robert “Cujo” Teschner, Award-Winning Fighter Pilot and Author of 2 #1 Best-selling Books 

Learn a proven methodology for improving performance and leadership accountability in the business world, inspired by the debriefing techniques used by elite military leaders. This proven debriefing framework gives leaders the tools to build tight-knit, high-trust teams that execute with precision and win together.

 Noon - 1:30 am EST (UTC-5) 

 Grab Lunch with a Few of Your mhca Peers

 Noon - 1:30 am EST (UTC-5)

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

 1:30 - 3:00 pm EST (UTC-5)

 Breakout Sessions

OBBBA: What It Means for Behavioral Health Leaders

Presenter: Dennis P. Morrison PhD, Chief Clinical Officer, of Eleos Health

Session description coming soon!

Experiencing Accountability That Inspires

Presenter: Robert “Cujo” Teschner, Award-Winning Fighter Pilot and Author of 2 #1 Best-selling Books 

What if accountability felt inspiring instead of intimidating? In this dynamic breakout building on Cujo’s powerful “Debrief to Win” keynote, you’ll explore how fighter  pilots use debriefs to drive team learning and continuous improvement. You’ll learn the core methodology behind “Debrief to Win”, practice forward-focused, team-based accountability, and discover how this approach can transform any team culture.

 Afternoon Break
 Sponsorship Available! 

 3:30 - 5:00 pm EST (UTC-5)

 Breakout Sessions

Succession Planning During Times of Disruption: “Always Be Prepared”

Presenters: Stacy DiStefano MC, CEO, of Consulting For Human Services; and Heather Falck, Executive Director, of Independence Blue Cross Foundation

How can leaders keep an eye to the future by cultivating leadership development of those on their team, and be prepared for their own professional advancement as  well? Succession planning is necessary, and perhaps even more critical, during periods of disruption, to ensure stability and growth. For exiting leaders-being attuned to the generational shifts that are driving the leaders of tomorrow is a key to success. For leaders looking to advance, knowing how to “always be prepared” will put you in the best position when the next opportunity arises.

TBD

Presenters: TBD

Session description coming soon!

 Mid-Way Mingle Reception
 Sponsored by:  Genoa Healthcare

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

 7:30 - 8:30 am EST (UTC-5) 

 Registration & Continental Breakfast
 Sponsorship Available! 

 General Session
 Sponsored by:  ContinuumCloud 

Behavioral Healthcare in a Time of Homogeneity, Inequity and Exclusion

Presenter: Joshua Rubin MPP, VP - Client Solutions, of Health Management Associates

In recent months, federal healthcare policy has made an abrupt turn away from decades of movement in the direction of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and shifting support away from models such as harm reduction and housing first. This change in the policy environment and federal priorities has significant implications for behavioral healthcare providers and the people you serve. In this session, HMA’s Josh Rubin will attempt to offer mhca members ideas about how to understand this shifting landscape, adapt to it, advocate within it, and serve your clients despite it.

 10:00 - 10:30 am EST (UTC-5)

 Morning Break
 Sponsorship Available! 

 General Session

Succeeding as a Resilient and Fearlessly Authentic Leader

Presenter: Siri Lindley, American Triathlon Coach and Former Professional Triathlete 

Resilience and authenticity are timeless traits of great leaders, and more essential than ever amid times of disruption. Former world #1 triathlete Siri transitioned from elite athlete to elite coach, guiding 11 world champions, 2 Olympic medalists, and hundreds of top performers. Today, she brings her ChampionMind approach to organizational leaders, helping them reframe challenges and master mindset, emotion, and meaning. How can habits and rituals drive high team performance? How does a shared vision fuel purpose and motivation? Siri shares how to connect with teams to retain and grow top talent—through the same mindset that built champions.

 Noon - 1:30 pm EST (UTC-5)

 Grab Lunch with a Few of Your mhca Peers

 1:30 - 3:00 pm EST (UTC-5)

 General Session

AI in Action: Driving Measurable Clinical Outcomes and Workflow Transformation at Sam Rodgers

Presenters: Brianna Hoisington, Advanced Practice Nurse, of Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center; and Javier Favela, VP, Market & Segment Leader, of NextGen Healthcare

AI tools are transforming healthcare—and Sam Rodgers is seeing real results. Ambient listening tech now turns provider-patient conversations into structured data, suggesting codes and orders while saving providers 2.5 hours daily. The benefits go beyond efficiency: low birth weight rates dropped from 8% to 5.5%, and diabetes management improved by up to 4%. With better documentation, providers can focus more on care and outcomes. In this session, Brianna and Javier will share how AI-driven workflows boost both provider satisfaction and patient results—offering a practical roadmap for implementing ambient tech and redesigning care delivery.

Diving Deeper into Resilience and Authenticity 

Presenter: Siri Lindley, American Triathlon Coach and Former Professional Triathlete

Join Siri to dive deeper into your own habits and rituals that can cultivate high team performance and exceptional leadership in times of challenge and change.

 3:00 - 3:30 pm EST (UTC-5)

 Afternoon Break
 Sponsorship Available!

 3:30 - 5:00 pm EST (UTC-5)

 COi Reimagined
 Sponsored by:  NextGen Healthcare 

A Roundtable Discussion - TBD

Facilitators: Your mhca peers

Connect with your peers for a dynamic roundtable discussion on a pressing topic of our time. 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 EST (UTC-5)

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

 5:00 - 6:30 pm EST (UTC-5)

 Elite Event
 Sponsored by:  LIO 

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 close-up magic!