Speaker Bios
Meet the 2026 IHCA Convention Speakers
Three keynotes
40+ education sessions
30+ expert speakers
Use the buttons below to jump to speakers, organized alphabetically by last name.
Carla Bacon Smith
Lifetime Expressions
About Carla
Carla Bacon Smith is a nationally recognized speaker and educator with more than 40 years of experience serving older adults in long-term care. A graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in music therapy, she is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Dementia Capable Trainer. Carla has spent more than 25 years as an activity director in skilled nursing and rehabilitation and currently serves as Director of Lifestyles for a continuing care retirement community. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, she delivers practical, engaging education on dementia care, life enrichment and creative programming. Through her work with Lifetime Expressions, Carla has authored numerous resources and inspired health care and recreation professionals across the country for more than two decades.
Kathleen Beebout
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing
About Kathleen
Kathleen Beebout graduated from Grand View University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1985. She worked as a registered nurse (RN) from 1985 to 1989 at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. After receiving her Juris Doctorate in 1991 from Drake University, she was a trial attorney in Des Moines from 1991 to 2008. Since 2008, Kathleen has been a Health Professions Investigator with the state of Iowa. In her present position, she completes confidential investigations of professional licensees with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing Division (DIAL), Compliance Bureau.
Becki Brommel
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
About Becki
Becki Brommel is an attorney whose practice focuses on health law, litigation and administrative law, with extensive experience representing health care providers in regulatory and compliance matters. She advises nursing facilities, continuing care communities, pharmacies and other health care organizations on licensing, regulatory citations, CMS and state agency proceedings, reimbursement disputes and risk management. Becki is also experienced in health care litigation, collections, credentialing, contract disputes and appeals. Known for her practical, strategic approach, she helps providers navigate complex legal challenges while minimizing risk and achieving effective, business-focused solutions.
Veronica Caesar
Gem Healthcare Consulting
About Veronica
Veronica Ceaser is Vice President of Clinical Reimbursement and founder of Gem Healthcare Consulting, where she helps long-term and post-acute care organizations strengthen quality, compliance and clinical systems. As a nurse leader, educator and health care consultant, Veronica is known for translating complex regulations into practical, defensible processes that frontline teams can implement with confidence. She specializes in clinical integrity, operational strategy and leadership development, supporting nurses, administrators and interdisciplinary teams in improving performance and care delivery. As a national speaker, published contributor and trusted advisor, Veronica brings an evidence-based, real-world perspective grounded in the belief that strong systems protect both residents and the professionals who care for them.
Laura Folkerts
Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C.
About Laura
Laura Folkerts is an attorney at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., practicing primarily in labor and employment law, including employee benefits and employment-related litigation. Laura provides guidance to employers on a wide range of employment matters and assists with training, policy review, investigations and complaints, both internal and before agencies.
Allison Fox
About Allison
Coming Soon
Julie Halfpop
Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc.
About Julie
Coming Soon
Mark Hudson
Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C.
About Mark
Mark Hudson is an attorney and Senior Vice President at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C. Mark’s work focuses on a multitude of labor and employment services like compliance and counseling (including personnel policies and decisions, workplace investigations, affirmative action program compliance, wage and hour advice and general employment counseling) and labor and employment litigation (including equal opportunity, wrongful discharge, discrimination, sexual harassment and defense of employment-related claims). In addition, Mark does workplace training (including sexual harassment, workplace civility, bystander intervention and other training topics for supervisor, employee and human resource professionals). He also works with clients on privacy and data security compliance and litigation, along with fair housing litigation and compliance.
Jeremy Ingrim
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing
About Jeremy
Jeremy Ingrim is Bureau Chief of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) located in the Investigations Division of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL). Jeremy joined the MFCU in 2014 as an investigator before being promoted in 2016 to his current role. Before joining the MFCU, Jeremy served as a police officer for 10 years, during which time he served as a field training officer and detective. Prior to beginning his career in law enforcement, Jeremy earned his B.S. in Accounting from Kansas State University.
Craig Karges
Award Winning Entertainer + Keynote Speaker
About Craig
Craig Karges is an award-winning entertainer, keynote speaker and master mentalist whose extraordinary performances blend the art of magic, the science of psychology and the power of intuition. Having appeared in more than 5,000 performances across 25 countries and all 50 states, Craig has captivated audiences at corporate events, theaters, universities and casinos worldwide. A frequent television guest, he has appeared on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox News, CNBC, Lifetime and E!, and has starred in two national television specials. Recognized as one of the world's top mystery entertainers and inducted into the National Speakers Association Speaker Hall of Fame, Craig creates unforgettable experiences that challenge perceptions, inspire curiosity and leave audiences wondering if the impossible just happened.
Karen Kiel Rosser
Mary Greeley Medical Center
About Karen
Karen Kiel Rosser leads quality, performance excellence and organizational strategy at her medical center, overseeing the development and implementation of a system-wide framework based on the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework, Lean and Six Sigma principles. She has guided the organization in achieving the Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence — the state's highest honor for organizational excellence — four times. Karen is passionate about helping organizations build a culture of continuous improvement that drives exceptional quality, performance and outcomes.
Amy Miller
American Health Care Association
About Amy
Amy Miller serves as the Director of Clinical and Regulatory Services at the American Health Care Association (AHCA). A registered nurse with over 25 years of experience in skilled nursing and long-term care, Amy brings a deep understanding of clinical operations, regulatory compliance and health care quality improvement to her role. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Misericordia University in Pennsylvania and is certified as a Professional Coder (CPC) through the AAPC, as well as a Resident Assessment Coordinator–Certified (RAC-CT). Her broad expertise supports AHCA’s mission to improve lives by delivering solutions for quality care in post-acute and long-term care settings nationwide.
Avi Olitzgy
Olitzky Consulting Group
About Avi
Avi Olitzky is President and Principal Consultant of Olitzky Consulting Group, where he helps organizations strengthen leadership, engagement and strategic planning. A master facilitator, design thinker and futurist, Avi has led innovative initiatives across the nonprofit, association, faith-based and corporate sectors, drawing on a diverse background that includes serving as a senior rabbi, entrepreneur and nonprofit board leader. He is a nationally recognized speaker, retreat facilitator and trusted advisor, with expertise in organizational development, membership engagement and innovation. Avi is also co-author of New Membership & Financial Alternatives for the American Synagogue and serves on the faculty of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Organization Management.
Jennifer Osburn
Healthcare Provider Solutions, Inc.
About Jennifer
Jennifer Osburn is a home health consultant with Healthcare Provider Solutions, Inc. (HPS) and brings more than 30 years of experience in home health care. A credentialed OASIS and ICD-10 coding expert, she has extensive expertise in clinical case management, agency operations, quality improvement, education, compliance and Medicare regulations. Jennifer is known for translating complex regulatory guidance into practical strategies that help agencies improve efficiency, compliance and patient care. A sought-after national speaker and educator, she has delivered training for state and national associations, The Joint Commission, ACHC and home health organizations across the country, and has authored numerous industry articles and educational resources.
Eric Palm
Provider Partners
About Eric
Eric Palm is Chief Growth Officer at Provider Partners, where he helps advance technology-enabled value-based care for the long-term care industry. With more than 15 years of health care experience, Eric partners with providers and facilities to develop strategies that improve patient outcomes while enhancing operational performance. His expertise in value-based care, long-term care operations and innovative health care solutions helps organizations successfully navigate the shift toward patient-centered, outcomes-driven models.
Keith Persinger
Provider Partners Connect Care
About Keith
As a respected leader in health care transformation, Keith Persinger brings nearly 30 years of executive experience driving operational, clinical and financial strategy across acute and post-acute settings. As CEO of Provider Partners Connect Care, Keith leads one of the nation’s few value-based care organizations dedicated to long-term care, partnering with skilled nursing and assisted living facilities to succeed in High-Needs ACO REACH and other advanced care models.
Joni Ploeger
Dentons Davis Brown Law Firm
About Joni
Joni Ploeger is an experienced attorney who represents employers, insurers and businesses in workers' compensation, employment law and insurance defense matters. She advises clients on risk management, regulatory compliance and litigation strategy, with extensive experience handling workers' compensation claims, employment disputes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) compliance and insurance defense cases. Drawing on experience representing both employers and claimants, Joni provides practical, balanced guidance to help organizations minimize risk and achieve successful outcomes through litigation, mediation or settlement.
Melinda Renshaw
Renshaw Reimbursement and Consulting
About Melinda
Melinda Renshaw, RN, RAC-CT Advanced, is the owner of Renshaw Reimbursement and Consulting and brings more than 28 years of nursing experience, primarily in long-term care. With expertise in Minimum Data Set (MDS), Medicaid Case Mix Index (CMI), the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) and reimbursement, she helps providers strengthen documentation, improve reimbursement accuracy and reduce regulatory risk. Drawing on experience as a clinician, MDS coordinator and corporate reimbursement specialist, Melinda provides practical guidance to facilities across multiple states and is a sought-after speaker on reimbursement strategies, compliance and MDS best practices.
Michelle Roberts
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing
About Michelle
Michelle Roberts is the Bureau Chief of Compliance in the professional licensing division at the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL). She has been employed by the state of Iowa for 23 years as an investigator or supervisor, and completed investigations for the medical board prior to becoming the Bureau Chief of Compliance. Michelle has spent 17 years with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as a child and dependent adult abuse investigator and investigations supervisor, and is passionate about protecting Iowans and public service.
Michele Self
Real Time Medical Systems
About Michele
Michele Self brings more than 30 years of post-acute care experience, including leadership roles as Vice President of Clinical Reimbursement for multi-state organizations and Regional Director of Operations overseeing 15 skilled nursing facilities. She specializes in reimbursement, the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), managed care, Minimum Data Set (MDS) processes and quality measures. As Customer Success Manager at Real Time, Michele helps providers navigate evolving ACO and managed care reimbursement models through education and product development. She also serves on the AHCA Clinical Practice Committee and is an AHCA Quality Award Examiner.
Jim Shearon
Real Time Medical Systems
About Jim
Jim Shearon is Vice President of Clinical Solutions for Real Time Medical Systems and brings more than 30 years of long-term care experience. A recognized subject matter expert, his expertise spans clinical care, Minimum Data Set (MDS), Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, quality improvement, health information technology and evidence-based care. Jim provides clinical and operational leadership, supports product development and project management, and delivers training and consulting to help providers improve quality, compliance and operational performance.
Cara Silletto
Magnet Culture
About Cara
Cara Silletto, MBA, CSP, is a nationally recognized workforce thought leader, keynote speaker and founder of Magnet Culture. With a career that began at a senior care association, Cara understands the unique workforce challenges facing post-acute care providers and is passionate about helping organizations build cultures where employees thrive. She is the visionary co-creator of the Employee Retention Ecosystem™, author of Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave & How to Keep Them Longer, and has been recognized by Workforce Magazine as a "Game Changer" and Recruiter.com as one of the "Top 10 Company Culture Experts to Watch." Through her engaging presentations, Cara equips leaders with practical strategies to improve employee retention and strengthen workplace culture.
Amy Skelton
HealthCARE of Iowa
About Amy
Amy Skelton has 25-plus years of nursing experience both in acute care and post-acute care settings with the majority of her career in senior living. She served as a director of nursing for seven years at a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) and has extensive experience in regulatory compliance, process improvement and implementation of EHR systems. Amy is currently a nurse consultant for HealthCARE of Iowa, working with long-term care and assisted living facilities on regulatory compliance, education and staff development.
Ron Smith
Mary Greeley Medical Center
About Ron
Ron Smith serves as Performance Excellence Director for Mary Greeley Medical Center, where he leads the organization's performance improvement strategy and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. He oversees Project Portfolio Management (PPM), facilitates rapid improvement events and partners with teams across the medical center to implement standardized work and manage daily improvement practices. Ron is dedicated to helping organizations achieve sustainable operational excellence through practical, team-driven improvement strategies.
Barbara Speedling
Barbara Speedling's Education Services
About Barbara
An inspirational and motivational speaker, Barbara Speedling is an author, educator and management consultant at the forefront of person-centered care. An innovator with more than 30 years of practical experience within the adult care community, she is the expert providers turn to when they want to ensure that the services they provide meet not only the physical needs of their residents, but their emotional and psychosocial needs as well. In 2026, Barbara received the national Education Award from the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) for her extraordinary impact as an educator dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in long-term care. The author of three books devoted to common sense advice for meeting the holistic needs of an increasingly diverse and challenging community, Why is Grandma Screaming, Toward Better Behavior: Yours Mine & Everyone Else’s and Sex, Drugs and Rolling Walkers: The Future of Long-Term Care are now widely distributed to staff members at community, residential and long-term care facilities internationally.
Michelle Stober
Senior Care Solutions
About Michelle
Michelle Stober is a nurse consultant and health care executive with more than 30 years of experience in clinical reimbursement, regulatory compliance and performance improvement across the care continuum. She specializes in Medicare's Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) and CMS Quality Reporting Programs (QRP), helping organizations navigate today's complex regulatory and reimbursement environment. Known for translating complex requirements into practical, actionable strategies, Michelle equips nursing and leadership teams with the tools to strengthen clinical oversight, improve quality outcomes and optimize reimbursement while supporting high-quality resident care.
Chris Sund
Uniti Med, GQR Healthcare and Nebula
About Chris
Chris Sund is President and COO of Uniti Med, GQR Healthcare and Nebula, where he leads organizations at the intersection of health care staffing and AI-driven talent intelligence. Under his leadership, the platform has experienced rapid growth while earning multiple Best Places to Work recognitions, including Fortune's Best Places to Work. As an active executive leading teams at scale, Chris shares practical, real-time insights on leadership, workplace culture and innovation. He serves on the Board of Directors for NATHO, contributes to NAHCR, participates in the Greater Omaha Chamber's CODE program for CEOs and was recognized as a Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.
Aaron Thomas
Son of Coach Ed Thomas
About Aaron
Aaron Thomas is an inspirational speaker who shares a powerful message of leadership, resilience, forgiveness and the impact one person can have on others. Following the tragic murder of his father, legendary Iowa high school football coach Ed Thomas, Aaron returned to Parkersburg to continue his father's legacy of servant leadership and community. Through his compelling story, Aaron challenges audiences to overcome adversity, embrace the power of choice and become true difference-makers in their families, organizations and communities. Aaron and his family received the 2010 Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPY Awards, and he continues to inspire audiences across the country with lessons rooted in character, purpose and hope.
Missy Travis
IP&C Consulting, LLC
About Missy
Missy Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, is Founder of IP&C Consulting, LLC, where she helps health care organizations develop and sustain effective infection prevention and control programs. With more than 25 years of experience, her expertise spans acute care, academic medical centers, inpatient rehabilitation, public health, long-term care, behavioral health and professional sports organizations. A nationally recognized speaker and infection prevention leader, Missy has presented for organizations including APIC, AHCA, AHE and ALM, led national infection prevention initiatives, and developed innovative education programs to strengthen infection prevention practices across the continuum of care.
Kim Warnecke
The Why Factor, LLC
About Kim
Kim Warnecke is a speaker, consultant and health care leader with extensive experience building positive, high-performing workplace cultures in skilled nursing and long-term care. A former licensed nursing home administrator and Chief People Officer, she combines operational expertise with a master's degree in public administration focused on human resources. Kim specializes in leadership development, middle management training, recruitment and retention, workplace civility and culture transformation. Through her practical and engaging presentations, she equips health care leaders with strategies to strengthen teams, improve workplace culture and create environments where both employees and residents thrive.
Jo Ellen Whitney
Dentons Davis Brown Law Firm
About Jo Ellen
Jo Ellen Whitney is an experienced attorney and nationally recognized speaker who advises employers and health care organizations on employment law, labor relations, health care law and regulatory compliance. Known for her practical, engaging presentation style, she helps employers navigate complex workplace issues, including employee relations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), wage and hour laws, discrimination, privacy and policy development. Jo Ellen represents clients before administrative agencies and courts and is a trusted advisor to health care providers, business leaders and human resource professionals, equipping organizations with practical strategies to reduce risk and maintain compliance.