Rise

Welcome Remarks

Conference Chairs
Ana Handshuh, Principal 
CAT5 Strategies 

Vandna Bhrany, Principal 
8BAdvisors 

She Means Business™: Advanced Business Strategies for Women Leaders in Healthcare

In today's complex and rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, strategic clarity isn't a luxury—it's a leadership imperative. She Means Business™: Advanced Business Strategies for Women Leaders in Healthcare is a powerful keynote session designed specifically for executive women at the forefront of healthcare leadership. Grounded in real-world data and driven by proven results, Berthine Crèvecoeur West delivers 10 transformative strategies that empower attendees to lead with precision, scale their practices with confidence, and drive sustainable value for healthcare organizations. From optimizing operational efficiency and leveraging AI for impact, to mastering strategic partnerships and aligning people with performance, these insights are built for immediate implementation. This isn't just a conversation about leadership—it’s a call to action for visionary women who are ready to elevate their influence and outcomes. 

Goals of the Presentation: 

• Equip women leaders with data-driven strategies to scale their businesses and influence. 
• Provide actionable tools for decision-making, innovation, and organizational resilience. 
• Foster a community of high-performing women committed to redefining success in healthcare leadership. 

Berthine Crèvecoeur West, MA, EMBA, CDE® - CEO 
Westbridge Solutions  
Head of Business Strategy Development| Certified Diversity Executive® 

Women Leading Through Uncertainty: Perspectives on Goal Setting and Transformation in Health Care

In an evolving health care landscape, women leaders face unique challenges and opportunities when navigating transformation and driving organizational success. This session brings together diverse perspectives from a family physician with 20 years of clinical experience and a recent graduate working in health care quality improvement. Together, they will explore how women at different stages of their careers approach goal setting, resilience, and team motivation amid changing dynamics. Attendees will gain practical strategies to foster adaptability, manage change fatigue, and inspire their teams, even in remote and hybrid work environments. Through interactive discussions, participants will leave with actionable tools to lead with confidence and advocate for themselves and their teams.  

• Strategies for setting clear, adaptable goals that align with evolving health care priorities  

• Building resilience and fostering a change-ready mindset at different career stages 

• Enhancing communication and influence as women leaders in health care 

• Balancing personal advocacy and team leadership for long-term success 

Ashley M. Perrott, MD, Senior Physician Executive for Ambulatory Quality 
Novant Health

Analese Hill, BSHCA, Clinical Excellence Performance Coordinator- Safety and Quality Improvement 
Novant Health Medical Group 

Leading a Multigenerational Workforce to Cultivate Innovation, Collaboration, and Growth

• Understand the values, motivations, and work styles of Gen Z to Baby Boomers to foster stronger collaboration and support 
• Develop leadership strategies that encourage creativity, experimentation, and continuous learning within your team 
• Normalize learning from mistakes by building a culture where both achievements and setbacks drive growth 
• Adapt your leadership style to embrace diverse perspectives, empowering all team members to contribute their strengths for greater productivity and harmony 

Moderator: 
Savannah Gonsalves, RN, MHA, Director of Quality & Utilization Management 
Hometown Health 

Setting Boundaries with Empathy and Navigating Mental Health, Expectations, and Leadership

• Learn how to offer support without absorbing others’ emotional burdens, and how to balance empathy with self-care 
• Discover effective strategies for setting clear expectations with your team while maintaining boundaries in personal, time, and mental health matters 
• Understand how to be empathetic without enabling unhealthy behaviors, and how to offer constructive feedback while respecting personal boundaries 

Nicole Blue, Arizona Sales Director 
Devoted Health  

Cathy Yows, MSN, RN, CGRN, CRCST, RN Resource Specialist, Surgical Services, Instructor of Nursing 

Mastering Negotiation and De-Escalation in High-Stress Situations

• Develop effective, clear, and purposeful negotiation skills 
• De-escalate tension and heated situations without sacrificing your personal or professional boundaries 
• Maintain control, balance, and assertiveness to achieve your goals  

Vandna Bhrany, Principal 
8BAdvisors 

The Future of DEI: Acknowledging the Shift and Embracing Action-Oriented Change

• Understand the shift in DEI initiatives and why it's time to move beyond traditional approaches to create meaningful change 

• Explore whether DEI efforts have truly delivered lasting benefits and how to assess their effectiveness in your organization 

• Learn actionable strategies for fostering inclusive environments through new frameworks, setting measurable goals, and leading proactive DEI conversations that drive progress 

Roundtable Discussions – Choose Your Own Adventure!

Participate in a facilitated roundtable discussion and deep dive with peers on timely topics in the industry. 

Are You an Entrepreneur at Heart? 

This roundtable discussion is designed for those interested or those who have started their own business, with practical takeaways for establishing a personal brand and proven marketing techniques. 

Moderator: Berthine Crèvecoeur West, MA, EMBA, CDE® - CEO, Westbridge Solutions  
Head of Business Strategy Development| Certified Diversity Executive® 

Balancing Demanding Careers, Family, and Physical Health  

Join fellow attendees and explore strategies for maintaining wellness, preventing burnout, and creating a lifestyle that supports work-life harmony. 

Moderator: Dr. Shannon Decker, Principal, VBC One   

Streamlining and Simplifying Your Digital, Physical, and Social Space 

Explore how decluttering your digital world, physical environment, and social circles can reduce stress, boost productivity, and create space for what truly matters.  

Prioritizing Personal Development and Investing in Yourself for Long-Term Growth 

Personal development isn’t a luxury, it’s a key investment in your success and well-being. Gain practical ways to make growth a priority, find the right resources, and carve out time for self-improvement as an essential part of self-care. 

Moderator: Laura Sheriff, RN, MSN, CPC, CRC, Risk Adjustment Industry Expert 

Strategic Networking for Building, Growing, and Leveraging Your Connections 

Networking is about building meaningful relationships that drive personal and professional growth. Explore strategies to expand your network, nurture valuable connections, and effectively leverage your relationships for new opportunities and career advancement. 

Moderator: Barrie Cohen, Owner and Founder, BC Public Relations  

Optimize Your Profile and Maximize Your Impact 

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital first impression! In this interactive session, you'll review your profile with peers, gain real-time feedback, and learn key strategies to enhance visibility, build credibility, and leverage LinkedIn for networking and career growth. 

Moderator: Vandna Bhrany, Principal, 8BAdvisors