Government Relations Coordinator, Washington Health Care Association

Aidan serves as Government Relations Coordinator for WHCA. Aidan’s background spans from nonprofit advocacy and fundraising management to policy research and development work with the U.S. State Department. Aidan recently graduated from the University of Washington, and holds a degree in International Affairs. He is excited and honored to be working with WHCA members to drive meaningful policy change by equipping them with strategies to tell their stories and connect better with our policy instruments here in Washington. Aidan has previously worked with the state House of Representatives supporting nonpartisan research staff as a Committee Assistant with the Office or Program Research.

Skin & Wound Care Specialist, United Wound Healing

Dillon has a passion to give back to the same community that helped him recover from a brain injury, Dillon is focused on the benefits and positive impacts of outstanding health care. He considers it a privilege to work in a field that is dedicated to improving patients’ lives and looks forward to helping others on a daily basis.

Skin & Wound Care Specialist, United Wound Healing

Brandy Mey is a dedicated healthcare professional with over 22 years of experience in nursing. She currently serves as the Lead Clinical Resource Nurse at United Wound Healing. Brandy specializes in wound care and holds certification as a Wound Care Associate.

Throughout Brandy’s career, she has held various roles in healthcare settings, including 14 years in Skilled Nursing where she served as a Resident Care Manager (RCM), MDS case manager, floor nurse, and quarterly assessment nurse. Her expertise in wound care has been a consistent asset to the teams they’ve worked with. With a passion for continuous learning, Brandy thrives on expanding her knowledge base in all aspects of skin and wound management. She firmly believes in the power of education to empower individuals, fostering confidence in managing skin and wound issues effectively.

Outside of the healthcare realm, Brandy finds joy in the tranquility of the foothills of Mt. Rainier in Washington. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast, and enjoys gardening, sewing, and crafting in her leisure time.

Director of Assisted Living, Washington Health Care Association

Vicki McNealley is directly responsible for supporting WHCA member assisted living providers through regulatory clarification, nurse consultation, facility system evaluation, advocacy, and education. Vicki is responsible for developing and implementing WHCA programs to support providers in these areas. As staff liaison for the Assisted Living Quality and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Vicki works with members to promote quality care and services at every level.

Vicki spent ten years as the assisted living director for WHCA prior to serving as the Corporate Director of Regulatory Compliance for Village Concepts for over six years. She has extensive experience as a teacher, consultant and provider, and has been involved in assisted living operations and policy work since 1999. Vicki has served as a national award reviewer for the American Health Care Association and worked closely with the American Assisted Living Nurses Association to develop its certification exam. Vicki is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in community health nursing and a doctorate degree in nutrition.

Regional Sales Director, True Connection Communities

Dresden Cincurak is a senior-living sales strategist, speaker, and Regional Sales Director for True Connection Communities, where she leads multi-state teams focused on driving occupancy through relationship-based, data-driven sales execution. With a background spanning community-level sales, corporate strategy, and national consulting, Dresden is known for helping teams move beyond transactional selling into meaningful, trust-based conversations that convert. She brings deep expertise in inquiry management, discovery, tour experiences, and follow-up systems that prevent leads from falling through the cracks and turn interest into move-ins.

In addition to her corporate leadership, Dresden is the founder of Depend on Dresden, a coaching brand dedicated to helping people create real, sustainable change in both their health and their lives. Dresden blends behavioral science, mindset work, and practical systems to help clients build habits that last. Whether she’s coaching a sales team or a client, Dresden is driven by one mission: helping people feel seen, supported, and confident enough to take the next right step.

Public Affairs Communications Strategist

Aaron Pickus is a public affairs communications strategist with 16 years of experience spanning elected officials, corporations, ballot measures and advocacy groups. He served as spokesperson for former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and founded Pickus Communications in 2015 after supporting public affairs campaigns for AT&T and Vulcan Philanthropy at Gogerty Marriott. Aaron specializes in media strategy, crisis communications, and campaigns that drive public policy outcomes. His work spans urban development, health care, education, and regulated industries like cannabis and commercial gaming. Aaron has been honored to share his approach to public affairs as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington (where he previously earned his Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Political Science) and Seattle University. He lives in West Seattle with his wife and two kids.

Senior Director of Partner Education, Incite Strategic Partners

Jen Bruning MS, RDN, LDN, serves as the Director of Partner Education for Incite Strategic Partners, the exclusive Group Purchasing Organization of Washington and Idaho Health Care Associations. Prior to coming to Incite, Jen spent her dietetics career in food service, in both the corporate wellness and senior living sectors helping to shape the dining experience of clients around the country. Jen has previously held the positions of professor of nutrition at Columbia College Chicago, Wellness Director & Nutrition Strategist for large national food service providers, and both clinical and food service leadership roles in a skilled nursing environment. Jen recently concluded nine years as a National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. She presents dining and nutrition-related educational content to senior living professionals on a regular basis, including the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, many AHCA/NCAL state associations, and industry groups such as ICAA.

Regional Manager, Midwest QIN-QIO

Nina Sanderson, Regional Manager for Nursing Homes, will provide an introduction to the Midwest Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) program. This is a comprehensive quality improvement program that helps nursing homes improve quality of care while meeting regulatory requirements. Our experienced healthcare quality improvement advisors provide direct technical assistance and resources, advanced data and analytics support, evidence-based intervention recommendations and customized training and education to eligible nursing homes at no cost. The QIN-QIO program has just entered its 13th Statement of Work (SOW), which allows for customization to meet each provider’s quality improvement needs. This SOW will continue until 2030, and includes Health Information Technology, Disease Prevention, Patient Safety, Behavioral Health, Emergency Preparedness, Care Coordination, and Workforce Challenges.

Director, WA Board of Nursing

Reuben Sangco Argel, born in Manila, Philippines, earned a BS in Nursing from George Mason University in 1997, completed a Critical Care Fellowship at Washington Hospital Center in 1998, and later received an MBA from Hawaii Pacific University in 2005, along with certification in Surgical Services Management. Fluent in Tagalog, he was directly commissioned into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1999 and completed extensive military education across leadership, medical, and operational disciplines.

He has held numerous leadership and clinical roles, including Deputy Commander for Joint Task Force Medical-Afghanistan (2018–2019) and service during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait (2008–2009), along with key positions in nursing, operations, and command across multiple units and medical centers. His military honors include the Bronze Star Medal, multiple Meritorious Service and Commendation Medals, and the Combat Action Badge.

Argel lives in University Place, Washington, with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys family time, martial arts, and football, and has worked across all levels of nursing leadership. He currently serves as Director for Nursing Assistant Education at the Washington State Department of Health.

President, Relentless Leadership LLC – Crestcom

Manny Martinez is the President of Relentless Leadership LLC., a Crestcom International authorized agent. Crestcom delivers interactive learning experiences in leadership and management which help people produce real business results across 60 countries and 25,000 clients.
In October 2018, Manny completed a 30-year career in the United States Air Force, reaching the summit of leadership as Chief Master Sergeant. He served military tours in the U.S., Germany, Italy and Turkey, and deployed to military operations in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan.
Manny hails from Olympia, Washington, is married to his wife Barbara and they have two children, Laura and Alessandro.

Founder/CEO, Aegeliss

Ju Tu is the founder and CEO of Aegeliss, an accessibility-first company creating dementia-friendly products and tools that support independence, joy and connection. The visual support system and engagement activities helps people living with dementia enjoy sustained engagement and be more involved in daily routines.Prior to Aegeliss, she advised Fortune 500 companies on operations and large-scale program design. She translates complex caregiving challenges into simple, practical solutions that simplify the daily care of family and professional caregivers.

Gombosky Consulting

Jeff Gombosky has multiple decades of expertise in Washington State politics. His firm combines strong bipartisan relationships with substantive technical experience in issues including taxation, health care, transportation, consumer products, education, and technology.

President & CEO, WHCA

Carma Matti-Jackson is the president and chief executive officer of the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA). In this capacity, Carma oversees the management, operations, and strategic direction of WHCA. She holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’ in public relations from Pacific Lutheran University.

Carma has worked in areas of Washington State public and fiscal policy since 2004. Before taking on her current role, Carma worked as a private consultant on behalf of stakeholders in the development of a new Skilled Nursing Facility Medicaid payment system that was adopted in statute in 2016 and a new Assisted Living Medicaid payment system that was adopted in statute in 2018. She also represented WHCA by staffing a subcommittee of the Washington State Nursing Commission’s Long-term Care Workforce Committee and was instrumental in developing data-driven storytelling that has brought long term care workforce issues to the forefront. Her background includes twelve years of public service for the state of Washington, seven of which were served as non-partisan senior fiscal staff for the Washington State Legislature.

EVP, Communications & Government Relations, WHCA

Lauri St. Ours is the Executive Vice President for Government Relations for WHCA. In this capacity, she is responsible for oversight of state government affairs, working with the CEO and association leadership to determine legislative and policy priorities for WHCA’s skilled nursing and assisted living members. In addition to supporting the Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facility Reimbursement Committees, Lauri manages to the WHCA political action committee and oversees grassroots engagement and legislative communication strategies.

As a troubleshooter and problem-solver, Lauri values strong collegial relationships with legislators and staff, state agency leaders and other stakeholders who have oversight and engagement in long term care issues. Lauri has nearly 30 years of experience working with the Washington State Legislature. Prior to joining the staff of WHCA in 2005, she served as the executive director of the Northwest Assisted Living Facilities Association for ten years. Early in her career, Lauri also worked in K-12 education advocacy in her positions with the Washington School Administrators Association and the Washington State School Directors Association.

Government Relations Coordinator, Washington Health Care Association

Aidan serves as Government Relations Coordinator for WHCA. Aidan’s background spans from nonprofit advocacy and fundraising management to policy research and development work with the U.S. State Department. Aidan recently graduated from the University of Washington, and holds a degree in International Affairs. He is excited and honored to be working with WHCA members to drive meaningful policy change by equipping them with strategies to tell their stories and connect better with our policy instruments here in Washington. Aidan has previously worked with the state House of Representatives supporting nonpartisan research staff as a Committee Assistant with the Office or Program Research.

Founder, Never Tech Behind

Jordache Johnson is an international keynote speaker and AI adoption strategist. He studies how breakthrough technologies throughout history actually get adopted by people and organizations. Most AI implementations fail because they focus on technology instead of people and systems. He bridges that gap by combining historical patterns, principles, psychology, and systems thinking to create sustainable change. As Founder of Never Tech Behind, he created The 5 Invisible Forces™, The ADAPT System™, and The Experimentation Engine™ – practical methodologies that transform both organizational structure and culture. He’s spoken across the United States, Europe, and Latin America – including London, Athens, Switzerland, and Costa Rica. His specialty: making complex technological concepts actionable for leadership teams who need results, not theory.

JGB Coaching & Consulting

Jennifer Baker is the founder of JGB Coaching & Consulting and brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development and organizational growth. Her background includes working with the Missouri Health Care Association early in her career, where she supported education and events for healthcare leaders. Jennifer partners with leaders to strengthen communication, build confidence, and create more aligned, effective workplaces. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner, and is known for her engaging, practical approach that helps participants walk away with tools they can apply immediately.

Continuum Care Hospice

Meet Jordan Drew, a seasoned nurse with over a decade of medical and long-term care experience. He has spent his entire career in the medical field starting as a Medic in the Army before transitioning into Nursing spending time at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before transitioning back into civilian life and going straight into senior care. He started as a nurse on the floor then promoted to Resident Care Manager, Director of Nursing, then Executive Director. As a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Parkinson’s Disease Care specialist, Jordan brings invaluable expertise to his presentations—offered completely free on behalf of Continuum Care Hospice.

Director of Assisted Living, WHCA

Vicki McNealley is directly responsible for supporting WHCA member assisted living providers through regulatory clarification, nurse consultation, facility system evaluation, advocacy, and education. Vicki is responsible for developing and implementing WHCA programs to support providers in these areas. As staff liaison for the Assisted Living Quality and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Vicki works with members to promote quality care and services at every level. Vicki spent ten years as the assisted living director for WHCA prior to serving as the Corporate Director of Regulatory Compliance for Village Concepts for over six years. She has extensive experience as a teacher, consultant and provider, and has been involved in assisted living operations and policy work since 1999. Vicki has served as a national award reviewer for the American Health Care Association and worked closely with the American Assisted Living Nurses Association to develop its certification exam. Vicki is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in community health nursing and a doctorate degree in nutrition.

Consolidated Billing Services, Inc.

Bill Ulrich has more than 26 years of experience in the health care industry as a financial and Medicare consultant beginning in 1989 with The Hillhaven Corporation and founding his own consulting company in 1998. Prior to founding CBSI, Bill was vice president of the consulting subsidiary of a national nursing home chain, where he directed the efforts of 43 experts who provided daily, comprehensive consulting services to 300 long term care facilities nationwide. Bill is a nationally recognized expert and frequent speaker on Medicare, Medicaid and billing issues. Bill has been Chair of the Reimbursement Committee for the Washington Health Care Association since 2015. Bill has served on the legal committee and reimbursement committee for numerous state health care associations.

Trish Tutton spent years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success. After suffering a shocking loss, she realized: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives. Trish has spent over 15 years studying with world class teachers, practicing mindfulness and learning about the science of well-being. As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to become UNSHAKABLE and THRIVE amidst change and challenge to over 15,000 people across North America. She is passionate about helping folks become more resilient and less stressed with simple but impactful mindfulness techniques. You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.

Founder/CEO, AuthentiLEAD

Dr. Jordyne Carmack is a communication strategist, educator, and Founder/CEO of AuthentiLEAD, where she provides coaching and workshops on authentic leadership, communication, and personal branding. A recognized speaker, she has presented widely, including her TEDx talk, “Embracing Authenticity in an Artificial World,” and is an Everything DiSC® Authorized Partner specializing in workplace communication and team development. She previously taught Communication Arts at the undergraduate level and now teaches doctoral courses in leadership, focusing on current trends and challenges. Dr. Carmack holds a Ph.D. in Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands and an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication from West Virginia University. She also serves as Executive Director of Leadership Tri-County and sits on the Strategic Advisory Board for the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky. An award-winning leader, she is known for advancing authentic, values-driven leadership and enjoys spending time with her family while supporting community initiatives.

Continuum Care Hospice

Meet Jordan Drew, a seasoned nurse with over a decade of medical and long-term care experience. He has spent his entire career in the medical field starting as a Medic in the Army before transitioning into Nursing spending time at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before transitioning back into civilian life and going straight into senior care. He started as a nurse on the floor then promoted to Resident Care Manager, Director of Nursing, then Executive Director. As a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Parkinson’s Disease Care specialist, Jordan brings invaluable expertise to his presentations—offered completely free on behalf of Continuum Care Hospice.

Ballard Spahr

Greg bio

Ballard Spahr

Barb bio

Ballard Spahr

Carin bio

Regional Sales Director, Tru Connection Communities

Dresden Cincurak is a senior-living sales strategist, speaker, and Regional Sales Director for True Connection Communities, where she leads multi-state teams focused on driving occupancy through relationship-based, data-driven sales execution. With a background spanning community-level sales, corporate strategy, and national consulting, Dresden is known for helping teams move beyond transactional selling into meaningful, trust-based conversations that convert. She brings deep expertise in inquiry management, discovery, tour experiences, and follow-up systems that prevent leads from falling through the cracks and turn interest into move-ins. In addition to her corporate leadership, Dresden is the founder of Depend on Dresden, a coaching brand dedicated to helping people create real, sustainable change in both their health and their lives. Dresden blends behavioral science, mindset work, and practical systems to help clients build habits that last. Whether she’s coaching a sales team or a client, Dresden is driven by one mission: helping people feel seen, supported, and confident enough to take the next right step.

Founder/CEO, AuthentiLEAD

Dr. Jordyne Carmack is a communication strategist, educator, and Founder/CEO of AuthentiLEAD, where she provides coaching and workshops on authentic leadership, communication, and personal branding. A recognized speaker, she has presented widely, including her TEDx talk, “Embracing Authenticity in an Artificial World,” and is an Everything DiSC® Authorized Partner specializing in workplace communication and team development. She previously taught Communication Arts at the undergraduate level and now teaches doctoral courses in leadership, focusing on current trends and challenges. Dr. Carmack holds a Ph.D. in Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands and an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication from West Virginia University. She also serves as Executive Director of Leadership Tri-County and sits on the Strategic Advisory Board for the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky. An award-winning leader, she is known for advancing authentic, values-driven leadership and enjoys spending time with her family while supporting community initiatives.

Areté Architecture

Mike Garrett is a Washington-licensed architect and Development Lead at Areté Architecture. He works with skilled nursing and assisted living teams to identify how spatial conditions and workflow patterns support—or hinder—care delivery, staffing efficiency, resident safety, and survey readiness. His approach is systems-based and practical: helping interdisciplinary teams spot the “workarounds” that create burnout and compliance exposure, then prioritize no-capex and low-capex countermeasures that can be implemented quickly.

Marsh McLennan Agency

Robin Bell MBA, RN, CPG is a seasoned nursing professional with over 10 years of diverse clinical experience including critical care, outpatient ambulatory management, senior living, and risk management. Currently, Robin works as a Healthcare Safety Consultant at Marsh McLennan Agency, leveraging a strong commitment to quality and safety to design and implement personalized risk management programs for her clients, thereby improving patient care and employee safety by targeting areas of growth opportunity dictated by past losses and currently identified exposures. Robin’s unique blend of clinical experience and business acumen equips her to understand the operational aspects of senior living while also connecting with frontline staff through trainings and hands-on learning. In her free time Robin enjoys the beautiful scenery of Idaho along with gardening, running, and playing games with her family.

Serengeti Care

Dr. Albert Munanga is a distinguished healthcare professional with extensive expertise in the field. He holds a doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Washington State University. Currently serving as the CEO of Serengeti Care, which operates across multiple states, Dr. Munanga also contributes as a clinical faculty member at the University of Washington’s School of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Care Informatics, aiding in the education of future healthcare leaders.

An active member of the healthcare community, Dr. Munanga has presented at a range of conferences, both at state and national levels. His passion for continuous learning is evident through his published articles in professional medical journals and his authorship of three books: “New Rules of Engagement,” “Documentation Best Practices for All Health Care Professionals,” and “Tales from the Heart of Africa.” In addition to his responsibilities, Dr. Munanga is involved in various industry organizations, serving on quality improvement committees for both the American Health Care Association and the National Centers for Assisted Living. He is a member of the Washington Health Care Association, where he influences the future of healthcare policy in the state. Dr. Munanga is a past advisory board member of the University of Washington Primary Care innovative lab and currently serves as board member at Medical Teams International.

Dr. Munanga’s significant contributions have earned him the “All-Star Risk Management” award from the Risk and Insurance Group, recognizing his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. His expertise in infectious diseases and risk management has led to extensive media coverage, appearing in notable outlets including MSNBC, The Washington Post, and the CDC and many others. With his diverse experience and commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes, Dr. Albert Munanga is a respected authority and a transformative force in the healthcare industry.

Founder, JGB Coaching & Consulting

Jennifer Baker is the founder of JGB Coaching & Consulting and brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development and organizational growth. Her background includes working with the Missouri Health Care Association early in her career, where she supported education and events for healthcare leaders. Jennifer partners with leaders to strengthen communication, build confidence, and create more aligned, effective workplaces. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner, and is known for her engaging, practical approach that helps participants walk away with tools they can apply immediately.

WA SAIL Coordinator

Cindy Jaffe is a certified SAIL Instructor, SAIL Master Trainer, and the Washington State SAIL Coordinator. She has been leading SAIL fitness classes for older adults in King County since 2020 and has trained and certified over 220 new SAIL Instructors across Washington State since 2023. In addition to her leadership in evidence-based falls-prevention and fitness, Cindy is an E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor who has been guiding older adults since 2016 in Yoga for Healthy Aging, a gentle and accessible practice designed to build strength, balance, and flexibility for body, mind, and spirit. Cindy is deeply committed to supporting the health and well-being of older adults through evidence-based movement, compassionate instruction, and community connection. When she’s not advocating for older adults and healthy aging, you will find her hiking the urban trails of Seattle with her dogs or enjoying time with family and friends.

Principal, Agile Consulting Group

Matthew Soifer currently serves as a Principal and Director of Recovery Operations. Matthew began working at Agile in 2008 as a part-time intern and since that time, has developed extensive experience within the sales and use tax consulting field with a particular focus within the healthcare industry. During that time, he has worked hundreds of recovery reviews and audits in states all across the U.S. He began his career at Agile by reviewing, analyzing and filing a large railroad’s monthly sales and use tax filings, so while Recovery is his current focus, Matt has truly experienced all sides of the sales and use tax consulting business. Matthew graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University in 2009 and received his Masters in Business Administration from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2019. He became a part-owner of Agile in 2021. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys anything related to sports, including golfing, playing tennis and rooting for his hometown Detroit sports teams.

Co-Founder & CEO, Covr

Tanner Thompson is the CEO and co-founder of Covr, a scheduling and analytics platform designed specifically for the long-term care industry. He has partnered with numerous long-term care operators to uncover operational insights that drive measurable financial impact. By analyzing large data sets, Tanner has identified key cost drivers, such as the link between missed meal breaks and overtime, and developed tools to help facilities address them. He has also guided organizations in building internal float pools across multi-facility networks as a strategic approach to reducing agency reliance.

Founder/CEO, 3 Point Care Consulting

David Posner, MBA, is a highly experienced Healthcare Workforce Advocate and a nationally recognized speaker in the field of senior care and healthcare. With over two decades of expertise in the healthcare industry, David has been instrumental in providing valuable insights and innovative solutions to address the industry’s pressing challenges. In addition to his work in healthcare, David is also an accomplished basketball official, officiating professional & college games, including Ice Cube’s Big3 league. This unique perspective has given him valuable insights into leadership and management skills. His passion for transforming healthcare is evident in his recent appearances on major platforms, including the Tedx Stage, and numerous podcasts, conferences, and webinars. David’s wealth of experience and dedication to healthcare make him a prominent figure in the industry, driving change and providing thought leadership.

Training & Development Specialist, ERNwest

Caleb Keller was raised in Kalispell, Montana and attended Montana State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English education. Calebs career in education took him all over the world; teaching everywhere from rural Montana & Wyoming to overseas in Saudi Arabia and even remote education classes in China. Caleb shifted into adult learning by accepting a position teaching Safety and Compliance for Boeing, which eventually led him to join Conduent Leadership & Safety where he continued to deliver for Boeing and its partners. Caleb now works for ERNwest as a Training & Development Specialist working with the WHCA and GRIP associations to help develop and implement safety training courses.

Areté Architecture

Mike Garrett is a Washington-licensed architect and Development Lead at Areté Architecture. He works with skilled nursing and assisted living teams to identify how spatial conditions and workflow patterns support—or hinder—care delivery, staffing efficiency, resident safety, and survey readiness. His approach is systems-based and practical: helping interdisciplinary teams spot the “workarounds” that create burnout and compliance exposure, then prioritize no-capex and low-capex countermeasures that can be implemented quickly.

Serengeti Care

Dr. Albert Munanga is a distinguished healthcare professional with extensive expertise in the field. He holds a doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Washington State University. Currently serving as the CEO of Serengeti Care, which operates across multiple states, Dr. Munanga also contributes as a clinical faculty member at the University of Washington’s School of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Care Informatics, aiding in the education of future healthcare leaders.

An active member of the healthcare community, Dr. Munanga has presented at a range of conferences, both at state and national levels. His passion for continuous learning is evident through his published articles in professional medical journals and his authorship of three books: “New Rules of Engagement,” “Documentation Best Practices for All Health Care Professionals,” and “Tales from the Heart of Africa.” In addition to his responsibilities, Dr. Munanga is involved in various industry organizations, serving on quality improvement committees for both the American Health Care Association and the National Centers for Assisted Living. He is a member of the Washington Health Care Association, where he influences the future of healthcare policy in the state. Dr. Munanga is a past advisory board member of the University of Washington Primary Care innovative lab and currently serves as board member at Medical Teams International.

Dr. Munanga’s significant contributions have earned him the “All-Star Risk Management” award from the Risk and Insurance Group, recognizing his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. His expertise in infectious diseases and risk management has led to extensive media coverage, appearing in notable outlets including MSNBC, The Washington Post, and the CDC and many others. With his diverse experience and commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes, Dr. Albert Munanga is a respected authority and a transformative force in the healthcare industry.

Director of Assisted Living, WHCA

Vicki McNealley is directly responsible for supporting WHCA member assisted living providers through regulatory clarification, nurse consultation, facility system evaluation, advocacy, and education. Vicki is responsible for developing and implementing WHCA programs to support providers in these areas. As staff liaison for the Assisted Living Quality and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Vicki works with members to promote quality care and services at every level. Vicki spent ten years as the assisted living director for WHCA prior to serving as the Corporate Director of Regulatory Compliance for Village Concepts for over six years. She has extensive experience as a teacher, consultant and provider, and has been involved in assisted living operations and policy work since 1999. Vicki has served as a national award reviewer for the American Health Care Association and worked closely with the American Assisted Living Nurses Association to develop its certification exam. Vicki is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in community health nursing and a doctorate degree in nutrition.

Government Relations Coordinator, Washington Health Care Association

Aidan serves as Government Relations Coordinator for WHCA. Aidan’s background spans from nonprofit advocacy and fundraising management to policy research and development work with the U.S. State Department. Aidan recently graduated from the University of Washington, and holds a degree in International Affairs. He is excited and honored to be working with WHCA members to drive meaningful policy change by equipping them with strategies to tell their stories and connect better with our policy instruments here in Washington. Aidan has previously worked with the state House of Representatives supporting nonpartisan research staff as a Committee Assistant with the Office or Program Research.

Public Affairs Communications Strategist

Aaron Pickus is a public affairs communications strategist with 16 years of experience spanning elected officials, corporations, ballot measures and advocacy groups. He served as spokesperson for former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and founded Pickus Communications in 2015 after supporting public affairs campaigns for AT&T and Vulcan Philanthropy at Gogerty Marriott. Aaron specializes in media strategy, crisis communications, and campaigns that drive public policy outcomes. His work spans urban development, health care, education, and regulated industries like cannabis and commercial gaming. Aaron has been honored to share his approach to public affairs as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington (where he previously earned his Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Political Science) and Seattle University. He lives in West Seattle with his wife and two kids.

President, Relentless Leadership LLC – Crestcom

Manny Martinez is the President of Relentless Leadership LLC., a Crestcom International authorized agent. Crestcom delivers interactive learning experiences in leadership and management which help people produce real business results across 60 countries and 25,000 clients.
In October 2018, Manny completed a 30-year career in the United States Air Force, reaching the summit of leadership as Chief Master Sergeant. He served military tours in the U.S., Germany, Italy and Turkey, and deployed to military operations in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan.
Manny hails from Olympia, Washington, is married to his wife Barbara and they have two children, Laura and Alessandro.

JGB Coaching & Consulting

Jennifer Baker is the founder of JGB Coaching & Consulting and brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development and organizational growth. Her background includes working with the Missouri Health Care Association early in her career, where she supported education and events for healthcare leaders. Jennifer partners with leaders to strengthen communication, build confidence, and create more aligned, effective workplaces. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner, and is known for her engaging, practical approach that helps participants walk away with tools they can apply immediately.

Trish Tutton spent years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success. After suffering a shocking loss, she realized: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives. Trish has spent over 15 years studying with world class teachers, practicing mindfulness and learning about the science of well-being. As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to become UNSHAKABLE and THRIVE amidst change and challenge to over 15,000 people across North America. She is passionate about helping folks become more resilient and less stressed with simple but impactful mindfulness techniques. You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.

Founder/CEO, AuthentiLEAD

Dr. Jordyne Carmack is a communication strategist, educator, and Founder/CEO of AuthentiLEAD, where she provides coaching and workshops on authentic leadership, communication, and personal branding. A recognized speaker, she has presented widely, including her TEDx talk, “Embracing Authenticity in an Artificial World,” and is an Everything DiSC® Authorized Partner specializing in workplace communication and team development. She previously taught Communication Arts at the undergraduate level and now teaches doctoral courses in leadership, focusing on current trends and challenges. Dr. Carmack holds a Ph.D. in Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands and an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication from West Virginia University. She also serves as Executive Director of Leadership Tri-County and sits on the Strategic Advisory Board for the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky. An award-winning leader, she is known for advancing authentic, values-driven leadership and enjoys spending time with her family while supporting community initiatives.

Founder/CEO, AuthentiLEAD

Dr. Jordyne Carmack is a communication strategist, educator, and Founder/CEO of AuthentiLEAD, where she provides coaching and workshops on authentic leadership, communication, and personal branding. A recognized speaker, she has presented widely, including her TEDx talk, “Embracing Authenticity in an Artificial World,” and is an Everything DiSC® Authorized Partner specializing in workplace communication and team development. She previously taught Communication Arts at the undergraduate level and now teaches doctoral courses in leadership, focusing on current trends and challenges. Dr. Carmack holds a Ph.D. in Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands and an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication from West Virginia University. She also serves as Executive Director of Leadership Tri-County and sits on the Strategic Advisory Board for the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky. An award-winning leader, she is known for advancing authentic, values-driven leadership and enjoys spending time with her family while supporting community initiatives.

Founder, JGB Coaching & Consulting

Jennifer Baker is the founder of JGB Coaching & Consulting and brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development and organizational growth. Her background includes working with the Missouri Health Care Association early in her career, where she supported education and events for healthcare leaders. Jennifer partners with leaders to strengthen communication, build confidence, and create more aligned, effective workplaces. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner, and is known for her engaging, practical approach that helps participants walk away with tools they can apply immediately.

Founder/CEO, 3 Point Care Consulting

David Posner, MBA, is a highly experienced Healthcare Workforce Advocate and a nationally recognized speaker in the field of senior care and healthcare. With over two decades of expertise in the healthcare industry, David has been instrumental in providing valuable insights and innovative solutions to address the industry’s pressing challenges. In addition to his work in healthcare, David is also an accomplished basketball official, officiating professional & college games, including Ice Cube’s Big3 league. This unique perspective has given him valuable insights into leadership and management skills. His passion for transforming healthcare is evident in his recent appearances on major platforms, including the Tedx Stage, and numerous podcasts, conferences, and webinars. David’s wealth of experience and dedication to healthcare make him a prominent figure in the industry, driving change and providing thought leadership.

Skin & Wound Care Specialist, United Wound Healing

Dillon has a passion to give back to the same community that helped him recover from a brain injury, Dillon is focused on the benefits and positive impacts of outstanding health care. He considers it a privilege to work in a field that is dedicated to improving patients’ lives and looks forward to helping others on a daily basis.

Skin & Wound Care Specialist, United Wound Healing

Brandy Mey is a dedicated healthcare professional with over 22 years of experience in nursing. She currently serves as the Lead Clinical Resource Nurse at United Wound Healing. Brandy specializes in wound care and holds certification as a Wound Care Associate.

Throughout Brandy’s career, she has held various roles in healthcare settings, including 14 years in Skilled Nursing where she served as a Resident Care Manager (RCM), MDS case manager, floor nurse, and quarterly assessment nurse. Her expertise in wound care has been a consistent asset to the teams they’ve worked with. With a passion for continuous learning, Brandy thrives on expanding her knowledge base in all aspects of skin and wound management. She firmly believes in the power of education to empower individuals, fostering confidence in managing skin and wound issues effectively.

Outside of the healthcare realm, Brandy finds joy in the tranquility of the foothills of Mt. Rainier in Washington. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast, and enjoys gardening, sewing, and crafting in her leisure time.

Senior Director of Partner Education, Incite Strategic Partners

Jen Bruning MS, RDN, LDN, serves as the Director of Partner Education for Incite Strategic Partners, the exclusive Group Purchasing Organization of Washington and Idaho Health Care Associations. Prior to coming to Incite, Jen spent her dietetics career in food service, in both the corporate wellness and senior living sectors helping to shape the dining experience of clients around the country. Jen has previously held the positions of professor of nutrition at Columbia College Chicago, Wellness Director & Nutrition Strategist for large national food service providers, and both clinical and food service leadership roles in a skilled nursing environment. Jen recently concluded nine years as a National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. She presents dining and nutrition-related educational content to senior living professionals on a regular basis, including the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, many AHCA/NCAL state associations, and industry groups such as ICAA.

Founder/CEO, Aegeliss

Ju Tu is the founder and CEO of Aegeliss, an accessibility-first company creating dementia-friendly products and tools that support independence, joy and connection. The visual support system and engagement activities helps people living with dementia enjoy sustained engagement and be more involved in daily routines.Prior to Aegeliss, she advised Fortune 500 companies on operations and large-scale program design. She translates complex caregiving challenges into simple, practical solutions that simplify the daily care of family and professional caregivers.

Continuum Care Hospice

Meet Jordan Drew, a seasoned nurse with over a decade of medical and long-term care experience. He has spent his entire career in the medical field starting as a Medic in the Army before transitioning into Nursing spending time at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before transitioning back into civilian life and going straight into senior care. He started as a nurse on the floor then promoted to Resident Care Manager, Director of Nursing, then Executive Director. As a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Parkinson’s Disease Care specialist, Jordan brings invaluable expertise to his presentations—offered completely free on behalf of Continuum Care Hospice.

Trish Tutton spent years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success. After suffering a shocking loss, she realized: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives. Trish has spent over 15 years studying with world class teachers, practicing mindfulness and learning about the science of well-being. As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to become UNSHAKABLE and THRIVE amidst change and challenge to over 15,000 people across North America. She is passionate about helping folks become more resilient and less stressed with simple but impactful mindfulness techniques. You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.

Continuum Care Hospice

Meet Jordan Drew, a seasoned nurse with over a decade of medical and long-term care experience. He has spent his entire career in the medical field starting as a Medic in the Army before transitioning into Nursing spending time at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before transitioning back into civilian life and going straight into senior care. He started as a nurse on the floor then promoted to Resident Care Manager, Director of Nursing, then Executive Director. As a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Parkinson’s Disease Care specialist, Jordan brings invaluable expertise to his presentations—offered completely free on behalf of Continuum Care Hospice.

Areté Architecture

Mike Garrett is a Washington-licensed architect and Development Lead at Areté Architecture. He works with skilled nursing and assisted living teams to identify how spatial conditions and workflow patterns support—or hinder—care delivery, staffing efficiency, resident safety, and survey readiness. His approach is systems-based and practical: helping interdisciplinary teams spot the “workarounds” that create burnout and compliance exposure, then prioritize no-capex and low-capex countermeasures that can be implemented quickly.

WA SAIL Coordinator

Cindy Jaffe is a certified SAIL Instructor, SAIL Master Trainer, and the Washington State SAIL Coordinator. She has been leading SAIL fitness classes for older adults in King County since 2020 and has trained and certified over 220 new SAIL Instructors across Washington State since 2023. In addition to her leadership in evidence-based falls-prevention and fitness, Cindy is an E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor who has been guiding older adults since 2016 in Yoga for Healthy Aging, a gentle and accessible practice designed to build strength, balance, and flexibility for body, mind, and spirit. Cindy is deeply committed to supporting the health and well-being of older adults through evidence-based movement, compassionate instruction, and community connection. When she’s not advocating for older adults and healthy aging, you will find her hiking the urban trails of Seattle with her dogs or enjoying time with family and friends.

Training & Development Specialist, ERNwest

Caleb Keller was raised in Kalispell, Montana and attended Montana State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English education. Calebs career in education took him all over the world; teaching everywhere from rural Montana & Wyoming to overseas in Saudi Arabia and even remote education classes in China. Caleb shifted into adult learning by accepting a position teaching Safety and Compliance for Boeing, which eventually led him to join Conduent Leadership & Safety where he continued to deliver for Boeing and its partners. Caleb now works for ERNwest as a Training & Development Specialist working with the WHCA and GRIP associations to help develop and implement safety training courses.

Director of Assisted Living, Washington Health Care Association

Vicki McNealley is directly responsible for supporting WHCA member assisted living providers through regulatory clarification, nurse consultation, facility system evaluation, advocacy, and education. Vicki is responsible for developing and implementing WHCA programs to support providers in these areas. As staff liaison for the Assisted Living Quality and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Vicki works with members to promote quality care and services at every level.

Vicki spent ten years as the assisted living director for WHCA prior to serving as the Corporate Director of Regulatory Compliance for Village Concepts for over six years. She has extensive experience as a teacher, consultant and provider, and has been involved in assisted living operations and policy work since 1999. Vicki has served as a national award reviewer for the American Health Care Association and worked closely with the American Assisted Living Nurses Association to develop its certification exam. Vicki is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in community health nursing and a doctorate degree in nutrition.

Regional Manager, Midwest QIN-QIO

Nina Sanderson, Regional Manager for Nursing Homes, will provide an introduction to the Midwest Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) program. This is a comprehensive quality improvement program that helps nursing homes improve quality of care while meeting regulatory requirements. Our experienced healthcare quality improvement advisors provide direct technical assistance and resources, advanced data and analytics support, evidence-based intervention recommendations and customized training and education to eligible nursing homes at no cost. The QIN-QIO program has just entered its 13th Statement of Work (SOW), which allows for customization to meet each provider’s quality improvement needs. This SOW will continue until 2030, and includes Health Information Technology, Disease Prevention, Patient Safety, Behavioral Health, Emergency Preparedness, Care Coordination, and Workforce Challenges.

Gombosky Consulting

Jeff Gombosky has multiple decades of expertise in Washington State politics. His firm combines strong bipartisan relationships with substantive technical experience in issues including taxation, health care, transportation, consumer products, education, and technology.

President & CEO, WHCA

Carma Matti-Jackson is the president and chief executive officer of the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA). In this capacity, Carma oversees the management, operations, and strategic direction of WHCA. She holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’ in public relations from Pacific Lutheran University.

Carma has worked in areas of Washington State public and fiscal policy since 2004. Before taking on her current role, Carma worked as a private consultant on behalf of stakeholders in the development of a new Skilled Nursing Facility Medicaid payment system that was adopted in statute in 2016 and a new Assisted Living Medicaid payment system that was adopted in statute in 2018. She also represented WHCA by staffing a subcommittee of the Washington State Nursing Commission’s Long-term Care Workforce Committee and was instrumental in developing data-driven storytelling that has brought long term care workforce issues to the forefront. Her background includes twelve years of public service for the state of Washington, seven of which were served as non-partisan senior fiscal staff for the Washington State Legislature.

EVP, Communications & Government Relations, WHCA

Lauri St. Ours is the Executive Vice President for Government Relations for WHCA. In this capacity, she is responsible for oversight of state government affairs, working with the CEO and association leadership to determine legislative and policy priorities for WHCA’s skilled nursing and assisted living members. In addition to supporting the Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facility Reimbursement Committees, Lauri manages to the WHCA political action committee and oversees grassroots engagement and legislative communication strategies.

As a troubleshooter and problem-solver, Lauri values strong collegial relationships with legislators and staff, state agency leaders and other stakeholders who have oversight and engagement in long term care issues. Lauri has nearly 30 years of experience working with the Washington State Legislature. Prior to joining the staff of WHCA in 2005, she served as the executive director of the Northwest Assisted Living Facilities Association for ten years. Early in her career, Lauri also worked in K-12 education advocacy in her positions with the Washington School Administrators Association and the Washington State School Directors Association.

Government Relations Coordinator, Washington Health Care Association

Aidan serves as Government Relations Coordinator for WHCA. Aidan’s background spans from nonprofit advocacy and fundraising management to policy research and development work with the U.S. State Department. Aidan recently graduated from the University of Washington, and holds a degree in International Affairs. He is excited and honored to be working with WHCA members to drive meaningful policy change by equipping them with strategies to tell their stories and connect better with our policy instruments here in Washington. Aidan has previously worked with the state House of Representatives supporting nonpartisan research staff as a Committee Assistant with the Office or Program Research.

Director of Assisted Living, WHCA

Vicki McNealley is directly responsible for supporting WHCA member assisted living providers through regulatory clarification, nurse consultation, facility system evaluation, advocacy, and education. Vicki is responsible for developing and implementing WHCA programs to support providers in these areas. As staff liaison for the Assisted Living Quality and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Vicki works with members to promote quality care and services at every level. Vicki spent ten years as the assisted living director for WHCA prior to serving as the Corporate Director of Regulatory Compliance for Village Concepts for over six years. She has extensive experience as a teacher, consultant and provider, and has been involved in assisted living operations and policy work since 1999. Vicki has served as a national award reviewer for the American Health Care Association and worked closely with the American Assisted Living Nurses Association to develop its certification exam. Vicki is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in community health nursing and a doctorate degree in nutrition.

Trish Tutton spent years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success. After suffering a shocking loss, she realized: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives. Trish has spent over 15 years studying with world class teachers, practicing mindfulness and learning about the science of well-being. As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to become UNSHAKABLE and THRIVE amidst change and challenge to over 15,000 people across North America. She is passionate about helping folks become more resilient and less stressed with simple but impactful mindfulness techniques. You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.

Ballard Spahr

Greg bio

Ballard Spahr

Barb bio

Ballard Spahr

Carin bio

Marsh McLennan Agency

Robin Bell MBA, RN, CPG is a seasoned nursing professional with over 10 years of diverse clinical experience including critical care, outpatient ambulatory management, senior living, and risk management. Currently, Robin works as a Healthcare Safety Consultant at Marsh McLennan Agency, leveraging a strong commitment to quality and safety to design and implement personalized risk management programs for her clients, thereby improving patient care and employee safety by targeting areas of growth opportunity dictated by past losses and currently identified exposures. Robin’s unique blend of clinical experience and business acumen equips her to understand the operational aspects of senior living while also connecting with frontline staff through trainings and hands-on learning. In her free time Robin enjoys the beautiful scenery of Idaho along with gardening, running, and playing games with her family.

Principal, Agile Consulting Group

Matthew Soifer currently serves as a Principal and Director of Recovery Operations. Matthew began working at Agile in 2008 as a part-time intern and since that time, has developed extensive experience within the sales and use tax consulting field with a particular focus within the healthcare industry. During that time, he has worked hundreds of recovery reviews and audits in states all across the U.S. He began his career at Agile by reviewing, analyzing and filing a large railroad’s monthly sales and use tax filings, so while Recovery is his current focus, Matt has truly experienced all sides of the sales and use tax consulting business. Matthew graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University in 2009 and received his Masters in Business Administration from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2019. He became a part-owner of Agile in 2021. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys anything related to sports, including golfing, playing tennis and rooting for his hometown Detroit sports teams.

Areté Architecture

Mike Garrett is a Washington-licensed architect and Development Lead at Areté Architecture. He works with skilled nursing and assisted living teams to identify how spatial conditions and workflow patterns support—or hinder—care delivery, staffing efficiency, resident safety, and survey readiness. His approach is systems-based and practical: helping interdisciplinary teams spot the “workarounds” that create burnout and compliance exposure, then prioritize no-capex and low-capex countermeasures that can be implemented quickly.

Regional Sales Director, True Connection Communities

Dresden Cincurak is a senior-living sales strategist, speaker, and Regional Sales Director for True Connection Communities, where she leads multi-state teams focused on driving occupancy through relationship-based, data-driven sales execution. With a background spanning community-level sales, corporate strategy, and national consulting, Dresden is known for helping teams move beyond transactional selling into meaningful, trust-based conversations that convert. She brings deep expertise in inquiry management, discovery, tour experiences, and follow-up systems that prevent leads from falling through the cracks and turn interest into move-ins.

In addition to her corporate leadership, Dresden is the founder of Depend on Dresden, a coaching brand dedicated to helping people create real, sustainable change in both their health and their lives. Dresden blends behavioral science, mindset work, and practical systems to help clients build habits that last. Whether she’s coaching a sales team or a client, Dresden is driven by one mission: helping people feel seen, supported, and confident enough to take the next right step.

Director, WA Board of Nursing

Reuben Sangco Argel, born in Manila, Philippines, earned a BS in Nursing from George Mason University in 1997, completed a Critical Care Fellowship at Washington Hospital Center in 1998, and later received an MBA from Hawaii Pacific University in 2005, along with certification in Surgical Services Management. Fluent in Tagalog, he was directly commissioned into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1999 and completed extensive military education across leadership, medical, and operational disciplines.

He has held numerous leadership and clinical roles, including Deputy Commander for Joint Task Force Medical-Afghanistan (2018–2019) and service during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait (2008–2009), along with key positions in nursing, operations, and command across multiple units and medical centers. His military honors include the Bronze Star Medal, multiple Meritorious Service and Commendation Medals, and the Combat Action Badge.

Argel lives in University Place, Washington, with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys family time, martial arts, and football, and has worked across all levels of nursing leadership. He currently serves as Director for Nursing Assistant Education at the Washington State Department of Health.

Founder, Never Tech Behind

Jordache Johnson is an international keynote speaker and AI adoption strategist. He studies how breakthrough technologies throughout history actually get adopted by people and organizations. Most AI implementations fail because they focus on technology instead of people and systems. He bridges that gap by combining historical patterns, principles, psychology, and systems thinking to create sustainable change. As Founder of Never Tech Behind, he created The 5 Invisible Forces™, The ADAPT System™, and The Experimentation Engine™ – practical methodologies that transform both organizational structure and culture. He’s spoken across the United States, Europe, and Latin America – including London, Athens, Switzerland, and Costa Rica. His specialty: making complex technological concepts actionable for leadership teams who need results, not theory.

Consolidated Billing Services, Inc.

Bill Ulrich has more than 26 years of experience in the health care industry as a financial and Medicare consultant beginning in 1989 with The Hillhaven Corporation and founding his own consulting company in 1998. Prior to founding CBSI, Bill was vice president of the consulting subsidiary of a national nursing home chain, where he directed the efforts of 43 experts who provided daily, comprehensive consulting services to 300 long term care facilities nationwide. Bill is a nationally recognized expert and frequent speaker on Medicare, Medicaid and billing issues. Bill has been Chair of the Reimbursement Committee for the Washington Health Care Association since 2015. Bill has served on the legal committee and reimbursement committee for numerous state health care associations.

Trish Tutton spent years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success. After suffering a shocking loss, she realized: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives. Trish has spent over 15 years studying with world class teachers, practicing mindfulness and learning about the science of well-being. As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to become UNSHAKABLE and THRIVE amidst change and challenge to over 15,000 people across North America. She is passionate about helping folks become more resilient and less stressed with simple but impactful mindfulness techniques. You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.

Regional Sales Director, Tru Connection Communities

Dresden Cincurak is a senior-living sales strategist, speaker, and Regional Sales Director for True Connection Communities, where she leads multi-state teams focused on driving occupancy through relationship-based, data-driven sales execution. With a background spanning community-level sales, corporate strategy, and national consulting, Dresden is known for helping teams move beyond transactional selling into meaningful, trust-based conversations that convert. She brings deep expertise in inquiry management, discovery, tour experiences, and follow-up systems that prevent leads from falling through the cracks and turn interest into move-ins. In addition to her corporate leadership, Dresden is the founder of Depend on Dresden, a coaching brand dedicated to helping people create real, sustainable change in both their health and their lives. Dresden blends behavioral science, mindset work, and practical systems to help clients build habits that last. Whether she’s coaching a sales team or a client, Dresden is driven by one mission: helping people feel seen, supported, and confident enough to take the next right step.

Serengeti Care

Dr. Albert Munanga is a distinguished healthcare professional with extensive expertise in the field. He holds a doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Washington State University. Currently serving as the CEO of Serengeti Care, which operates across multiple states, Dr. Munanga also contributes as a clinical faculty member at the University of Washington’s School of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Care Informatics, aiding in the education of future healthcare leaders.

An active member of the healthcare community, Dr. Munanga has presented at a range of conferences, both at state and national levels. His passion for continuous learning is evident through his published articles in professional medical journals and his authorship of three books: “New Rules of Engagement,” “Documentation Best Practices for All Health Care Professionals,” and “Tales from the Heart of Africa.” In addition to his responsibilities, Dr. Munanga is involved in various industry organizations, serving on quality improvement committees for both the American Health Care Association and the National Centers for Assisted Living. He is a member of the Washington Health Care Association, where he influences the future of healthcare policy in the state. Dr. Munanga is a past advisory board member of the University of Washington Primary Care innovative lab and currently serves as board member at Medical Teams International.

Dr. Munanga’s significant contributions have earned him the “All-Star Risk Management” award from the Risk and Insurance Group, recognizing his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. His expertise in infectious diseases and risk management has led to extensive media coverage, appearing in notable outlets including MSNBC, The Washington Post, and the CDC and many others. With his diverse experience and commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes, Dr. Albert Munanga is a respected authority and a transformative force in the healthcare industry.

Co-Founder & CEO, Covr

Tanner Thompson is the CEO and co-founder of Covr, a scheduling and analytics platform designed specifically for the long-term care industry. He has partnered with numerous long-term care operators to uncover operational insights that drive measurable financial impact. By analyzing large data sets, Tanner has identified key cost drivers, such as the link between missed meal breaks and overtime, and developed tools to help facilities address them. He has also guided organizations in building internal float pools across multi-facility networks as a strategic approach to reducing agency reliance.

Serengeti Care

Dr. Albert Munanga is a distinguished healthcare professional with extensive expertise in the field. He holds a doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Washington State University. Currently serving as the CEO of Serengeti Care, which operates across multiple states, Dr. Munanga also contributes as a clinical faculty member at the University of Washington’s School of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Care Informatics, aiding in the education of future healthcare leaders.

An active member of the healthcare community, Dr. Munanga has presented at a range of conferences, both at state and national levels. His passion for continuous learning is evident through his published articles in professional medical journals and his authorship of three books: “New Rules of Engagement,” “Documentation Best Practices for All Health Care Professionals,” and “Tales from the Heart of Africa.” In addition to his responsibilities, Dr. Munanga is involved in various industry organizations, serving on quality improvement committees for both the American Health Care Association and the National Centers for Assisted Living. He is a member of the Washington Health Care Association, where he influences the future of healthcare policy in the state. Dr. Munanga is a past advisory board member of the University of Washington Primary Care innovative lab and currently serves as board member at Medical Teams International.

Dr. Munanga’s significant contributions have earned him the “All-Star Risk Management” award from the Risk and Insurance Group, recognizing his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. His expertise in infectious diseases and risk management has led to extensive media coverage, appearing in notable outlets including MSNBC, The Washington Post, and the CDC and many others. With his diverse experience and commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes, Dr. Albert Munanga is a respected authority and a transformative force in the healthcare industry.