In the last few years, the healthcare industry has experienced a record number of MA&A among specialty provider organizations serving consumers with complex conditions due to three key factors: enhanced attention on private equity platforms, greater payer focus on value-based care, and large quantities of corporate investment cash.
As organizations fight to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market and rapidly shifting marketplace, many executives from specialty provider organizations are wondering if pursuing merger, acquisition, and affiliation (MA&A) could be their best option for long-term growth and sustainability.
The OPEN MINDS Growth Strategy Learning Path was created to equip today’s leaders with big picture understanding of investment trends, critical insights on MA&A as a growth strategy, and the invaluable first-hand experience of executives and investors who know the ins and outs of MA&A in the specialty health care space.
View featured courses and sessions below to get started!
Improving Consumer Experience: The 2026Â OPEN MINDSÂ Executive Seminar On Creating Better Engagement & Increasing Revenue
Sponsored By: 
Much focus has been on digital strategies for health and human service organizations. A post-pandemic strategy involves a multi-pronged technology-driven approach that leads to streamlining processes and higher performance. While the pandemic has accelerated the use of technology to support consumer access, using a technology strategy to assure business success goes beyond a consumer digital interface. This seminar will focus on the eight dimensions of digital transformation and provide a road map for executive teams to integrate and incorporate their entire organization. Attendees will gain insights into a digital-first approach focused on consumer experience, organizational efficiency, resiliency, growth, and sustainability. Key objectives include:
- A road map for digital-first evolution and what it means to be a digital-first organization
- The eight dimensions of a digital-first framework for quality and performance
- Critical organizational competencies needed for leading-edge technology transformation
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Giving Client Engagement A True Home At Christian Children’s Home Of Ohio
Part of the Consumer Experience Seminar
At Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO), client engagement wasn’t struggling because of a lack of effort or commitment — it was operating within a highly complex environment. With many teams, systems, and handoffs in play, it wasn’t always clear what came next—slowing progress across intake, documentation, communication, and billing. When intake, documentation, communication, and billing span multiple teams and systems, even simple questions can slow progress if answers aren’t easy to find. Staff and leaders frequently found themselves asking: Is this ready to go to the client? Did the client receive it? Who owns the next step?
In this session, Tonia Hanshaw shares how CCHO stepped back and realized the work was getting done — just across too many disconnected tools and workarounds. Rather than adding another system, CCHO focused on giving client engagement a true home by anchoring it directly to their Qualifacts EHR. With the Client Engagement Suite, CCHO extended existing workflows, replaced assumptions with visibility from intake through billing, and developed clear, intentional engagement with its clients.
The result is a more confident, predictable client experience — and a quieter, more trusted operational environment. Staff isn’t left guessing, clients engage at the right time with the right context, and leadership doesn’t have to investigate or intervene to keep things moving. This session offers a practical, real‑world look at the value of consolidating client engagement into the same ecosystem as your EHR — and what changes when engagement finally has a place to live.
Sharon Hicks, MSW, MBA
Sharon Hicks has more than 30 years of experience in the health and human service field. She has extensive experience and wide range of expertise in health plan management, in clinical operations management, and technology.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Hicks spent two decades in a number of executive positions within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) system and within its health plan division. Ms. Hicks served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization. She was responsible for all aspects of the organization’s operations including fiscal, information systems, the claims processing department, and the design of clinical systems. In addition Ms. Hicks managed the day-to-day operations of including human resources, facilities, purchasing, and security.
Ms. Hicks also served as the Vice President, Internet Strategy, UPMC Insurance Services Division and, since 2002, as the Chief Executive Officer of Askesis Development Group, Inc. since May of 2002. In this role, Ms. Hicks was responsible for the growth of the company, profitability of the company, and the direction of software development.
Ms. Hick started her impressive health care career as a psychiatric social worker before being promoted to Assistant Director of Social Work. Prior to her executive promotions, Ms. Hicks served as a Clinical Administrator for both Ambulatory Services and Emergency and Intake Services at the UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. In this role, Ms. Hicks managed the behavioral health division, the budgets for all departments, and implemented new software replacing paper billing for clinical services.
Ms. Hicks received both her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Social Work degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Before pursuing her graduate education, Ms. Hicks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Tonia Hanshaw
Tonia Hanshaw, Special Projects Manager at Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO), has been a dedicated employee since June 2007. Initially hired to spearhead the credentialing of the agency’s clinical providers with commercial insurance companies, Tonia transitioned into the role of Assistant Director of Finance. In 2016, she took the lead in the agency’s implementation of Qualifacts’ CareLogic EHR. Recognizing the demands of this critical project, Tonia moved into her current role as Special Projects Manager, allowing her to focus on the ongoing development and optimization of the EHR. Building on her commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced care, Tonia led the 2023 implementation of Qualifacts Client Experience Solutions (formerly OnCall). In 2024, her proactive approach led CCHO to participate in Qualifacts® iQ Beta team, and she continues to drive the adoption of the product across the agency’s provider network.
MA&A Strategy For A Shifting Market: The 2026 OPEN MINDS Seminar On Planning & Succeeding In Increasing Scale
How big is big enough for your organization to sustain talent, market reach, and financial resources? In deciding the right path for staying competitive in the constantly shifting health and human services marketplace, many executives from specialty provider organizations are pursuing merger, acquisition, and affiliation (MA&A) strategies. In the last few years, the field has experienced a record number of MA&A among specialty provider organizations serving consumers with complex conditions. Join us for this information-packed seminar examining growth strategies and successful implementation plans from previous combinations and collaborations occurring in the health and human services field. Learn how to position your organization for sustainability and growth as we move forward into the “post-pandemic” world.
This seminar will focus on:
- Designing an effective strategy for growth and scale
- Assessing the options for growth – from investors to mergers
- Identifying prospective organizational partners
- Overcoming the challenges to create successful collaborations
Ray Wolfe, J.D.
Raymond “Ray” Wolfe, J.D. brings over 40 years of experience in the health and human services sector to the OPEN MINDS team. Mr. Wolfe currently serves as a Senior Associate, a position in which he utilizes his expertise to successfully lead varying projects for OPEN MINDS. His areas of expertise include financial analysis and management, mergers and acquisitions, performance improvement, and strategic planning.
Before joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Wolfe served in a 22 year tenure with Pittsburgh Mercy Health System in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently, Mr. Wolfe served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) where he was responsible for oversight of all system operations, strategic planning, and performance management. Under his direction Pittsburgh Mercy achieved over $850K in value-based reimbursement contract quality bonus awards, integrated three organizations through merger/acquisition, and adopted a new performance management program for managers.
Before acting as Pittsburgh Mercy’s COO, Mr. Wolfe served as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and was responsible for the development of internal costing methodologies, contract rate negotiations, and financial forecasting activities. In addition, he coordinated an integrated care program with local partner hospitals to develop a series of diversion and respite programs, as well as, specialized primary care, integrated care management and high utilizer teams, while maintaining 15 straight years profitability.
Mr. Wolfe was promoted to CFO after serving as the Director of Fiscal and Information Security/Compliance for the health system. In this role, he was responsible for managing the transition of service contracts from fee-for-service (FFS), leading all compliance activities, and implementing a next generation electronic health record (EHR) system.
Prior to his time at Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, Mr. Wolfe served as Chief Fiscal Officer with the Summit Center for Human Development in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he was responsible for reporting and budgeting functions and preparing Summit Center’s programs for FFS billing.
Previously, Mr. Wolfe served in billing and collections for two Pennsylvania-based hospitals. First, as an Accounts Receivables Manager for Brownsville General Hospital in Brownsville, PA, where he managed the accounting and billing system transition systems. Later as a Patient Account Manager for St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA, where he improved collections to hit 95% rate through the implementation of new billing software and department reorganization.
Prior to working in the health and human services market, Mr. Wolfe spent five years practicing as a Lawyer with at Law Offices of Arch A. Moore in Moundsville, WV. In this role he provided general legal practice, created and established bylaws for multiple corporation, and handled West Virginia licensing of first vision insurance plan.
Mr. Wolfe earned his Juris Doctor from the West Virginia University School of Law in Morgantown, WV and his Bachelor’s degree with a focus in Political Science and Sociology from West Liberty University, in Wheeling, WV, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Inside The Payer View: The Future Of Addiction Treatment Service Delivery
As addiction treatment evolves, so do the expectations, innovations, and strategic priorities of the nation’s leading payers. Join Debra Nussbaum, Senior Director, Behavioral Health Evidence Based Services, and National SUD Strategy Lead for Optum, and Monica Oss, Chief Executive Officer of OPEN MINDS, in this fireside chat as they discuss the newest developments shaping service delivery for substance use disorder care—from value-based payment models and quality measurement, to network design, care coordination, digital solutions, and member engagement strategies that drive outcomes.
Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how payers are redefining best practices to expand access, improve continuity of care, and strengthen accountability across the addiction treatment ecosystem. Understand what providers need to know, what changes are on the horizon, and how to align clinical, operational, and financial strategies to succeed in a payer-driven landscape.
Breaking Into The Crisis Market: Success Stories On Growing Local Crisis Services
The gap between local demand and local supply of behavioral health crisis services is large and growing. As communities around the country grapple with over-crowded emergency rooms and under-resourced first responders, many organizations are launching new or expanded crisis mobile teams, crisis stabilization facilities and crisis call centers to meet local needs.
During this session, discover:
- Strategies for designing crisis service programs to address unique community needs
- Creating dynamic partnerships with first responders and other community stakeholders to support local crisis e programs
- Innovative funding sources for crisis service development and delivery
Anthony Grimaldi
Anthony Grimaldi, is a behavioral healthcare executive with over 29 years of experience in the designing, building, and operating of multi-site healthcare facilities. He is also widely known for his skills in strategic planning. He has comprehensive experience with revenue cycle management, operational budget and revenue modeling, clinical implementation programming, and a working knowledge of state and federal licensing and accreditation agencies including CARF, DNV, TJC, URAC, NCQA, OASAS, OMH, and DOH. Anthony has extensive experience managing numerous accreditation projects nationwide with each facility granted approval accreditation during the first survey. Additionally, Mr. Grimaldi has developed and managed multi-million-dollar budgets, formulated corporate-wide strategic plans, developed and implemented quality improvement programs, and implemented EMR (including EPIC) systems for numerous large organizations. As a passionate servant leader, he integrates throughout his work, thought and change leadership principles alongside situational leadership theory, allowing him to faithfully remain both mission and margin focused. His passion is to work within a team model, develop strategic plans, and provide the resources necessary for a successful business. Anthony holds a masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University, and a bachelors degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Anthony is a member of the NCHA, NC MCO Provider Council, Robeson County Substance Awareness Task Force, and i2i Center for Integrative Health.
Integrated Care In Action: Lessons From Multi-Service I/DD, MH & SUD Providers
As individuals with I/DD present with increasingly complex behavioral and substance use needs, integrated service models are becoming essential. This session features real-world case studies from organizations delivering both I/DD, MH or SUD services under one operational and clinical framework. Presenters will discuss lessons learned, barriers to integration, regulatory considerations, and measurable outcomes, offering executives practical insights into scaling integrated care while maintaining quality, compliance and financial viability.
Kelley Krueger, Ph.D., BCBA
Afm Z. Haque, M.D., MPH
Leaving The Emergency Room Behind: Innovative Programs For Youth
Emergency departments are seeing record numbers of children and adolescents in behavioral health crisis—often waiting hours or even days for appropriate care. Yet many of these youth could be safely and effectively treated in less restrictive, more therapeutic environments.
This session explores how health care organizations and community partners are building behavioral health crisis diversion programs that reroute young people from hospital emergency rooms to the right level of care at the right time. Case studies will showcase successful models for creating a continuum of care designed specifically for children and youth.
During this session, attendees will:
- Discover key components of an effective crisis service continuum for young people.
- Evaluate operational and staffing considerations unique to youth crisis services
- Identify partnership and funding strategies to support community-based crisis alternatives to ED care.
Jennifer Craig, MA, MS, LPC, LCPC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Jennifer Craig, MA, MS, LPC, LCPC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, serves as President and CEO of ReDiscover, an innovative Certified Community Behavioral Health Organization dedicated to serving individuals and families throughout Jackson County, Missouri, in the Kansas City metropolitan region.
With more than 30 years of leadership and clinical experience in behavioral health, Jennifer has worked in community-based, residential, and outpatient settings as both a therapist and senior administrator. Her career reflects a deep commitment to expanding access to high-quality mental health services while strengthening organizational excellence.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University, her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and her Master of Science in Organization and Management with a specialization in Human Resource Management from Capella University. She is licensed as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. In addition, she holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and the Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credentials, reflecting her dual expertise in clinical leadership and organizational strategy.
A dedicated community leader, Jennifer serves on numerous boards and commissions. She is Chair of the Lee’s Summit Wellness Commission, Chair of CommCARE, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Metro Council of Community Behavioral Health Centers. She also serves on the following boards: Missouri Behavioral Health Council, the Greater Lee’s Summit Healthcare Foundation, the Lee’s Summit Civic Roundtable, Pro Deo Youth Center, and St. Luke’s Hospital Crittenton Children’s Center.
Previously, Jennifer served on the board of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health and the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce. She is a former member of the Illinois Counseling Association’s Governing Council and Past President of its Lewis and Clark Chapter. Her professional affiliations include Mental Health Corporations of America, OPEN MINDS, the Society for Human Resource Management, and Rotary International.
Through her integrated expertise in clinical care, executive leadership, and human capital strategy, Jennifer is recognized for advancing sustainable behavioral health systems and fostering strong community partnerships.
Improving Access & Outcomes For The Underinsured Through Subscription-Based Care
My Community Health Network (MyCHN) is bringing services to the uninsured and underinsured populations through their My Concierge Access Model (MCA), a low-cost, monthly subscription-based program. Designed for underinsured populations, including those on Medicaid, Medicare, and high-risk patients, the program provides care within 24-48 hours for a low monthly fee. With over 1,000 members, MyCHN is seeing improved outcomes for patients as they are provided affordable, comprehensive health care, including virtual medical services, mental health counseling, dental services, and whole person care through the program.
My Community Health Network is a non-profit organization headquartered in Houston, Texas, with 15 locations and serving 44,000 patients a year. They provide whole person care, including women’s health, pediatrics, remote monitoring, home health, medical, behavioral, and dental care. Join this session to discover an innovative program designed to bring much needed services to more individuals.
Mark Young
Yvette Poindexter, M.D., FACOG, MBA
Linh Tran, CPA, 340B ACE, CMPE, CHA, CIFHA, MS
Demi Minter, LPC-S, LCDC
From Strategy To Action: How Organizations Are Moving Their Strategic Plan From Paper To Performance
Too often, organizational strategic plans sit on a shelf until the next planning cycle rolls around. In this session, discover how organizations are going beyond strategic planning 101 and “owning” the entire strategy analysis, development and implementation process. Learn the secrets to driving toward your organization’s North Star in spite of shifting healthcare policies, market disruptions and funding changes.
During this session, attendees will hear real-world case studies from leaders who seized the reins and moved beyond basic strategic planning to create a vibrant vision and action plan for their organization’s future.
Jeanne Marshall, M.Ed, MA, BCBA, LBA
Jeanne Marshall has been affiliated with the Easterseals Midwest organization since 1987 when she began volunteering and working as a classroom assistant. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a Master’s degree in Special Education in 1991. She served in a variety of program roles prior to becoming the Director of the Training Program in 1997. In 2004, Jeanne was appointed as Chief Program Officer for and continued in that role until 2024 when she was appointed President. In 2004, she completed a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from The University of Nevada and is a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst. She also holds teaching certifications in Special Education for Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders.
Jeanne has served for more than 15 years as a surveyor for CARF International , a not for profit organization that reviews and grants accreditation for organizations providing services in the industry. She has served on the Board of Directors for St. Bridget of Kildare School, The Association for Aging With Developmental Disabilities, the Missouri Association for Behavior Analysis, and The Autism Collective. She currently serves on the Missouri Autism Commission and the Starling Board of Directors.
Justin Chase, LMSW, MBA, FACHE
Justin is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in crisis systems, recovery-oriented systems of care, peer integration, non-profit organizational leadership and development. His expertise also includes developing sustainable, effective and efficient healthcare programs and systems. He has served as a behavioral health administrator, executive, network/program developer, direct practitioner and project manager within the public behavioral health and child welfare system for more than 15 years.
Justin earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Social Work from Arizona State University and holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. Justin is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Arizona, Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Certified Peer Support Specialist in the State of Arizona, Certified Crisis Interventionist by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Fellow with the National Center for Crisis Management and the American College of Healthcare Executives. Justin also serves on the International Council for Helplines Board of Directors.
Medicaid Innovation For Autism & I/DD: 1115 Waivers, Emerging Models & Funding-Driven Change
Medicaid policy continues to be a primary driver of innovation in I/DD services. This session examines new and experimental Medicaid waivers, with a particular focus on Section 1115 demonstrations and their impact on care models, funding structures, and service integration. Presenters will review current waiver activity, early results, and state-level trends, helping executives understand how funding mechanisms are shaping the future of I/DD services and where strategic opportunities may exist.
Janet Butler
Janet Butler has developed and led residential and individualized support programs for over 35 years, primarily with Community Systems, where she is the CEO and President. Her innovative thinking and dedication to the discovery of each person’s definition of their own happiness have led to scores of remarkable success stories, most notably with persons considered too challenging to ever enjoy community success or live independently.
Ms. Butler received her degree in nursing and later a BS in Nonprofit Management from Skidmore College. She was the Executive Director of Community Systems, Inc. in Massachusetts for more than 20 years, starting the operations and growing the organization to support 250 individuals with more than 350 staff.
Janet assumed the role of CEO upon the retirement of the founders at CSI, who had filled their roles for more than 30 years. Prior to this role, she worked as a nurse in acute care and helped develop one of the first hospice services in southeastern Massachusetts when it was strictly charity responsibility.
Community Systems, Inc. is a group of nonprofit organizations providing support to persons with disabilities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia, and Delaware. The organization operates primarily in the ID/DD but also provides brain injury services, including to disabled veterans. For the last 15 years, the primary focus of her role has been to help build leaders.
Stacey Dixon, Ph.D., MHA
Building Scale, Stability & Strategic Advantage Through MA&A
Mergers, acquisitions and affiliations have become essential tools for organizations seeking sustainable growth, operational resilience, and long-term impact. This session explores how health care executives can use MA&A not only as a growth mechanism, but as a strategic lever to build scale, strengthen clinical and operational sustainability, and position their organizations for future success.
Case studies will examine how to align MA&A strategy with mission, culture, and patient outcomes, while navigating market volatility and regulatory complexity. Attendees will gain practical insights into identifying the right opportunities, assessing strategic fit, and integrating organizations in ways that preserve quality of care and accelerate performance.
Key takeaways include:
- A framework for using MA&A to drive competitive advantage and expand service capabilities
- How to identify the right opportunities and create a durable organization that is prepared to thrive in a dynamic market
- Best practices for integrating organizations while still maintaining mission and culture without sacrificing outcomes
Bev Johnson, MHA, MS
Ms. Johnson is a dedicated healthcare leader with a diverse academic and professional background. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Florida, as well as a Master of Science in Physiology from San Diego State University. Throughout her career, Ms. Johnson has worked in both for-profit and nonprofit healthcare environments, ultimately discovering her passion for advocating on behalf of individuals with complex needs.
A servant leader at heart, Ms. Johnson is driven by the belief that meaningful change happens one person, one community at a time. She excels in developing innovative programs and thrives on the possibility of transformative impact. Known as a calculated risk-taker, she believes that true progress requires challenging boundaries and thinking beyond conventional limits.
As President and CEO of Easterseals, Ms. Johnson is responsible for setting the organization’s vision and developing the strategies necessary to achieve its goals. She leads with a collaborative approach, working closely with a volunteer Board of Directors and playing an active leadership role in the broader community. Ms. Johnson is also passionate about building strong, impactful partnerships and empowering teams to drive success.
Looking Towards The Horizon: How Magellan Health Is Advancing Behavioral Health Through Clinical Innovation
Leaders at Magellan Health are looking to the future as the organization transitions to an independent managed behavioral health care organization. In this keynote, Dr. Steven Pratt, Chief Medical Officer of Magellan Health, will share how the company plans to expand its clinical services into new markets with enhanced technology, AI, data and analytical solutions, providing quality access to care to more communities. Discover how Magellan is continuing to focus on whole person care, excellent customer service, and collaborating more effectively with providers to improve outcomes for complex populations.
Steven Pratt, M.D.
Making Mergers Work: Integration For Financial & Operational Success
M&A success depends on what happens after the deal closes. Learn key principles of post-merger integration—from financial harmonization and governance to culture, staffing, and communication planning.
Paul Duck
Paul M. Duck brings over 25 years of experience in leadership and management focusing on managed care, health information technology organizations, strategy, business development, and market expansion, and customer experience optimization to the OPEN MINDS team.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Mr. Duck served as the Vice President, Strategy & Development at Beacon Health Options. In this role, Mr. Duck led the organization’s strategy and business development efforts – responsible for a 30% increase in net revenue and initiated over $1 billion in revenue generation. Mr. Duck was active in national behavioral health initiatives as an executive of Beacon Health Options, including participating as a speaker at national and state association meetings.
Before joining Beacon Health Options, Mr. Duck was the Vice President of Business Development at Netsmart Technologies. During his tenure, Mr. Duck was responsible for business planning, including, the oversight of strategic activities including acquisitions, development, and execution of strategic initiatives, and positioning, and sales of large strategic customers. He also led the rollout of the company’s benchmarking and data analytics product suite.
Prior to Netsmart, Mr. Duck served as the Chief Executive Officer for Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, a large group practice with five clinic locations and two ambulatory surgical centers. As the organization’s chief executive officer, Mr. Duck was responsible for significant positive changes in leadership and corporate culture, financial and operational performance, compliance, and governance. Mr. Duck improved net collections by over $1 million per month and grew the practice through negotiating better contract rates with payers. He also implemented an organizational rebranding initiative and launched a new marketing campaign.
Prior to Coastal Orthopedics and Pain Management, Mr. Duck served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Florida Radiology Imaging, one of the largest outpatient diagnostic imaging service companies serving the greater Orlando market. During his tenure, Mr. Duck led the construction of three new, full modality, diagnostic imaging locations. Mr. Duck revolutionized the company’s culture by creating a highly attractive and functional work environment.
Mr. Duck earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Engineering Technology from the Electronic Technology Institute. Mr. Duck received an award by Inc Magazine for leading Florida Radiology Imaging as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Mr. Duck recently served as a contributing author to the book The New Health Age: The Future of Health Care in America.
Housing As Health Care: Delivering Services Despite Funding Cuts
The connection between stable housing and improved health outcomes has never been more evident. This session will examine how behavioral health leaders can sustain and even strengthen housing-related services in the face of shrinking budgets, reimbursement challenges, and shifting regulatory landscapes.
Through real-world examples, data informed strategies, and innovative partnerships, presenters will explore operational and financial models that allow organizations to continue delivering housing supports that directly impact emergency utilization, care continuity, and long-term recovery.
Attendees will gain insight into:
- Creative financing and braided-funding solutions that offset program cuts
- Cross-sector collaborations with public agencies, payers and community partners
- Proven approaches for integrating housing into care management and value-based care models
Amanda Zwirecki, MSEd
Amanda M.V. Bartz, LCSW-R
Amanda Bartz serves as Endeavor’s Vice President of Clinical Operations, providing strategic oversight of program development, quality assurance, and service delivery across the organization. She began her career at Endeavor in 2008, working directly with children, adolescents, and families, which is an experience that continues to inform her commitment to reducing barriers to care and expanding access to effective, equitable treatment. With a strong background in trauma-informed care and systems of coordination, Amanda plays a key role in advancing Endeavor’s integrated model of care. In this feature, she offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on the agency’s work to support youth, families, and underserved populations, highlighting how Endeavor’s approach fosters resilience and sustainable outcomes from the ground up.
Rebekka Lipp, LMHC-DP
Rebekka J. Lipp, LMHC-DP has been working in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder treatment since 2012, where she has focused her career on advancing innovative and compassionate behavioral health services. Rebekka is the Director of Clinical Services at Endeavor Health Services. In this role Rebekka is responsible for overseeing and implementing community-based programming including, a forensic ACT team, a clinical co-response police partnership, and the substance use disorder program. During her tenure, Rebekka led the development of the organization’s SUP Clinic, a program designed to provide comprehensive substance use treatment and integrated support for individuals seeking recovery. Rebekka prides herself on person centered treatment and evidence-based practice to make treatment accessible to all members of our community.
 With a strong passion for substance use treatment and the broader field of behavioral health, Rebekka has played a key role in developing programs that expand access to care and support individuals across diverse community settings. Rebekka is committed to strengthening systems of care, promoting recovery-oriented services, and improving outcomes for individuals affected by substance use and mental health challenges.
Navigating The Investment Landscape: A Panel Session
As the health care market continues to evolve, investment opportunities in the sector are becoming more dynamic and complex. This panel will bring together experts from the worlds of health care, finance, and venture capital to explore the latest trends and innovations shaping health care investment today. From cutting-edge technologies like AI and remote monitoring systems to shifts in policy and regulation, the discussion will highlight emerging opportunities, potential risks, and strategies for navigating this fast-paced and ever-changing industry. Attendees will gain insights into the key drivers of health care investment, as well as the challenges investors must consider when evaluating new ventures. Whether you’re an investor looking for the next big opportunity or a health care professional seeking to understand today’s investment landscape, this session will provide valuable perspectives on how to successfully navigate the future of health care investment.
Aaron Baca
Aaron joined Vista Care in 2024 to help lead the development of the next wave of tech-enabled I/DD services. Before Vista Care, he founded Mox Capital, where he partnered with innovative healthcare companies focused on reducing costs and enhancing outcomes. Aaron also served as Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences at Kingfish Group, where he sourced investment opportunities and drove strategic growth for portfolio companies. He holds a BA from Stanford University and a Master’s Degree from Oxford University.
Grant Chamberlain
Grant Chamberlain joined Ziegler in 2015 as a managing director in the Healthcare Investment Banking Practice. With over 25 years of investment banking experience, Grant has dedicated the majority of his career to advising HCIT and tech-enabled outsourced services companies with particular focus on transactions with telehealth companies such as Vimly, CXC, TM2U, Somnoware, Avera eCare, Philips Lifeline / ConnectAmerica, Tridiuum, Anelto, SmartMeter, CancerIQ, Validic, Doctible, CentralLogic, SCI, Regroup, Forefront, Basys, Airstrip, Forefront, IRIS, MDLIVE and Voalte.
Prior to Ziegler, Grant led the mHealth sector coverage at Raymond James – which included telehealth, remote monitoring and wireless healthcare solutions – after spending 25 years advising HCIT and tech-enabled outsourced services companies on a broad variety of M&A, joint ventures/partnerships and private financings. Additionally, Grant has completed dozens of transactions in the physician practice management space with a specific concentration in oncology, having closed over 15 deals in that sector in his career.
Prior to Raymond James, Grant was a principal at Shattuck Hammond Partners, which was acquired by Morgan Keegan. He was also a part of the corporate finance group of General Electric Capital Corporation and the financial services division of GE Medical Systems.
In addition, Grant is an elected Director of the ATA, the leading international advocate for the use of advanced remote medical technologies. He is also on the Board of Directors for The MAVEN Project, which uses telehealth and a network of volunteer physicians affiliated with the nation’s foremost medical school alumni associations to improve healthcare access for underserved populations.
Grant earned a B.A. in finance and investment banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Eric Keen
Prior to founding Civitas Growth Partners, Eric accumulated 20 years of experience as a private equity investor, including over a decade as a General Partner at Council Capital. His prior engagements include roles at leading middle-market private equity firms including DW Healthcare Partners, The Riverside Company, and Norwest Equity Partners. Prior to his tenure as a private equity investor, he spent time in management consulting at Marakon Associates and investment banking at Credit Suisse First Boston. He earned his BA in finance and political science from the University of Illinois in 2000. Outside of work, Keen also serves on the board of Hope College, Siloam Health, and Currey Ingram Academy, and was selected as a member of the 2016 Nashville Health Care Council Fellows program. He and his wife Macy have been blessed with four children, ranging in age from 16 to 10.
Tania S. Malik, J.D.
As co-founder of The Office of CEO, Tania brings a 25-year success record of C-level leadership, board experience, interim executive engagements, consultancy, investor experience, and serial entrepreneurship with multiple successful exits. Over the course of her career, she has realized several industry firsts as she launched several telemedicine companies starting in 1999. She is the Founder or Co-Founder of Medical Web, Inc, Virtual Medical Group, Inc. 1stonlinepharmacy.com (all related to online primary care with Medical Web being acquired), Vital Health Network. LLC (an online naturopathic company that implemented with Aetna), COPE Today, LLC (a telemental health company acquired by a venture firm), Virtual Medical Services and Veteran Benefit Management Services (dedicated to providing Independent Medical Opinions for veterans).
After two exits, she pivoted to board work, consultancy, and investments.
She serves as executive advisor to Excelerate Health Ventures (focusing on health SAAS companies) and member of Triangle Angel Partners (includes companies outside of healthcare).
As COO of the Center of Digital Health, Innovation and Telehealth for Optum, she focused on a virtual-first care delivery model. She also served as a strategic advisory board member for OmnySense, Inc. and Innovatel Telepsychiatry, acquired by Quartet Health in 2021. As co-founder and CEO of Medical Web, she led the first-of-its-kind online physician-patient communication platform to acquisition in 2014. She also served on the Board of Directors for Mindcare Solutions Group upon its 2013 acquisition of COPE Today, and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Direct and other non-profit boards. She is a Fellow in the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) College of Fellows and was the ATA Woman of the Year in 2020.
Early in her career, Tania practiced law as a Senior Enforcement Attorney with the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Georgia, and held the position of Administrative Law Judge with the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) as well as General Counsel for an HMO, Master Health Plan, Inc. A key tenure in management consulting with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ healthcare practice in Atlanta served as a launch pad for business and entrepreneurial opportunities across the healthcare space.
Tania holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University, and a Doctor of Law from Georgia State University College of Law.
Steven J. Mason Jr., M.Ed.
Steven is a Managing Partner and healthcare industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience starting and operating market-leading technology and services companies in the health and human services industries.
He has been instrumental in Fund I’s investments, including Care Continuity, where he recently served as CEO. Prior to serving as Executive Vice President at Iodine, Steven was the Chief Executive Officer at ChartWise Medical Systems, Inc., a computer-assisted clinical documentation system company that automated and improved the completeness and accuracy of physician documentation for faster and more optimal reimbursement of services provided. Iodine acquired ChartWise in 2021.
​Prior to his success with ChartWise, he led several successful start-up ventures including OnFocus Healthcare, a leading provider of web-based enterprise performance management software solutions for healthcare providers and payers. The company was acquired by MedeAnalytics, where he was Senior Vice President and General Manager of the EPM Business Unit. In this role, Steven was primarily responsible for integrating, managing, and growing the Mede Performance Management (MedePM) business unit within the broader MedeAnalytics portfolio.
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Additionally, he was Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Qualifacts Systems, a SaaS based electronic medical records software provider, and Chief Operating Officer of Camelot Care Centers, a national behavioral healthcare provider organization.
Steven received his BA in History from the University of Mississippi and an M.Ed. Human and Organizational development / counseling from Vanderbilt University. Mr. Mason currently serves on the Board of Directors of several private digital health companies.
Danish Munir
Danish is a Founding Partner of GreyMatter, a VC firm dedicated to advancing innovation in mental & brain health through a systems change approach.‍‍
Prior to GreyMatter, Danish founded Genoa Telepsychiatry one of the first (and prior to the pandemic, the largest) telepsychiatry companies in the country, which was acquired by Optum. At Optum he participated in the early transformation of their behavioral health network, working with numerous emerging mental health startups, that have since gone on to become defining companies in our space. GreyMatter was born out of the desire to continue this work to support bold founders pushing this space forward.
Danish started his career at Microsoft. He received a Bachelor of Science and Engineering, Computer information Sciences from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Danish grew up in Karachi, and considers both Karachi and New York home. His interests include cutting edge developments in mental health and therapeutics, ultimate frisbee and live music, and he is an active angel investor.
Executive Strategy, Marketing & Growth Officer Networking Luncheon
Join us for this private luncheon for OPEN MINDS member organization executive leaders – created for executives serving as the head of marketing, business development and strategy. This networking session aims to provide opportunities for leaders from across the country to share solutions to the challenges in serving consumers with complex needs. (To register, contact Erin Deppen, Education Events Manager, at 717-334-1329 or edeppen@openminds.com.)
Lauren Frantz
Lauren Frantz brings expertise in event planning, marketing, and campaign development to OPEN MINDS as the General Manager of Executive Education.
Previously, Ms. Frantz was the Program and Marketing Director for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation in Tampa, Florida. In this diverse role, Ms. Frantz supervised the foundation’s event and marketing teams and was responsible for event planning/logistics, implementing a strategic plan for the foundation’s digital marketing efforts, and developing custom campaigns for corporate partners.
Prior to her role as Program and Marketing Director, Ms. Frantz served as the foundation’s Program Manager and was responsible for enhancing national programs through innovative campaigns, implementing event marketing strategies, and coordinating more than 20 annual events. Ms. Frantz worked heavily on the foundation’s Fashion Funds the Cure program and event series. A main component of which was a nation-wide event tour that partnered with some of the country’s leading property companies, retail vendors, and corporate entities to create high-end fashion show galas and ultimately raise critical funds for pediatric cancer research.
Ms. Frantz enjoys both the creative and the analytical aspects of her work, she strives to embrace out-of-the-box thinking while also ensuring strategic implementation of processes and communication across teams. Her work style has been heavily influenced by her background in performing arts and work with local non-profit organizations in the Tampa Bay area. She strives to bring a broad view and creative edge to her work and is always searching for new ways to engage an audience.
Ms. Frantz graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in health management and biological science.
Rachel Steinmetz
Rachel Steinmetz brings broad experience in the health and human service field to the OPEN MINDS team. From operations management to marketing strategy, Ms. Steinmetz has been involved in almost every aspect of management in her career.
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Steinmetz was the Director of Operations for Funnel Lab, an internet marketing solutions firm. In that role, she designed revenue generating strategies including lead generation and customer engagement. She also developed their automation solutions, including operationalizing AI-driven text bots to enhance customer interactions. Ms. Steinmetz was also responsible for mulit-channel marketing strategy and strategy implementation including email, SMS, and social media automation.
Previously, Ms. Steinmetz was the Chief Operating Officer for Housing for Health, Orange County, a non-profit organization aimed at ending homelessness by addressing physical and mental health needs. As COO, she led all aspects of operations, including human resources, program development, and organizational management. This including implementing measures to enhance organizational efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance across multiple platforms and electronic health records. She also successfully cultivated robust partnerships with external partners.
Before Housing for Health Orange County, Ms. Steinmetz held roles supporting strategic communications and public policy initiatives in the behavioral health space. As Communications Coordinator for Be Well Orange County, she supported a county-wide initiative to improve access to compassionate mental health care through infrastructure investment and cross-sector collaboration. Her responsibilities included public relations, event planning, business development, research, vendor coordination, and managing the organization’s web and social media presence. As Senior Project Manager at Principle Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm focused on public policy and executive leadership, Ms. Steinmetz led multi-stakeholder initiatives, developed detailed project roadmaps, and coordinated efforts across municipalities, healthcare agencies, and community-based organizations.
In addition to her institutional roles, Ms. Steinmetz brings over a decade of experience consulting with nonprofits, small businesses, and mission-driven entrepreneurs. Her expertise includes business operations, digital marketing, workflow automation, and web strategy; working with clients to streamline systems, drive engagement, and scale sustainably.
Ms. Steinmetz earned a Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing from DePaul University.
Emily Harris
Emily Harris brings more than a decade of health care marketing experience to the OPEN MINDS team. She is a seasoned marketing executive with extensive knowledge of brand strategy and planning growth strategies.
Ms. Harris was most recently the Chief Marketing Officer for Trusted Provider Network Health (TPN.health), a national, interactive platform of behavioral health professionals. In her role there, she established TPN.health as a national behavioral health platform leader. She also led a team of marketing executives focused on revenue growth. And, Ms. Harris built out critical marketing data dashboards to track marketing impact of strategies by channel.
Prior to TPN.health, Ms. Harris was the Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Growth for Physician’s Choice Marketing Group, a full-service healthcare marketing firm in Dallas. Here she developed marketing strategies for private practice physicians. To achieve their clients’ marketing goals, Ms. Harris expanded direct-to-consumer (D2C) marketing channels to increase patient volume. She also developed key word ranking/search engine optimization strategies to drive content creation for organic online search ranking.
Previously, Ms. Harris was the Director of Brand Marketing and Growth for TeleHealth Solution (now Fident Health), a leading provider of virtual hospitalist telehealth services in Addison, Texas. In this position she developed lead and demand generation strategies that increased revenue growth through marketing qualified leads. She created strategic presentations for C-Suite board meetings to obtain an additional $10 Million in venture capital funding.
Ms. Harris earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration and her Master of Business Administration degrees from California Baptist University.
Bringing Care To The Consumer: Treatment In Non-Traditional Settings
As the behavioral health landscape evolves, traditional clinic-based models no longer meet the expectations—or the needs—of today’s consumers. From mobile crisis units and street medicine to retail health clinics, care delivery is moving beyond the four walls of traditional office settings.
This session brings together behavioral health leaders who are redefining access and engagement through consumer-centered, flexible care models that (literally) meet people where they are: in a church, at their school or on the street. Panelists will explore how organizations are embedding treatment in these everyday environments, building trust, breaking down stigma and access barriers, and creating sustainable reimbursement and operational frameworks that support care outside conventional facilities.
This session will highlight approaches that:
- Reduce barriers to care and reach underserved populations
- Integrate healthcare services into medical, community and virtual settings
- Align with value-based care goals and payer strategies
Rochelle Head-Dunham, M.D., DFAPA, FASAM
Rochelle Head-Dunham, MD, DFAPA, FASAM, an Endowed Professor at LSU School of Medicine, is an Addiction Psychiatrist with academic appointments as Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at LSU and Tulane University Schools of Medicine, respectively. Her past immediate appointments were Assistant Secretary and Medical Director for the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) within the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). In that capacity, she represented the state of Louisiana nationally as the Mental Health and Addictive Disorders Authority, serving as both the Commissioner of Mental Health for the National Association of Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), and the Single State Agency Director for the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD).
Dr. Head-Dunham’s academic and administrative leadership has fostered noteworthy advances in the fields of addiction and mental health. She has served as a subject matter expert on various national and state platforms informing best practices for the field of behavioral health. Her clinical accolades include Clinical Faculty of the Year for the 2021 academic year at LSU School of Medicine. In 2019 she was the recipient of the Nyswander/Dole Award from the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, INC. (AATOD). Both awards are demonstrative of her career success as a thought leader and strategist for programmatic and provider development, well documented by extensive lectures and trainings, both locally and nationally. Her clinical acumen coupled with her transformative management style has shaped an administrative career that fosters enduring changes for both systems, organizational and individual levels of performance.
Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham is a New Orleans native who currently serves as the Executive Director and Medical Director for Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD), a state local governing entity tasked with service delivery for indigent and Medicaid ensured persons living with mental illness, substance use disorders and intellectual/developmental disabilities, residing in Orleans and neighboring parishes.
Kim Despres, DHA, RN
Strategy With Purpose: Creating Growth, Competitive Advantage & Sustainable Impact
For leaders in health and human services, challenging times present a unique opportunity to rethink strategy, reimagine service delivery, and redefine marketing approaches. Join Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer of OPEN MINDS, as she takes a candid look at the current industry landscape and offers actionable insights and tools to help organizations take control of their strategy, focus on their strengths and mission, and emerge stronger.
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement and rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.