SPEAKING FACULTY
Applications are now being reviewed from executives who wish to become members of our Executive Speaking Faculty. To apply to become a member of the speaking faculty, and to indicate agenda topics of interest, please complete our online JOIN OUR FACULTY application or contact:
Don Buford, Founder & CEO, iiBIG
Phone: 212-300-2521 | Email: donb@iibig.com
Loren Adler, Associate Director, Center on Health Policy, The Brookings Institute
Loren Adler is a fellow and associate director at the Brookings Institution’s Center on Health Policy. He serves as an associate editor of Health Affairs Scholar. His research spans health care economics and policy, including private equity and payer acquisitions of physician practices, surprise billing, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug pricing. Previously, he was research director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and a senior policy analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematical economics from Wesleyan University and an M.S. in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Adler serves as an expert witness in matters involving ambulance billing.
Erin Andrew, Senior Managing Director, Turning Rock Partners
Ms. Andrew serves as a Senior Managing Director and member of the Firm’s investment team. At Turning Rock, she focuses on origination, underwriting and deal execution. Prior to joining Turning Rock, Ms. Andrew spent over five years as a senior loan officer at Live Oak Bank where she led a lending business focused on small and medium sized borrowers. She also held senior roles in the bank’s M&A advisory practice which involved comprehensive due diligence, deal financing and overall negotiations. Previous experience includes six years at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) where she was an Associate Administrator. Ms. Andrew started her career in management consulting at Booz Allen Hamilton and held other positions at the state and local levels of government. She is also a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Kauffman Fellow. Ms. Andrew received both her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Masters in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.
Juliana Araujo, President, iiBIG, Inc.
Juliana Araujo is the new owner and President of the new iiBIG, Inc. based in Alexandria, VA. Juliana acquired iiBIG, LLC from Founder & CEO Don Buford in an investor-backed sale in early 2025. Juliana is a strategic leader with over 25 years of experience across the financial services, telecommunications, technology, and nonprofit sectors. She is an accomplished executive and purpose-driven professional with expertise in strategic marketing and communications, organizational growth, and international development. As President of the International Institute for Business Information and Growth (iiBIG), Juliana is committed to advancing the organization’s mission as a trusted in-person platform where business leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators come together to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and find solutions to pressing challenges. Her corporate career includes executive and senior leadership roles in Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. At Santander Brasil, Juliana was the Marketing and Communications Superintendent for the credit card division, leading multi-million-dollar campaigns, fostering product innovation, and significantly boosting customer acquisition and loyalty in a competitive market. She also held leadership positions at IBM, Providian Bank, and Vivo (Brazil’s largest telecommunications company), where she played a strategic role in marketing and communications. In addition to her work at iiBIG, Juliana serves on the City of Alexandria, Virginia’s Commission on Employment, where she helps direct workforce development strategies and promotes inclusive economic growth. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, she is also a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and autism awareness, inspired by her experience as the mother of a neurodivergent child. She holds a BA in Economics, an MBA, a Master’s in Education, and a Master’s in Science and Technology Policy, having collaborated with research projects at the University of Georgia, Arizona State University, the Federal University of São Carlos (Brazil), and the State University of Campinas (Brazil).
Evan Atkinson, Senior Attorney, Dykema LLP
Evan Atkinson is a senior attorney in Dykema’s Austin office. He represents buyers, sellers, and private equity-backed sponsors across the healthcare industry, including dental service organizations, medical service organizations, dentists, urologists, dermatologists, medical aesthetic provider, and virtually every other type of medical professional in strategic transactions and negotiations, including acquisitions, mergers, recapitalizations, and divestitures. Following law school, Evan gained valuable experience serving as a Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Ronald B. King in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas. Prior to law school, Evan served in the United States Army where, among other assignments during his nine years of service, he served as a Blackhawk door gunner in Iraq and supervisor of the Soldiers under his command. Evan’s varied background and superb legal knowledge helps him facilitate strong relationships with his clients and navigate the often chaotic deal process.
Jesse Bethke Gomez, CEO, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
Jesse Bethke Gomez has over 29 successive years as Chief Executive Officer, sequentially leading three non-profit corporations in advancing health, well-being and education of thousands of people. He is CEO for Metropolitan Center for Independent Living. Thanks to a $2.1 million grant, Jesse leads a major initiative in Minnesota to solve the direct care crisis and transform our Nation’s homecare sector with a college credit Certified Direct Support Professional role from higher education, expand the direct care workforce, solve the crisis, and advance a sustainable economy. Jesse served on 42 Boards of Directors and Commissions; appointed twice by the Minnesota Supreme Court to Minnesota Judicial Selection Commission, is listed among “100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders in Minnesota” by Minnesota Physician Publication, LLP, (2024, 2020). Jesse holds a Master of Management and Administration degree, in strategic leadership, a Kellogg Fellow (University of North Carolina), a Presidential Scholar by Elizabeth Dole, President of the American Red Cross, a Graduate of the Minnesota Executive Program, University of Minnesota. Jesse trained with Dr. Edwards Deming who created the world-wide Quality Improvement Movement and with Tor Dahl, Chairman Emeritus, World Confederation of the Productivity Science.
Kimberly Brandt, Deputy Administrator & COO, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Kim Brandt is CMS’ Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer. Previously, she was a Partner at the Washington, D.C.-based policy firm Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC, where she provided strategic advice on a broad array of healthcare regulatory, enforcement, and policy matters. She also served as an Advisor to the private equity firm Enhanced Healthcare Partners, a private equity firm focused on healthcare, and held board positions at two of its portfolio companies. Kim has held multiple senior executive positions in government, including serving as Principal Deputy Administrator for Policy and Operations during the first Trump Administration. In that role she oversaw all activities necessary for the operation and management of CMS’ $1.4T budget in addition to leading efforts to reform the Physician Self-referral regulations and develop the first CMS interoperability rule. Kim previously served as Chief Oversight Counsel and General Counsel on the staff of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee where she led multiple healthcare investigations, the investigation into IRS political targeting and oversaw the political nominations process. Before joining the Finance Committee staff, Kim was a Senior Counsel at Alston & Bird in Washington, D.C. Her previous government service includes serving as the CMS Director of the Medicare Program Integrity Group and working at the HHS Office of Inspector General as a Senior Counsel and Director of External Affairs. Kim has a JD with a concentration in health law and an MA in legislative affairs.
Michael F. Cannon, Director of Health Policy Studies, The CATO Institute
Michael F. Cannon is the Cato Institute’s director of health policy studies. His scholarship spans public health; regulation of clinicians, medical facilities, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices; employer-sponsored and other private health insurance; Medicare; Medicaid; CHIP; the Veterans Health Administration; medical malpractice litigation; administrative law; international health systems; political philosophy; and more. Cannon is “an influential health‐care wonk” (Washington Post) and “the most famous libertarian health care scholar” (Washington Examiner). Washingtonian magazine named Cannon one of Washington, DC’s Most Influential People in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Cannon was previously a domestic policy analyst for the US Senate Republican Policy Committee, where he advised the Senate leadership on health, education, labor, welfare, and the Second Amendment. He is a member of the Board of Advisers of Harvard Health Policy Review and the Federalist Society Regulatory Transparency Project’s FDA and Health Working Group. Cannon holds an MA in economics and a JM in law and economics from George Mason University and a BA in American government from the University of Virginia.
Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer, National Rural Health Association (NRHA)
Dr. Carrie Cochran-McClain serves as the Chief Policy Officer at the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Carrie joined NRHA staff in 2020 where she is the head lobbyist for the association and is responsible driving the policy agenda for rural health for the 21,000 member organization. Carrie has more than 20 years of experience working in federal health policy development, including leadership roles at Health Management Associates, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. In her previous positions she has focused on improving health care outcomes, promoting health equity for vulnerable populations, and advising on health care policy issues. Carrie earned a BA in sociology from Willamette University and an MPA with a concentration in health policy and management from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. She completed a doctor of public health at the UNC Gillings School with a focus on access to obstetrical care in rural areas.
Dan Davidson, Managing Director, Northborne Partners
Dan Davidson is a Managing Director at Northborne Partners. Dan has over 25 years experience and has completed over 100 M&A, strategic advisory, and complex financing transactions. Dan’s focus is on behavioral health, physician services, and other key healthcare sectors. Prior to joining Northborne, Dan founded and served as President of Galen Mental Health, a leading behavioral health provider. Dan partnered with Lindsay Goldberg to build and operate a nationwide network of leading behavioral health centers. Prior to Galen, Dan was a founder and Managing Director of Coker Capital Securities, a premier M&A advisory services firm focused on middle-market healthcare companies that was acquired in 2018. Dan graduated from Clemson University with a degree in finance in 1995.
Adam Davis, Executive Director, Juniper Advisory LLC
Chris Dooney, VP Finance & Development, BrentCare Behavioral Health
Chris Dooney has 15+ years of healthcare and life sciences experience in the areas of advisory/consulting, financial services, and operating companies, including knowledge in healthcare providers & services (acute, behavioral, & post-acute), biotech & pharma, medical technology (MedTech), managed care (Payors), healthcare IT (HCIT) , and consumer-driven healthcare. Chris is a cross-trained strategy and finance (CFO) executive with background in commercial insurance, bulge bracket commercial & investment banking, Big 4 accounting/consulting, business & corporate development, human resources, information technology, operations, and regulatory compliance.
Kathy Gaughran, Senior Marketing Strategist, Healthcare Success
Kathy Gaughran is the Senior Marketing Strategist at Healthcare Success based in Irvine, CA. She has helped over 4,000 clients all over North America achieve their growth goals. As an award-winning strategic marketing planner, Kathy has been involved in both the high-level strategies required for long-term sustainability, plus the tactical execution used to accomplish the day-to-day successes. In addition, Kathy is an accomplished speaker, appearing at countless national, local and state healthcare associations. Kathy is a member of the American Marketing Association and The Direct Marketing Association.
Robert King, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Reporter, POLITICO
Robert King has been the CMS reporter for POLITICO since April 2023. He covers regulatory and policy topics surrounding Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. He has previously worked for Fierce Healthcare, Washington Examiner and FDANews. He is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College. Follow Robert at: Follow @rking_19
David Lee, Principal, Leavitt Partners
David Lee is a principal at Leavitt Partners based in Washington, D.C. David provides policy counsel and analysis to clients on issues related to regulations, legislation, and business implications. His work is focused on issues related to government payers, including Medicare and Medicaid, health care reform and other provider issues. Prior to joining Leavitt Partners, David served as director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy for the National Rural Health Association where he directed advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and with administrative agencies on issues related to rural hospitals, clinics, health centers, and other providers. Before working at NRHA, David served on the staff of Senator Robert F. Bennett. David received his B.A. at Utah State University in law and constitutional studies while minoring in Spanish. He received his juris doctorate from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C.
Tal Lefler, Managing Director, CapitalOne Healthcare Lending
Kevin Maahs, Managing Director, Vertess Healthcare Advisors
Charlene MacDonald, EVP Public Affairs, Federation of American Hospitals (FAH)
As Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Federation of American Hospitals (FAH), Charlene MacDonald leads advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and beyond, advocating for access to quality health care for the millions of patients served by our members’ facilities. She also manages the Federation’s operations team, overseeing the organization’s finances, human resources and administrative services. During her more than 20-year career in health policy, Charlene has held a wide range of leadership positions in business and government, most recently serving as Chief Government Affairs Officer for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Prior to CareFirst, Charlene was Head of Health Care and Life Sciences at FTI Consulting, where she led a multidisciplinary strategic communications team and advised clients on all aspects of stakeholder engagement, including corporate reputation, investor relations and public affairs. Charlene brings more than a decade of experience working inside government. She served as top health advisor to former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Senior Policy Advisor for Medicare & Social Security at the Senate Budget Committee under Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and Deputy Chief of Staff to Representative Allyson Schwartz (D-PA). Her accomplishments include the drafting, negotiation and enactment of numerous bipartisan health bills ranging from the 21st Century Cures Act to the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). She holds an M.P.P. from the Harvard Kennedy School and undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Sociology from Lake Forest College.
Ari J. Markenson, Partner, Venable LLP
Natasha Murphy, Director of Health Policy, Center for American Progress (CAP)
Natasha Murphy is the director of Health Policy at American Progress, where she develops and advances policy proposals to lower health care costs and improve health care coverage, affordability, and quality. Prior to joining American Progress, Murphy served as a public policy and regulatory compliance analyst at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, where she leveraged her research, analysis, and communication skills to inform and disseminate the organization’s policy positions and served as a liaison for regulatory and policy issues affecting the commercial market. Previously, Murphy was a Kaiser Family Foundation Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholar, assisted with early Affordable Care Act implementation efforts at the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance, and served as an ombudsman for the District of Columbia deputy mayor for health and human services. Murphy earned her Master of Science in public health, health policy degree at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Bachelor of Science in health sciences, magna cum laude, from Howard University.
Jeff Nahley, Managing Director, Rockefeller Capital Management
Jeff Nahley is a Managing Director and Senior Banker within Rockefeller Global Investment Banking, the investment banking division of Rockefeller Capital Management. In his role, Jeff leads national healthcare services investment banking coverage and provides strategic advice to Rockefeller Global Family Office clients who own and operate businesses as well as corporate clients across the healthcare sector. With over 30 years’ experience focused on healthcare services and HCIT investment banking, Jeff has executed more than 100 transactions in the Debt Capital Markets, Equity Capital Markets, and Mergers & Acquisitions arena. He began his career in the New York Corporate Finance Group with Bankers Trust Company (BT) in 1986. During his seven-year career with BT, Jeff completed a variety of debt financing, high yield, M&A and advisory assignments. Before moving to Nashville, TN in 1993, Jeff was a Vice President in BT’s New York Mergers & Acquisitions group. Since moving to Nashville, Jeff has been a Partner/Shareholder and Senior Managing Director with three middle market boutique investment banks: Equitable Securities, Avondale Partners and Signal Hill Capital. For five years Jeff served as member of the Management Committee of Signal Hill through its sale to Daiwa Securities in 2017, overseeing the firm’s healthcare services industry practice and playing a major role in the launch of Signal Hill’s national sponsor coverage effort. From April 2018 to July 2019, Jeff was the founder and CEO of GlassRock Capital Partners, a Nashville-based family office which completed four private equity platform investments across the healthcare services and software/technology verticals. From 2019 to 2025, Jeff served as Head of Middle Market Healthcare Services Investment Banking for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, during which time he completed more than $9bn of Healthcare Services M&A, Equity and Debt Capital Markets transactions. He is a graduate of Middlebury College and Columbia Business School.
Cathryn Paine, Partner, Anzu Partners LLC
Cathryn Paine is a Partner with Anzu Partners. She leads Anzu’s business services functions, including Talent, Marketing & Communications, People Operations, and a specialized law firm, Lex Generalis, and she sits on the Investment Committee of the firm’s most recent Fund. Cathryn is currently a Board Observer for EnchargeAI (Fund III), which recently closed a $100M Series B, and was previously a Board Director for MultiMechanics (Fund I), which exited to Siemens in 2019. She was named to Venture Capital Journal’s 2021 ‘40 under 40 Rising Stars in VC’ list. Prior to Anzu, Cathryn spent a decade working at technology start-ups. At Mapbox, a venture backed company making mapping and location tools for developers, Cathryn led recruitment between its A and C funding rounds, as deputy to the COO. Previously, Cathryn ran operations for FrontlineSMS, a mobile messaging software company with offices in Washington, DC and Nairobi, Kenya, travelling globally and training users on the software. Cathryn received her BA and MA from the George Washington University. In her spare time, she is a member of the Search Committee for the Women on Boards Project, working to place women on private company Boards.
Anjana Patel, Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, et al
Anjana Patel (“Ahnj-na Puh-tel”) is a nationally recognized health care attorney with more than 25 years of experience guiding health care providers, organizations, and investors through complex legal and business challenges. Known for her sharp strategic thinking and deep industry knowledge, Anjana is a trusted advisor to clients navigating today’s dynamic health care landscape. Anjana’s client roster includes hospitals, health systems, physician and dental practices, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical labs, specialty pharmacies, post-acute care providers, management services organizations (MSOs), revenue cycle management companies, and other health care industry-adjacent businesses. She frequently works on multi-state transactions and offers nuanced counsel that combines regulatory insight with a clear-eyed understanding of business goals.In addition to her transactional work, Anjana provides comprehensive guidance on regulatory compliance, including federal and state anti-kickback (AKS) and self-referral laws (Stark), the corporate practice of medicine, fee-splitting laws, licensure, certificate of need (CON) requirements, and internal governance issues for both non-profit and for-profit entities. A frequent speaker at national and regional industry conferences, Anjana is a recognized thought leader in the health care space. Her insights have been featured in leading health care publications, where she contributes to the ongoing conversation about innovation, compliance, and strategy in a highly regulated environment. Anjana is the managing shareholder of Baker Donelson’s Iselin, New Jersey offices.
Nivedita Patel, Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, et al
Blake Peart, Managing Director, Vertess Healthcare Advisors
Blake Peart has an extensive and diverse career in healthcare for over twenty years. In the past ten years, he has served as CEO for multiple hospitals of fortune 500 companies and CEO for several large ambulatory surgery centers. In addition, Blake’s operations and business development knowledge has allowed him to experience the entire M&A process from start to finish focusing primarily on private equity transactions. His history as both a CEO and clinician provides a unique perspective based on years of experience and empathy when working with business owners seeking M&A advice. Blake’s expertise is in ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, and independent hospital businesses. He supports healthcare business owners who select the M&A direction as one who has walked in their shoes. He knows that every transaction is unique and tailored to a seller’s need in getting the best deal and providing a positive experience throughout the entire process.
Glenn Prives, Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, et al
Glenn Prives is a seasoned health care and corporate shareholder based in Baker Donelson’s Metropark (Iselin), New Jersey office. Glenn recognized for his in-depth knowledge and proven success in navigating the intricate regulatory landscape of the health care industry for his national client base. With a reputation for practical, results-driven solutions, Glenn excels at managing high-stakes transactions and negotiating complex deals that align with his clients’ goals. His extensive experience spans critical areas such as hospital-physician alignment, mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, due diligence reviews, licensure matters, and health care information technology. Glenn is also experienced in health care compliance, providing guidance on key regulatory matters, including the Stark Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute, HIPAA, and the corporate practice of medicine doctrine. Glenn serves a diverse health care client base, representing both for-profit and not-for-profit health systems, physician groups, academic medical centers, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), home health agencies, laboratories, telemedicine companies, medical billing companies, dental groups, and substance abuse centers. His experience also extends to advising private equity firms, investment funds, family offices, and investors in the health care sector. Beyond health care, Glenn brings considerable experience in corporate law, regularly advising on mergers and acquisitions, contractual negotiations, regulatory compliance, and due diligence across various industries.
Ron Reed, Managing Director, Cascade Partners
Ron Reed has 30+ years of experience as an investor, financial advisor, and executive in the technology and business services sectors. As a Managing Director at Cascade Partners, he leads equity investments, divestitures, recapitalizations, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions, with a focus on B2B technology, healthcare, and business services. He’s managed multiple equity funds and investments across early-stage ventures, buyouts, and roll-ups. Previously, Reed was CEO of NWP, a national leader in utility recovery, payments, and financial back-office services for over 5,000 properties in 44 states. A founding investor and later CEO, he helped drive growth and led approximately $5B in annual financial transactions. NWP was acquired by RealPage, Inc. (NASDAQ: RP), Reed led that utility management division. Earlier, he was a Managing Director at Seneca Partners, Cascade’s predecessor, advising on transactions and serving on several boards. He’s held leadership and board roles with Endeavor Capital, Pennel Venture Partners, Greenhill & Co. SAVP, Adesso Solutions, Fullscope, Harbinger Corporation, Compendia Bio, Biotronic NeuroNetwork, among others. Reed earned a B.S. in Physics-Engineering from Eastern Michigan University. He’s an Emeritus Member and former Chairman of the EMU Foundation Board and supports several nonprofits, including the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Toniann Richard, CEO, HCC Network
Toniann Richard is the CEO of HCC Network, a Rural Health Network supported by multiple funders, partners and investors. Ms. Richard has raised millions in grant funding since 2007 — funds that continue to be directed toward programs that close access barriers for the underserved. Since 2007, she has grown her staff from two full-time employees to over 130 full-time employees and developed a successful business model that supports a $15 million fiscal impact. Ms. Richard is no stranger to rural living. Her passion for rural health stems from her overall passion for serving those in need. This passion has been a catalyst for her leadership as CEO of HCC Network, one of the few rural health care networks in the country that operates multiple Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Ms. Richard works with HCC’s Network to develop highly effective service delivery models for vulnerable populations. She has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit, and working with community networks. Ms. Richard has served in many volunteer leadership roles including representing board and officer positions on the following local, state and national organizations: RHIHub, Burrell Behavioral Health, University of Central Missouri Health Studies Advisory Board, Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Missouri Primary Care Association, Missouri Rural Health Association, Missouri Area Health Education Centers, National Cooperative of Health Network and the National Rural Health Association. Toniann is a graduate of Baker University, Center for Creative Leadership – Leadership Fundamentals, University of Kansas Community Health Center Executive Fellowship and has completed the Harvard School of Health Leadership Strategies for Evolving Health Care Executives Fellowship program.
Dr. Nell Smircina, Managing Director, Search Fund 83, Novastone Capital Advisors
Dr. Nell Smircina is a healthcare entrepreneur, operator, and strategic advisor with deep expertise across clinical care, wellness, and healthcare services. As a practitioner-turned-executive, she has scaled multidisciplinary clinics, led advocacy initiatives in integrative medicine, and consulted for organizations navigating growth, operations, and care model innovation. Currently, Nell is pursuing an acquisition through Novastone Capital Advisors’ Operator Led Buyout program, with a focus on acquiring and leading a middle-market company in integrative or specialty care. Her thesis targets founder-led businesses with clinical credibility and scalable models—especially those aligned with cash-pay, hybrid, or multi-physician platforms outside of traditional hospital systems. With a clinical background, an Executive MBA from Notre Dame, and hands-on experience in diligence, deal structuring, and post-acquisition strategy, Nell brings a unique lens to today’s deal environment. She is well-positioned to speak on trends in non-hospital roll-ups, the evolving role of strategic and financial buyers, and how independent operators are reshaping care delivery. Her perspective bridges investor priorities with frontline operational insight—making her a valuable voice in conversations around PE investment horizons, outpatient growth, and the future of multi-physician acquisitions.
Reed Van Gorden, Managing Director and Head of Originations, Deerpath Capital
Reed Van Gorden is a Managing Director and Head of Originations at Deerpath Capital. He joined Deerpath in 2015 and has 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked in leveraged finance and private equity at Golub Capital, Abingworth Management and JP Morgan. Mr. Van Gorden is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (M.B.A., 2012) and Northwestern University (B.A., 2006).
Derrick Walter, Director, Berkeley Research Group (BRG)
Derek Zeller, Director, Healthcare Lending, BMO Harris Bank
Derek Zeller is a Relationship Manager/Director of BMO’s Commercial Real Estate Healthcare practice. Derek brings over 20 years of experience lending to the healthcare industry to this role. Based in Washington DC, Derek is a leader in BMO’s Healthcare CRE group at a national level in providing financing to the seniors housing and medical outpatient industries in the form of term or construction loans. Prior to joining BMO, Derek was a Vice President in the Healthcare Real Estate Group within the Commercial and Specialty Finance division of Capital One. Prior to joining Capital One, he was a Portfolio Manager at Oxford Finance, a finance company headquartered in Alexandria, VA focused on lending to the healthcare and life science industries. Derek got his start in healthcare finance at CapitalSource. Inc., a commercial lending and banking, investment and asset management company in Chevy Chase, MD where he held numerous roles from a Healthcare Real Estate Analyst to VP of asset liquidation and restructuring. Since 2006, he has been involved with over $6.0 billion in capital transactions. Derek’s additional contributions to the seniors housing and care industry include being an active alumnus on the National Investment Center’s Future Leaders Council (NIC FLC) and American Seniors Housing Association’s (ASHA) Rising Leader program. Derek holds a BS in Business Administration, Finance, Cum Lade from American University’s Kogod School of Business.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
Continuing Education Credits (e.g. CLE, CPE, CME, etc.) may be available for attending this iiBIG conference. Following the conference, attendees may request to be provided with a “Certificate of Completion” and a copy of the conference agenda, showing topics, length of sessions, and name(s) and professional affiliation(s) of presenter(s) for each session. Attendees wishing to apply for continuing education credits for attending this conference may submit this documentation to the relevant organization in his/her state when applying for such credits. In accordance with general standards, one continuing education credit is generally granted per each session based on a 50-minute hour.