2026 Speakers

Keynotes

  • President of the HealthPartners Institute and Chief Science Officer at HealthPartners

    Dr. Nico Pronk serves as president of the HealthPartners Institute and chief science officer at HealthPartners. Nico is also a senior research investigator at the Institute. His work is focused on connecting scientific evidence of effectiveness with practical applications of programs and practices, policies and systems that measurably improve population health and well-being. Nico is a recognized global scholar in health education, health promotion, and population health and well-being.

    His leadership has included co-chairing the scientific advisory committee for Healthy People 2030 to set the health goals for the nation, chairing the Roundtable on Obesity Solution sat the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, and serving as the founding president for the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion. He came to HealthPartners in 1994 and worked in the health plan on community and member health initiatives until 2017 when he joined the Institute as its inaugural president.

    Keynote: Movement-at-Work as Performance Infrastructure

  • Founder and CEO - Scroll By Choice

    With over 20 years of experience in organizational change, employee benefits, and business transformation, Riz founded Scroll By Choice to tackle the health and productivity crisis created by attention-hijacking technologies. His mission is to help kids, families, and organizations take back control of their digital habits and thrive in a world shaped by AI-driven technology. Without this, employers risk losing valuable human capital, schools see declining academic performance, and society faces rising loneliness and declining wellbeing.

    A former leader at Microsoft and Aon, Riz built global teams and led large-scale transformation initiatives. A Prosci-certified Change Management Practitioner, he helps organizations implement digital wellness as a way to reduce costs, improve performance, and strengthen workplace culture.

    Riz earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.A. in Computer Science and Economics from Knox College. He lives in Bellevue, WA with his wife and son - who is the inspiration for his work.

    Keynote: Everyone’s Doomscrolling: Thriving in a Digitally Distracted Workplace

Breakout Sessions

  • Wellness Coordinator at Waukee Community School District

    Lindsay has been a passionate professional in the health and wellness industry since 2013. She began her career as a fitness instructor, transitioned to a corporate Health & Fitness Specialist role, and later served as a Wellness Manager in senior living for several years. Over the past few years, Lindsay was the Healthy Living Director and Health Coach at the local YMCA, worked for Optum as a Health Promotion Specialist at Wells Fargo, and has spent the last year and a half as the Staff Wellness Coordinator for the Waukee Community School District. In this role, she has been focused on building the district’s well-being and safety programs.

    Lindsay earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Business Administration from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She also holds a Health Coaching certificate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a Exercise Physiologist certification through ACSM amongst several other fitness certifications she has completed over the years.

    At Waukee Community School District, Lindsay’s mission is to help employees feel their best—fostering a positive, energetic environment where staff serve as role models for students by making healthy choices, staying active, and practicing mindfulness. By leveraging feedback and health care data, Lindsay creates relevant wellness programs that encourage employees to make small, sustainable changes in their daily routines. This not only improves their energy, health, and success but also supports the district’s goal of reducing workers’ compensation and health care costs.

    Outside of work, Lindsay leads an active lifestyle. She enjoys running, playing (and watching) a variety of sports, gardening, attending concerts, and traveling with her family. She especially loves cheering on her sons, Grant (8) and Everett (6), as they excel in their activities.

    Breakout Session: From Surveys to Solutions: Personalizing Wellbeing Programs to Drive Results

  • MPH, MCHES, NBC-HWC Manage, UI Wellness liveWELL, University Human Resources University of Iowa

    Melanie Cuchna is the UI Wellness Manager for the liveWELL program at The University of Iowa. She is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach with over a decade of experience leading employee wellness programs. Melanie oversees programs and services including expanding the Wellness Ambassador network to connect employees to resources and build a healthy campus.

    Breakout Session: Driving Engagement Through Culture and Communication: Building a Robust Wellness Ambassador Network and Strategic Messaging

  • Co-Founder, Sr. Partner - The People Co.

    Ali Payne, the fearless and fabulous Senior Partner of People Solutions at The People Co., is a force to be reckoned with in the world of employee experience and wellbeing. With a sharp focus on shaking up the status quo, Ali is all about pushing boundaries and creating workplaces where employees not only survive but thrive.

    Ali’s background in organizational design, wellbeing, and engagement makes her a trailblazer in her field. She’s not afraid to challenge the norm and always puts people first in a world increasingly driven by technology.

    As an award-winning thought leader, Ali has been recognized for her innovative approach to organizational wellbeing and culture. She was named Employee Benefit Adviser’s Wellness Adviser of the Year in 2018, a testament to her expertise and impact in the industry. She’s also a global speaker and renowned consultant, frequently sought after for her insights on the future of work. And she’s not just a pretty face—Ali boasts degrees from top universities and holds a leadership certificate from Harvard Business School. With nearly two decades leading Gallagher’s Wellbeing and Engagement team, followed by a stint at a startup for another regional broker, Ali ultimately landed at The People Co. to lead their People Solutions team.

    Breakout Session: If You Think This Is a ‘Gen Z' Problem’ , It’s Probably You…

  • Health Coach, UI Wellness, liveWELL, University of Iowa

    Breakout Session: Driving Engagement Through Culture and Communication: Building a Robust Wellness Ambassador Network and Strategic Messaging

  • Executive Director, Iowa Cancer Consortium

    Kelly Wells Sittig is the Executive Director at the Iowa Cancer Consortium, a comprehensive cancer control coalition of more than 750 Iowans and 65 organizations working collaboratively to reduce the state’s burden of cancer. She also serves as Assistant Director of Community Partnerships for Community Outreach and Engagement at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

    Kelly holds undergraduate degrees in public administration and music and a master’s in industrial-organizational psychology. Her areas of expertise include facilitation, coalition building, organizational development, and communication. Kelly loves the energy that develops when people work together and problem solve around issues they are passionate about. She believes that positive interpersonal, team, organizational, and community dynamics are important ingredients for better collaborative outcomes.

      Breakout Session: Cancer in Iowa: Community and Workplace Strategies

  • Senior Vice President of Operations at Navigate Wellbeing Solutions

    Jim Barclay, Senior Vice President of Operations, has been with Navigate since 2015. In that time, Jim has led the operations team to be the best in the business - a team focused on creating strategic value while also having an unwavering commitment to provide exceptional experiences for our clients. Jim is passionate about his wife and two children, the movie Top Gun, golfing, and playing pickleball with his father.

    Breakout Session: From Surveys to Solutions: Personalizing Wellbeing Programs to Drive Results

  • Neurodiversity Consultant - Great Minds Consulting

    Kate Thompson is an advocate for neurodiversity and a seasoned speaker and coach. She empowers workplaces in supporting neurodivergent individuals, helping to embrace their strengths and navigate challenges.

    As a member of the Iowa Olmstead Consumer Task Force, she worked to support full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life. Through the Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute, she advocated for policy change at the state and local level. She has assisted libraries in starting their own Accessibility Teams and surveying their users to provide the best service and environment. Her dedication to advocacy extends to her role as a presenter at numerous conferences, including those focused on library services, public health, and neurodiversity.

    Through her firsthand experiences as a parent and her work with autistic individuals, Kate has gained invaluable insights into the unique strengths and challenges faced by neurodivergent employees. In addition to her advocacy for autistic individuals, Kate is open about her own neurodivergence. Living with ADHD has provided her with a nuanced understanding of cognitive diversity and the importance of embracing different ways of thinking and processing information.

    Kate encourages businesses and managers to unlock the full potential of their neurodivergent employees, and to tailor their recruitment and onboarding processes to create an environment of belonging.

    Breakout Session: An Inspiring Environment for Neurodivergent Employees

  • PharmD, Director, Medical Center Downtown Pharmacy, University of Iowa Health Care

    Breakout Session: Driving Engagement Through Culture and Communication: Building a Robust Wellness Ambassador Network and Strategic Messaging

  • RD, LD, Des Moines Clinic Leader - Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics

    Elsey Strube, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian and leader of the bariatric department, Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, at Iowa Specialty Hospital & Clinics. She celebrates 10 years with the organization this year, having begun her career in direct patient care where she developed a deep passion for treating obesity as a chronic, multifaceted disease requiring comprehensive, team-based care.

    Motivated to expand access to that level of support, Elsey transitioned into leadership and has helped grow the bariatric and weight management program to serve five locations across north central Iowa. She champions a multidisciplinary approach that integrates nutrition, mental health, and medical supervision to create sustainable, long-term outcomes.

    What she values most about this work is taking a root-cause approach to medicine — seeking to understand the “why” behind a patient’s health challenges rather than focusing solely on symptoms. Elsey is committed to helping patients make the most of their lives by finding balance through nourishing nutrition, meaningful movement, and strong mental well-being.

    Whole-Person Health: Addressing Root Causes Through the Gut–Mind Connection

  • Director of Learning - Meraki Institute of Learning by Tanager

    Emma Harding, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), is the Director of Learning at the Meraki Institute. With extensive experience in school-based therapeutic services, she has worked with children and families from early childhood through college, adapting her approach to the developmental needs of each stage. Emma believes that every individual’s story holds the potential for growth, healing, and transformation.

    Specializing in advanced play therapy techniques, Emma is particularly dedicated to supporting families and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a committed educator and lifelong learner, she emphasizes collaboration and practical strategies to help therapists, educators, and trainees foster trauma-sensitive, supportive environments.

    In her personal life, Emma enjoys spending time outdoors, creating new adventures with her daughters, and being with family and friends.

    Breakout Session: Reflective Supervision as a Wellness Strategy: Supporting the Humans Behind the Work

  • Caitlin Larson, RD, LD, CDCES, Gastroenterology Leader - Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics

    With a career rooted in nutrition and now a leader in one of the very first dedicated Functional GI programs, Caitlin Larson has a passion for combining physical and psychological factors to treat and prevent chronic disease. Caitlin has been a Registered Dietitian for 13 years in many capacities from community health to acute care and now serves as the Gastroenterology Leader at Iowa Specialty Hospital. She was a dedicated partner in developing a multidisciplinary system to treat disorders of gut-brain interaction, and continues to support the GI department as it grows service lines and delivers exceptional care.

    Breakout Session: Whole-Person Health: Addressing Root Causes Through the Gut–Mind Connection

  • Registered Dietitian/Certified Eating Disorder Specialist - Redefining Health: Nutrition for ALL Bodies, LLC

    Alison St. Germain is a Registered Dietitian at Student Health and Wellness and the founder of St. Germain Consulting: Redefining Health—Nutrition for ALL Bodies, LLC. With a background in higher education, Alison has dedicated much of her career to teaching and advocating for healthcare without harmful stigma. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and a Health At Every Size® (HAES) Facilitator. Alison is passionate about promoting diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible care.

    Alison regularly presents on weight bias and best practices for supporting individuals in a compassionate and stigma-free way. Her personal experience as a mother of two daughters fuels her commitment to weight inclusivity, anti-diet approaches, and raising awareness about eating disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery.

    Breakout Session: Beyond the Scale: Realistic and Sustainable Well-Being Approaches Without the Weight Focus

  • Director, UI Work-Life - University of Iowa

    Diana has served as Work-Life Director at the University of Iowa for the past decade, advancing programs that strengthen individual and organizational well-being. Before returning to her alma mater, she held roles in Human Resources and Public Health, consistently dedicated to creating healthier, more supportive communities.

    In her current role,she leads initiatives that promote work-life harmony, including childcare and elder caregiving resources, workplace flexibility, and financial well-being. She also ensures these priorities remain visible across HR conversations.

    Diana received her Master's in Public Health from the University of Iowa and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. She actively contributes to the Johnson County Childcare Solutions Coalition, where she leads efforts to address the intersection of business and childcare needs.

    Breakout Session: Supporting Employee Financial Well-Being Across the Risk Continuum

  • Director and Principal Investigator, Iowa Cancer Registry

    Dr. Mary Charlton is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and Director of the Iowa Cancer Registry. She is also the President of the Iowa Cancer Consortium and Co-Leader of the Cancer Epidemiology and Population Science Program at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on improving access and quality of cancer care for rural populations.  

    Breakout Session: Cancer in Iowa: Community and Workplace Strategies

Don’t miss this amazing lineup of speakers!

Join us at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny on April 22nd.