Agenda for 2026 Seattle, WA

 09:00 - Noon PDT (UTC-7)

 Member Site Tour: Sound

Member Site Tour: Sound

Facilitator: Katrina Egner LMHC, President & CEO, of Sound

Tour our flagship, 60-year-old clinic that was designed specifically after JFK’s Community Mental Health Act of 1963. Take our shuttle just a short way from downtown Seattle. In celebration of your arrival and our 60th anniversary, we’ll join together over coffee and pastries to: Connect with our executive and clinical leadership team; Tour our clinic; and, Engage in discussion around increased access and innovation utilizing our CCBHC planning grants, access and sustainability for our MOUD program, lessons learned in scaling whole person care, and more!

 1:30 - 4:30 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Innovation Incubator
 Sponsored by:  Psyrin

Innovation Incubator: What Works: Real Fundraising Wins and How to Replicate Them 

Presenters: Jeri Davis, CEO, of JDi - Jeri Davis International & A Distinquished Panel of Experts

Increasing revenue from diversified sources is critical for success in 2026 and beyond. This high-impact session will explore four proven fundraising approaches designed to generate the greatest return in the shortest time—while emphasizing the execution details that determine real-world success. Hear concise, high-impact case studies showcasing how member organizations have transformed innovative partnerships and fundraising strategies into sustainable revenue and program growth.

 5:00 - 6:30 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Welcome Reception
 Sponsored by:  MHRRG & Negley Associates   

All attendees and their travel companions are invited to join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

 7:30 - 8:30 am PDT (UTC-7)

 8:30 - 8:45 am PDT (UTC-7)

 Welcome & Introductions

 General Session
 Sponsored by:  The Martyn Family Foundation

The Eclipse Mindset: How to Prepare for the Moments That Change Everything 

Presenter: Jon Carmichael, Photographer

Hear the story of capturing one of the most iconic solar eclipse images—from a childhood dream to a high-stakes shoot at 39,000 feet. Through powerful visuals and storytelling, Jon will introduce The Eclipse Mindset: a way of thinking that turns uncertainty into opportunity and challenges into breakthrough moments. You will leave with practical strategies to reframe limitations, embrace uncertainty, and take bold action when it matters most—unlocking new levels of innovation, curiosity, and possibility.

 Morning Break
 Sponsorship Available!

 10:30 - Noon PDT (UTC-7)

 General Session
 Sponsorship Available!

Real Talk Roundtables

Facilitators:  TBD

Connect and problem-solve with peers through this semi-structured session intended to drive impactful dialogue about the most pressing and relevant topics facing your organizations.

 Noon - 1:30 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Grab Lunch with a Few of Your mhca Peers

 Noon - 1:30 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Orientation Lunch for New & Prospective mhca Member CEOs (by invitation only)
 Sponsored by:  INCITE Consulting Solutions

 WED Networking Lunch (Member CEOs only - seating is limited)
 Sponsored by:  vcfo

From Margin Pressure to Mission Power: Using AI to Strengthen Financial Sustainability in Behavioral Health

Presenter: TBD

As CEOs, it is important to be attuned to indicators of financial risk. This session will help identify the most important aspects of the financials and balance sheet to pay attention to in order to keep an eye on the financial health of the organization.

  NOTE:   Limited to mhca Member CEOs only, and seating is limited. Please pre-register by RSVP'ing here:

• Register / RSVP

 1:30 - 3:00 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Breakout Session 1

The Eclipse Mindset: How to Prepare for the Moments That Change Everything Part 2

Presenter: Jon Carmichael, Photographer

Diving deeper into Jon Carmichael’s story of curiosity, perseverance and discovery.

 1:30 - 2:15 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Breakout Session 2A

Precision Meets Compassion: Industrial Engineering at the Point of Behavioral Health Care

Presenters: Caden Davis, PhD Candidate, of the University of Missouri Industrial & Systems Engineering & Consultant for CFHS; and C.J. Davis PsyD, CEO Elect, of Centerstone

This session explores how data science, AI, and an industrial engineering lens are transforming behavioral health care delivery. Using a “blue ocean” approach, it highlights how organizations can better align resources, optimize processes, and make smarter decisions under uncertainty. Attendees will gain practical insights on leveraging new data sources (like online reviews), rethinking no-show management, deploying case managers more strategically, and building data science as a core organizational capability. 

 2:15 - 3:00 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Breakout Session 2B

Comprehensive Healthcare’s Journey to HR Excellence: Modernizing Talent, Leadership, and Culture

Presenters:  Mark Kettner MBA, Chief Financial Officer, of Comprehensive Healthcare; and Jody Robie, Senior Vice President for North America, of Talent Works International

Facing significant workforce challenges, Comprehensive Healthcare launched a multi-year transformation to modernize HR, strengthen leadership, and build a sustainable recruitment engine. Learn about their strategy, key actions, and results and leave with practical frameworks to modernize HR systems, elevate leadership, and strengthen recruitment to drive organizational performance.

 Afternoon Break
 Sponsored by: Genoa Healthcare

 3:30 - 4:30 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Breakout Session 3

Promoting Parity Through Data: What Transparency in Coverage Means for Behavioral Health Providers

Presenter: Mindy Klowden MNM, Managing Director, of Third Horizon

This session explores how Transparency in Coverage rules give behavioral health providers new access to data for benchmarking rates, assessing parity, and strengthening payer negotiations. Attendees will learn how to use publicly available data to improve commercial and value-based payment negotiations and support real-time parity analysis to advance equitable reimbursement.

 3:30 - 4:10 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Breakout Session 4A

Doing More with What You Have: Using Partnerships to Support Sustainability

Presenters: Genoa Healthcare and mhca Member Partners

Amid ongoing financial pressure, this member panel moderated by Genoa Healthcare explores how strategic partnerships can act as extensions of the care team—improving efficiency, reducing strain, and supporting sustainability without added risk. Attendees will learn practical ways to leverage partnerships to lower costs, streamline workflows, reduce staff burden, and use shared data and insights to strengthen performance and continuity of care.

 4:10 - 4:30 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Breakout Session 4B

Healthy Inspiration and Reducing Risk in Community Behavioral Health

Presenter: Pamela A. Kennedy MS LPC NCC, Chief Patient Experience Officer, of Alaska Behavioral Health

This TED-style session shares the work Alaska Behavioral Health is leading to integrate health education, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to address depression and hypertension. The approach enhances patient engagement, accessibility, and adherence, thereby reducing symptoms and increasing EBP efficacy. 

 Mid-Way Mingle Reception
 Sponsored by:  LIO

All attendees and their travel companions are invited to join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

 7:30 - 8:30 am PDT (UTC-7) 

 Registration & Continental Breakfast
 Sponsored by:  MedTrainer

 General Session (Members only)
 Sponsorship Available! 

Leading Through the Storm

Presenter: Ted A. James MD MHCM FACS, System Physician Executive, of Endeavor Health

In an era of constant disruption, behavioral health leaders must navigate ongoing uncertainty, workforce constraints, and personal resilience. This session explores the neuroscience of sustained change, strategies for using AI to extend clinical capacity without adding headcount, and the critical role of executive self-care. Attendees will gain practical frameworks to stabilize teams in high-ambiguity environments, evaluate and govern AI as a workforce strategy, and build sustainable leadership practices that support long-term performance.

 10:00 - 10:30 am PDT (UTC-7)

 Morning Break
 Sponsorship Available! 

 General Session
 Sponsored by:  Martyn Family Foundation

Steering to Calmer Waters: Operating Community Behavioral Health in the Post-OBBBA Era

Presenters: David Kulick MPH, Senior Advisor - Strategy & Transformation; and Alex Rich, Senior Advisor; of Health Management Associates

Drawing on member insights and the OBBBA landscape, participants will examine key financial dynamics, demand–supply gaps, and areas of greatest margin pressure. After outlining the 18–36 month outlook, including emerging trends and scenarios, the session will highlight five actionable pathways across operations, service lines, payer strategy, and workforce. Participants will leave with practical guidance on where to start and how to move forward, grounded in real-world experience.

 Noon - 1:30 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Grab Lunch with a Few of Your mhca Peers

 THU Networking Lunch (Members only - seating is limited)
 Sponsored by:  Doxy.me

TBD

Presenter: TBD

  NOTE:   Limited to mhca Member CEOs only, and seating is limited. Please pre-register by RSVP'ing here:

• Register / RSVP

 1:30 - 3:00 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Breakout Sessions

Sustainability Without Compromise: The Case for Mission-Aligned For-Profit Subsidiaries

Presenters: Linda Rosenberg, Jonathan D. Evans MA, and Tania S. Malik JD, Co-Founders, of Behavioral Health Strategy

As financial pressures intensify, nonprofit behavioral health organizations are rethinking how to deliver care and sustain growth. This session explores how mission-aligned, for-profit subsidiaries can expand access for commercially insured populations, generate new revenue, and reduce reliance on public funding. Attendees will gain practical frameworks to evaluate this strategy, navigate mission alignment and stakeholder concerns, and position their organizations for long-term sustainability in a changing market.

Leading Through the Storm: Part 2 

Presenter: Ted A. James MD MHCM FACS, System Physician Executive, of Endeavor Health

Come dig deeper in this workshop-style follow-up session.

 3:30 - 5:00 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 mhca Board of Directors Meeting
 Chair:  C.J. Davis PsyD

 5:00 - 6:30 pm PDT (UTC-7)

 Elite Event
 Sponsorship Available!

Cap off the week with an unforgettable experience. This is your chance to connect and unwind with fellow leaders over food, cocktails/mocktails, and some surprise entertainment!