The NIC Spring Conference is proud to showcase an incredible lineup of women speakers shaping the future of senior housing and care. From transformative innovators to thought leaders on the main stage, this year’s program highlights the brilliant minds and compassionate hearts driving meaningful change in our industry.
Join us in celebrating these remarkable women as we spotlight their expertise, their stories, and their impact. Let their voices inspire us to envision a brighter future for aging adults everywhere.
Innovation Lab Speakers: Pioneers of Progress
The Innovation Lab is a space where bold ideas meet actionable insights, and this year’s female speakers are at the forefront of change:
- Suzanne Koenig: Providing skills in operations improvement, staff development and quality assurance.
- Julie Simpkins: New and strategic perspectives on growth initiatives and marketing in the service-enriched housing sector.
- Edie Smith: Serving the age-qualified housing sector for nearly 30 years.
- Terry Spitznagel: Responsible for all UCH senior living and affordable housing operations, as well as developing new business lines.
- Eva Arant: Fostering a thriving organizational culture and delivering exceptional care.
- Erin Hennessy: Two decades of success building disruptive innovations.
- Vassar Byrd: Envisioning new and innovative ways to serve older adults.
Main Stage Speakers: Voices of Vision and Leadership
This year’s main stage is packed with powerhouse women driving conversations around health, housing, and equity:
- Astha Chopra: Her commitment to wellness and preventive care is inspired by her grandfather’s legacy.
- Catherine Field: Expanding Humana’s value-based provider relationships.
- Jessica Johnson: Providing critical banking services to senior housing and skilled nursing nationwide.
- Dr. Katy Lanz: Two decades of success building disruptive innovations.
- Lynne Katzmann: 20 properties in four states, more than 1200 employees, and $65 million in revenues.
- Lisa McCracken: Driving research with nationally recognized partners to help the next generation of senior housing and care leaders.
- Kristi Oliver: Driving operational excellence and financial performance.
- Dr. Catherine O’Brien: Sparking innovation and advancing the senor living and aging services industry.
- Laurie Schultz: Balancing real estate investments with forward thinking healthcare trends.
- Jennifer Wong: Sourcing and managing AEW’s healthcare investments.
- Anne Tumlinson: Advising the nation’s top public and private leaders in healthcare.
- Colleen Blumenthal: Appraising and consulting for seniors housing and care properties for 30 years.
- Stephanie Boreale: Building clinical operations and innovative strategies for whole person wellness.
The 2025 NIC Spring Conference is your opportunity to learn from these extraordinary women and more. Together, we’ll redefine what’s possible in senior housing and care. Explore the full program here and register now.