Known to many as “America’s Educator,” Ron Clark is the 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year, a two-time New York Times Bestselling author, the subject of a television movie and the founder of The Ron Clark Academy. Ron is regularly featured on network and cable television (The Today Show, CNN and Oprah,) and was dubbed by Ms. Winfrey as her first “Phenomenal Man.”
Jess Evans, Ph.D., is the Associate Vice Chancellor and the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Vanderbilt University. She moved to Nashville, TN, in November 2022, from Arizona, where she served as the IT Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CIO leading all enterprise IT operations and all digital transformation efforts at Arizona State University.
Dr. Evans holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems from Kent State University and a Ph.D. in Management, Designing Sustainable Systems from Case Western Reserve University, where she earned the highest academic award, Beta Gamma Sigma Honors, and the Student Leadership award as a doctoral student at CWRU.
As a published researcher and scholar, Dr. Evans has received multiple awards and recognitions for her work in IT, including Top 100 Women in Technology by Global, Technology Magazine (2021), and Most Influential Women in Tech by World Leaders Magazine (2022).
Dr. Evans’ research specializes in design thinking, quantitative methods, structural equation modeling, knowledge structures, credible leadership, and leadership effectiveness. She is a frequent speaker on innovation, transformation, and technology leadership while also being an active member of the IT community serving on multiple boards.
Mr. Feroz Merchhiya is an award-winning CIO/CISO of the City of Glendale, AZ, a Board Member of The Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Technology (AEHIT), a Member of InfraGard and a member RWC Executive Committee. Mr. Merchhiya is a technology executive at the helm of transformative initiatives for the City of Glendale
Mr. Merchhiya is directly responsible for the city of Glendale’s strategic use of technology to improve processes, capture data, deliver insights, and enhance services while maintaining a resilient technology ecosystem. As the city’s chief technologist, Mr. Merchhiya leads the implementation of complex technology initiatives. In addition, Mr. Merchhiya holds several industry certifications, such as Zero Trust Strategy Certification, CGEIT, CDPSE, and CRISC.
Jonathan Manis, a veteran health care information technology leader, currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for CHRISTUS Health of Irving, Texas. A Catholic Health Ministry serving communities across four countries, CHRISTUS Health is one of the nation’s largest faith-based provider organizations. With more than 55,000 physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and Associates, CHRISTUS Health operates more than 70 acute care hospitals and hundreds of primary care clinics across the southwestern United States and in Latin America.
Manis is a seasoned CIO with more than 25 years of IT leadership experience. He joined CHRISTUS Health in 2019 from California-based Sutter Health where he served as Senior Vice President and CIO for more than 13 years. Prior to Sutter, Manis served as System Vice President and CIO for Provena Health of Chicago, Illinois. Earlier in his career, Manis served as Vice President of Information Services for Advocate Healthcare in Chicago, Illinois and as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Sterling Health of Miami, Florida.
Diane Drexler sets the vision for nursing and patient care at Community Memorial Hospital in Ojai and Ventura, the Community Memorial Health Centers. Her steady leadership helped our organization weather the most challenging parts of the pandemic and protect the safety of the community we serve. Diane developed and implemented COVID-19 procedures for two acute care facilities, managed pandemic staffing challenges, and created the Winter Surge Plan for both Community Memorial Hospital campuses and the Community Memorial Continuing Care Center.
Diane has been an accomplished healthcare executive and nursing leader in California and Arizona for more than three decades, including stints as Chief Nursing Officer for Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in Prescott, Arizona. Vice President of Patient Care Services for Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Chief Nursing Officer for Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix Arizona. During these years of operational leadership she has implemented shared governance models, implemented multiple new EMRs, spearheaded new program development, reduced RN turnover, overseen service excellence improvements and has been a strong advocate
Diane received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She also earned a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and an MBA, both from Arizona State University in Phoenix Arizona. Dr. Drexler is a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow Alumnae (2007-2010). She was selected to attend the Johnson & Johnson Wharton Fellows Nurse Executive Leadership Program 2006 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Aresty Institute of Executive Education. Dr. Drexler is a current Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Amanda is the Co-Founder and CEO of AI for Education. A former high school biology teacher and EdTech executive with over 20 years of experience in the education sector. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that AI can offer. She is a frequent consultant, speaker, and writer on the topic of AI in education, leading workshops and professional learning across both K12 and Higher Ed. Amanda is committed to helping schools and teachers maximize their potential through the ethical and equitable adoption of AI.
Ken Hogue is a seasoned executive leader specializing in revenue cycle optimization, operations, and patient financial services within the healthcare sector. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Revenue Cycle Management at United Health Services, he brings extensive experience from various leadership roles across prominent healthcare organizations. With a strong educational background in Business/Corporate Communications from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Ken has developed a keen understanding of the intersection between finance and healthcare operations. His career trajectory reflects a commitment to enhancing financial performance in nursing care facilities and hospitals. Ken’s expertise encompasses strategic planning and operational efficiency, making him a valuable asset in the healthcare landscape. He is passionate about driving innovation and improving patient financial services, aiming to create a more sustainable and efficient healthcare system.
