There's a lot to look forward to at this year's Summit.

WHEN TO ARRIVE

The WBL Summit takes place from Monday, March 17 to Wednesday, March 19 in New Orleans. Our program will feature content from healthcare’s top thought leaders and intimate networking with your peers.

An optional welcome reception will take place on Sunday, March 16. We encourage you to arrive early to get settled in and enjoy extra time networking with fellow attendees!

WHAT TO EXPECT

The WBL Summit provides the unbeatable experience of being surrounded by women who will understand and support you. Attendees are guaranteed to leave with valuable new friendships, renewed motivations, and fresh ideas that will benefit their companies, leadership, and personal lives.

The Summit agenda is not finalized and is subject to change.

Sunday, March 16, 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dress for Success Donation Drive

Join us in making a difference by participating in our "Success is in the Bag" donation drive! We’re collecting new or gently used handbags, totes, and fashionable backpacks filled with essential items to help others thrive. Suggested items to include are hand lotion, sanitizer, wallets, note planners, pens, USB drives, thank you notes, lip balm/gloss, compact mirrors, and gift cards to stores like Walgreens, Walmart, or Target—or even a $20 "treat yourself" gift! Your thoughtful contributions will go a long way in empowering someone in need. Let's give the gift of confidence and care—one bag at a time!

Donations will be accepted at our registration desk at any time during the Summit.

 
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Spa Networking

Take some time to treat yourself and join other WBL members for a unique networking opportunity at the Ritz Carlton New Orleans Spa. A select group of WBL Summit attendees will have the spa to themselves in order to meet one another and build relationships in a relaxing setting. Participants will have their choice of two 25-minute spa massage or facial treatments. This session is designed to keep you moving (leisurely, of course) around so that you will meet a variety of women leaders that you might not get a chance to meet elsewhere. This one always sells out, so book early!

 

 
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception

Say hello to your fellow WBL Summit attendees as they arrive and kick off the experience of the 2025 WBL Summit! Join us for an evening of networking and delicious food and drinks. Get ready to mingle and make valuable connections.

 
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Dinner on Own
 
 
Monday, March 17, 2025
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Networking Walk/Exercise Session

Start your morning right with an energizing exercise session or networking walk with fellow attendees before the day's programming kicks off.

 
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Breakfast
 
 
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Welcome to the WBL Summit

Join Summit emcee Carole Fisher for the kickoff of the 2025 WBL Summit! During this introductory session, Carole will welcome attendees to New Orleans and walk us through what’s to come over the next few days of programming.

Carole Fisher
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Opening Keynote

More details coming soon!

Valerie Montgomery Rice
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Remarks from WBL Leadership

Join WBL Founder and Board Chair Lynn Shapiro Snyder and WBL CEO Eleanor Rosiak as they welcome attendees to the Summit, provide updates on our organization, and share what they are looking forward to during our time in New Orleans

Eleanor Rosiak Lynn Shapiro Snyder
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
A Conversation with Karen Lynch

More details coming soon!

Karen Lynch Katie Bell
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
 
 
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
The Innovative Healthcare Trends Driving Change Today

More details coming soon!

Joanne M. Conroy, MD Lynn Shapiro Snyder
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Roundtable Networking

WBL's roundtable networking is a great way to meet new people and make valuable connections. During this session, attendees answer questions and respond to prompts related to healthcare, their jobs, and their interests. Each person has the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their experiences, ideas, and insights, leading to meaningful conversation and the chance to dive deeper with peers. If you've come to the Summit seeking new connections and relationships, this part of the program is not to be missed!

 
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Where Are They Now? Revisiting Startup Leaders from Previous Summits

Women-led companies are shaping the future of our industry — and startups in particular play a key role in driving innovation. This highly anticipated session will revisit past Summit panelists: founders and CEOs of trailblazing health care and life sciences startups. Discover how these companies have evolved, the challenges they’ve overcome, the lessons they’ve learned, and the successes they’ve celebrated since they last took the Summit stage.

Shanel Fields Jessica Harthcock Pooja Goel
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Reception and Dinner
 
 
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Networking Walk/Exercise Session

Start your morning right with an energizing exercise session or networking walk with fellow attendees before the day's programming kicks off.

 
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
 
 
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast (Invitation Only)
 
 
9:20 AM - 9:55 AM
Tackling Burnout and Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace

More details coming soon!

 
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Health 2035: A Bold Path Through the Uncharted Future of Health

What does the future hold for healthcare in the next decade? After an intensive year of research, Kristin Apple thinks she's got an idea. Drawing on input from the next generation of physicians and leading industry visionaries, Kristin will unveil the key barriers and drivers shaping innovation over the next ten years. This keynote will explore three critical innovation territories and offer actionable strategies to help leaders and their teams navigate and thrive in the evolving landscape of healthcare.

Kristin Apple
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Discussion Groups

A popular networking session at WBL’s Summits, peer discussion groups are a way to make connections and participate in valuable, productive conversations with industry experts at the same time. Attendees will meet in small groups to ask questions, share experiences, and offer advice to one another on topics of interest to healthcare leaders today.

 
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
 
 
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Self-Assembly: Breaking Free from External Expectations

When a man told Katya Andresen she was “running too loud” during a workout, she was rendered speechless — and not just because she was out of breath. She was preoccupied with a nagging question: What does it take to stop running from the expectations of others and start running your own race? In this keynote, Katya, a seasoned healthcare and technology executive, will explore how to tune out the unsolicited advice women receive day after day and instead focus on your unique experiences as the keys to unapologetic independence.

Katya Andresen
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Keynote
 
 
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Reception and Dinner
 
 
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Second Line Parade and Dine-Around

Join us for an unforgettable evening with an optional dine-around, sampling the vibrant flavors of New Orleans at renowned local restaurants. Before dinner, immerse yourself in the city's lively culture with a traditional Second Line Parade, complete with brass bands and spirited dancing through the streets. This unique experience captures the heart and soul of New Orleans' rich culinary and musical heritage, and you'll share it with your fellow WBL Summit attendees.

 

 
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
DJ Dance Party
 
 
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Networking Walk/Exercise Session

Start your morning right with an energizing exercise session or networking walk with fellow attendees before the day's programming kicks off.

 
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM
Breakfast
 
 
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
How to Win Business: Driving Growth through Authentic Connection

In today’s evolving marketplace, success goes beyond numbers — it’s built on authentic, human connections. Modern buyers and clients seek partners who understand their unique needs and deliver customized value, creating an opportunity for forward-thinking leaders to drive growth through genuine relationships.

During this session, communication and relatability expert Rachel DeAlto will share proven strategies for executives to embrace this shift, focusing on personalized, trust-building interactions, strengthening communication to truly understand customer needs, and fostering long-term, meaningful relationships. Attendees will learn how to cultivate a customer-centric culture that inspires loyalty, fuels growth, and achieves lasting success.

Rachel DeAlto
Building a Team Based on Trust and Collaboration

Two things separate the best leaders and organizations from the rest: how they make decisions and how they solve problems. World-class leaders embrace responsibility for overcoming the barriers that hinder effectiveness and efficiency.

Leaders create culture. It’s one of the greatest contributions you can make. Look around in your organization or your team. Listen to what is said. Pay attention to what is left unsaid.  What are the behaviors that define your culture?

Some behaviors accelerate trust. Some behaviors damage trust.

During this interactive session, Tracy Johnson, CEO of InitiativeOne, will distill lessons from 25 years of research and experience into a pathway forward. You will leave with practical steps to help you build a collaborative, high-trust team that increases results.

Tracy Johnson
10:00 AM
Summit Concludes
 
 

The WBL Summit is a safe oasis for a diverse group of women leaders to recharge, reconnect, and perhaps even redefine their career or business pathways. The women you meet at the Summit expose you to amazing leaders who demonstrate courage, lend professional support, and fearlessly advocate for your success.

— Bergitta E. Cotroneo, Chief Operating Officer, American College of Physicians

The Summit will leave you feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to advance the healthcare industrywith a community of like-minded leaders by your side.