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.

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!

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.

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

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.

More details coming soon!

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

More details coming soon!

More details coming soon!

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!

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.

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

More details coming soon!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.