Keynote Speakers

All session times are in Eastern Standard Time.

Opening Plenary Session

Friday, 20 March 2026

12:30-2:00 p.m. (1230-1400)

Sponsored by

Inclusive Learning as the Foundation of Healthy Work Environments

Healthy work environments begin long before policies or practice—they begin with how people learn, belong, and are valued. This opening plenary invites participants to reflect on a central truth: the same professional space does not offer the same experience or opportunity for everyone. Through narrative and research-informed insight, this session explores how learning environments can be experienced across different identities. Participants will examine how inclusive learning fosters psychological safety, trust, and communication—essential foundations of healthy work environments.

Expanding learning beyond the classroom, this keynote highlights the influence of these principles and everyday interactions on organizational culture. Grounded in intentional design and inclusive facilitation, the session demonstrates how small, deliberate choices in learning can shape workforce equity, retention, and patient outcomes. This plenary sets the tone for the convention, inviting attendees to engage with curiosity, reflect on their environments, and commit to one meaningful action to advance inclusive learning and healthier work environments.

VanessaCameron

Vanessa Cameron

PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CEN CNL

Vanessa Cameron, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CEN, CNL, is a Nursing Professional Development Specialist and has held roles in academia, centralized and decentralized continuing education, and clinical leadership. She has a current focus on nursing continuing professional development, inclusive learning, and increasing awareness and equity for disability within healthcare.

Vanessa became disabled after 10 years in nursing and is now a full-time wheelchair user. This experience has helped her redefine what inclusion looks and feels like, and the widespread impact it has in the learning and work environments.

She holds a PhD in Nursing from George Washington University with a focus on inclusion in the workplace for disabled nurses, and runs an education and consulting business focused on inclusivity, professional development, and ableism.

Closing Plenary Session

Sunday, 22 March 2026

11:00 a.m.-Noon (1100-1200)

Reimagining Our Collective Role: Moving From Overwhelm to Ownership

What if transforming healthcare began not with a policy or program, but with how we show up as people and professionals?

In this transformative closing keynote, Ama Mathewos invites nurses and nurse leaders to reimagine their collective role in creating healthy work environments by moving from overwhelm to ownership. At a time when the challenges facing healthcare can feel relentless, this session offers a grounded, human approach to change, one that begins with personal agency rather than pressure.

Ama challenges participants to see themselves as culture shapers who can influence change at every level and in every setting, regardless of role or title. She reframes leadership as a daily practice rooted in presence, intention, and responsibility. Ownership, in this context, does not mean doing more or carrying everything alone; it means recognizing and leading the piece that is yours.

Through reflection and lived insight, attendees are encouraged to identify the one thing they care deeply about and the influence they already have to shape their work environments in meaningful ways. By shifting from overwhelm to purposeful ownership, nurses can reconnect with what is possible, individually and collectively.

This closing keynote invites participants to leave with clarity about how they want to show up, confidence in their ability to lead from where they are, and a renewed commitment to creating the work environments our profession deserves.

Ama Mathewos Headshot Fall 25

Ama Mathewos

MPA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, CTA-CC

Ama Mathewos, MPA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, CTA-CC, is a visionary leader, executive coach, and Board-Certified Advanced Nurse Executive with 20 years of industry experience. As the CEO of Evolve Lead Succeed, she partners with healthcare organizations to reimagine nursing leadership, developing leaders who drive engagement, elevate team performance, and create thriving workplace cultures in an AI gen z era.

A strategic and results-driven nurse executive, Ama has led high-performing teams to exceptional clinical and operational outcomes. Her defining achievement was guiding a post-merger team through immense challenges, unifying them into a culture of clinical excellence that ultimately achieved the coveted Magnet® designation. She has consistently delivered industry-leading results, including:

● 90%+ employee retention and zero RN turnover for nearly two years
● A 325% increase in nurse certifications over four years
● Sustained outperformance of NDNQI benchmarks for eight+ consecutive quarters
● 100% reduction in CLABSI and CAUTI rates and a 73% decrease in falls

As an executive and leadership coach, Ama believes the answers reside within each leader, waiting to be uncovered through introspection and action. She brings a powerful combination of warmth, accountability, and strategic insight, helping organizations equip their nurse leaders with the skills, mindset, and strategy to lead with confidence, build high-performing teams, and drive lasting organizational success.

Authentic, insightful, and deeply committed to leadership evolution, Ama Mathewos is the trusted advisor healthcare organizations turn to when they are ready to redefine nursing leadership and achieve lasting impact.