Beyond The Algorithm: Preserving Human-Centered Care In The Digital Era
As AI transforms the landscape of health care,  Kaiser Permanente continues to put people first. In this visionary keynote, Richie Grantham, Senior Manager, Health Innovation at Kaiser Permanente, explores how one of the nation’s leading integrated health systems is using AI not to replace human care, but to enhance it. Discover how Kaiser Permanente is weaving cutting-edge technology into its deeply rooted, people-first philosophy—enhancing clinical decision-making, supporting care teams, and building stronger, more trusting relationships with patients.
Becoming A Technology First Organization With Keystone Human Services
Organizations are looking to make the move beyond traditional operational models and embrace a technology-first mindset. This session will explore what it means to lead with technology – not just in tools and systems, but in terms of outcomes and person-centered care. Whether you’re early in your digital journey or working to accelerate it, this session will provide strategic insights and case studies to guide your path forward as a technology-first organization.
Key takeaways include:
- Developing the leadership and culture necessary for digital transformation
- Identifying and scaling the right technologies to improve outcomes and efficiency
- Leveraging data to enhance performance and patient satisfaction
Nathan Gerhard
Nathan Gerhard serves as the Associate Executive Director of Intellectual Disabilities Services at Keystone Human Services in Pennsylvania. With over two decades of experience in the field of Intellectual Disabilities in both Pennsylvania and Maryland, Nathan is currently concentrating on expanding the use of enabling technology and remote supports throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Since 2018, he has been spearheading the initiative to incorporate independent living technology into conventional service models beginning with two residential homes in North Central Pennsylvania. By 2024, Keystone expanded its reach to more than 130 locations, aiding over 250 people with independent living technologies embedded within their natural support systems in their service delivery models.
AI In Action: Adapt, Accelerate Or Fall Behind
Sponsored By: 
Delve into the present and future of behavioral health with an unfiltered examination of AI’s tangible impact. Join industry leaders as they discuss effective strategies, common pitfalls, and transformative applications that are revolutionizing care delivery. Discover how innovative organizations leverage AI to enhance efficiency, improve outcomes, and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Transforming The Consumer’s Experience Through A Tech-Enabled Journey
Today’s health care consumers expect seamless, personalized, and convenient experiences—similar to what they receive in other industries. This session explores how technology is reshaping the consumer journey from access and engagement to care delivery and follow-up. Attendees will learn how leading organizations are leveraging digital tools such as patient portals, mobile apps, AI-driven support, remote monitoring, and integrated communication platforms to enhance satisfaction, improve outcomes, and build lasting loyalty. Designed for health care leaders, this session provides practical insights into building a tech-enabled consumer experience strategy that meets evolving expectations while maintaining clinical excellence.
Kim Sonafelt, MS, LPC, CADC
Kim serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Mainstay Life Services, a nonprofit organization supporting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities throughout Western Pennsylvania. Kim has over three decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit and human service sectors. Kim is known for her visionary leadership, strategic innovation, and deep commitment to advocacy and person-centered support.
Under Kim’s leadership Mainstay has expanded its reach, strengthened its use of data and technology to improve outcomes, and has launched forward thinking initiatives focused on inclusion, independence and quality of life. Her approach centers on advocating for equity in disability services and empowering individuals and families through tailored supports.
Kim holds a master’s degree in psychology and is a licensed professional counselor and a certified alcohol and drug counselor.
What CEOs Should Know About Privacy & Cybersecurity
In an era of increasing cyber threats and evolving privacy regulations, behavioral health care organizations face unique risks and responsibilities. This session is designed specifically for CEOs and executive leaders to understand the critical intersection of privacy, cybersecurity, and behavioral health. Attendees will gain insight into the latest regulatory developments (including HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and state laws), emerging cyber threats targeting behavioral health data, and the reputational and operational impacts of breaches. The session will also offer strategic guidance on building a security-conscious culture, investing in the right protections, and preparing for audits or incidents. Equip yourself with the knowledge to lead confidently and protect your organization’s most sensitive assets.
The State Of AI In Human Services: Findings From The Netsmart & OPEN MINDS Executive Survey
Sponsored by: 
Based on a national digital survey of senior executives in health and human services, conducted by OPEN MINDS and sponsored by Netsmart, this session benchmarks where organizations truly stand on the AI maturity curve. Attendees will gain a clear, data-driven view of how peer organizations are approaching AI, identifying the proportion still in exploration versus those piloting or fully integrating AI into operations. The discussion will highlight the strategies and capabilities that distinguish the “very prepared” adopters, and present a phased roadmap for adoption designed to deliver measurable ROI. Participants will leave with actionable insights into how early adopters are leveraging AI to enhance care delivery, improve efficiency, and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Advanced Operations & Clinical Service Delivery Through AI Innovations
Explore the latest advancements, as well as the pitfalls and risks, in clinical care powered by artificial intelligence. Presenters will discuss how AI is revolutionizing patient diagnoses, treatment plans and overall care delivery. Join us to hear more about cutting-edge technologies, including machine learning and predictive analytics, that are enhancing decision-making, improving outcomes, streamlining health care processes and aiding in the issue of workforce shortages. Plus, hear the disadvantages and risks to look out for when implementing the latest AI innovations as they develop at a rapid pace.
Shalom Lichtenstein, MSN, FNP-BC
The Great Debate: The Promise & Peril Of Using AI In Behavioral Health
Join this exciting discussion (or debate) of the topic of the year – the role of AI in behavioral health. In the past 12 months, we’ve seen a significant increase in the adoption of the use of AI in diagnosis, clinical documentation, and treatment planning. There has been growing consumer use of ChatGPT for therapy. Provider organizations are increasingly using AI to analyze clinician sessions. And, the State of Illinois just enacted legislation prohibiting the use of AI for diagnosis, creating treatment plans, or therapy. Joining our fireside chat is Kyle Hillman, the Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Association of Social Workers-Illinois. Mr. Hillman wrote the legislation, The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (House Bill 1806), recently enacted in Illinois – and was the lead organizer and lobbyist for its passage.
The current state of AI in behavioral health is something akin to “the wild west”. This timely discussion, facilitated by OPEN MINDS Chief Executive Officer Monica E. Oss, will provide expert perspectives on the potential for AI in the field – and the potential pitfalls for the field, for health plans, and for provider organizations.
Kyle Hillman, MA, CAE, CMM, CMP
Addressing Financial Sustainability: Executing – And Paying For – Multi-Layered Systems Upgrades
Adapting to the evolving workplace, changing reimbursement models, ever-increasing payer and regulatory demands, and managing a hybrid delivery system—compromising virtual, in-office, and in-home teams – presents unique execution and financial challenges. Based on an organization’s size and scale, how organizations respond may differ significantly. This case study session will explore best practices for small, medium, and larger provider organizations to manage costs, optimize resources, and ensure financial sustainability across diverse work environments while investing in systems upgrades. Attendees will learn how to successfully integrate financial strategies to balance the complexities of associated systems to manage hybrid teams, ensure efficient budgeting, resource allocation, and performance tracking, and meet payer reporting demands.
Thomas Grant
Tom Grant was appointed Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for Woods Services in March, 2016. Mr. Grant engages in short and long-range strategic and operational growth planning for the organization. He brings more than 20 years of finance and strategy consulting experience to the organization. Prior to coming to Woods, he ran his own management consulting firm specializing in efficiency initiatives, leadership, strategic planning, turn-arounds, and business development needs of both non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses. In this role, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Archway Programs in New Jersey.
Before launching his own company, he held similar management consulting positions with a number of business development companies. Mr. Grant has counseled clients on a wide range of topics including process optimization, cash flow management, fund raising, structure, best practices, profitability and pricing arrangements. He also has worked as an emerging markets analyst in Thailand, Hong Kong, and a number of South American countries. Mr. Grant holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business of the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College.
Closing Keynote
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement and rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.