Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
Visionary Sponsor
Trailblazer Sponsor
San Diego’s pre-eminent, must-attend
Work Comp EXTRAVAGANZA of the year!
- SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 | PRE-CONFERENCE ALLIANCE OF WOMEN
- SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2025 | ELEVATE® CONFERENCE
-
Hotel del Coronado,
San Diego, CA
Tyler Gillum
Head Coach | Savannah Bananas
🍌⚾️🎤 GO BANANAS!
We are beyond thrilled to announce that Tyler Gillum, Head Coach of the viral sensation Savannah Bananas, will be the 2025 Keynote Speaker at the ELEVATE® Conference – September 2-4, 2025 at the legendary Hotel del Coronado in San Diego!
Known for their showstopping brand of baseball, Banana Ball, the Savanah Bananas are taking the nation by storm – selling out baseball and football stadiums coast to coast, expected to draw over 2 MILLION fans this season, and boasting a jaw-dropping 3 MILLION+ people on the ticket waitlist this year!
At the helm is Coach Gillum – educator, entrepreneur, servant leader, and the man behind the mantra “Bet on yourself.” From growing up on the rodeo circuit to building championship teams, to helping create Banana Ball with owner Jesse Cole, Tyler’s journey is one of resilience, vision, and unstoppable energy.
September 2-4, 2025
3 Days of Innovation & Inspiration
Hotel del Coronado
San Diego, CA
Keynote: September 4, 8:30 AM
Main Stage - Ocean Ballroom
His message is powerful: Serve others, create unforgettable moments, and bet on yourself. No matter what role you serve in the Workers’ Compensation arena, Tyler’s story will inspire you to swing big and play to win.
On Thursday, September 4 at 8:30 AM, get ready for an unforgettable keynote that will have you laughing, learning, and leaving ready to take bold action.
This is bananas – in the best way possible!
What Attendees Say
“Most impressive”
5/5
I can’t wait to attend #ELEVATE2025! By far the best workers' compensation and risk management conference in the US!
“It's a fantastic event”
5/5
I am excited to attend ELEVATE® 2025!! Last year was an amazing event for workers' comp, safety and HR. I won't miss it!! Great topics!! Great networking!! Great people!! Great everything!
"Exceptional!"
5/5
I have been to 2 of these events and they are exceptional, extremely well run, so much valuable information!
About #ELEVATEWORKCOMP
This annual event is all about championing the cause to improve Workers’ Compensation, tackling some of the system’s most important challenges and inspiring leaders to make a difference in their sphere of influence. Bring your curiosity, ideas and desire to learn. Leave with lasting connections, practical tools and some serious Workers’ Compensation sophistication.
ELEVATE® Agenda
An action-packed agenda will set sail soon at this must-attend Work Comp event.
ELEVATE® Sessions
Our sessions provide an unmatched opportunity to engage, learn, and connect with others.
ELEVATE® Exhibitors / Sponsors
ELEVATE® guarantees attendees access to top service providers in the Work Comp arena.
Get Ready For #ELEVATEWORKCOMP
On May 22-23, 2024 make plans to join 600+ like-minded Work Comp professionals at the ELEVATE® Workers’ Compensation & Leadership Conference in beautiful San Diego at the stunning Marriott Marquis.
May 22: Pre-Conference
Exhibitor Setup / 2nd Annual Karaoke for a Cause Charity Benefit
May 23: ELEVATE® Conference
Exhibitor Row / Education / Happy Hour / Live Concert – CC&R Band
Attention Exhibitors / Sponsors
Exhibitors and Sponsors will be in the midst of all the action. This means more awareness, more dialogue, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean throughout the entire day.
Don't Miss Out and Book Today!
In May 2024, Work Comp professionals gathered for an unforgettable experience at the 2024 ELEVATE® Workers’ Compensation & Leadership Conference. Along with host company Akeso Occupational Health and proud Diamond Sponsor HUB International, we "Sailed into Summer" in the stunning setting of San Diego's Marriott Marquis. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and presenters for their invaluable participation.
We kicked off the conference with our 2nd Annual Karaoke For A Cause event, benefiting Hazel’s Hands. This electrifying evening combined networking, music, and philanthropy, setting a new standard for charitable events and creating unforgettable memories with our guests.
ELEVATE® is dedicated to advancing Workers’ Compensation by tackling the system’s most significant challenges and inspiring leaders to make a meaningful impact.
Like-Minded Work Comp Professionals
Master Presenters Power-Packed Sessions
This conference offers CEU Credits
San Diego’s Must Attend Work Comp Event
Like-Minded Work Comp Professionals
Master Presenters Power-Packed Sessions
San Diego’s Must Attend Work Comp Event
This conference offers CEU Credits
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ELEVATE® 2025 Agenda
An action packed agenda will ignite at San Diego’s Must-Attend Work Comp extravaganza of 2025!
Pre-Conference Day
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Alliance of Women Pre-Conference Session | Coronet Room
- 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Registration Desk Open | Carousel Room
- 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Exhibitor Install | Carousel Room & Ocean Ballroom
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Pre-Conference Attendee Experience
Day 1
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
- 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Sunrise Beach Walk Benefiting Kids’ Chance of California
- 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Exhibitor Install | Carousel Room & Ocean Ballroom
- 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Registration Desk Open | Carousel Room
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Morning Coffee/Tea & Expo | Carousel Room & Ocean Ballroom
- 9:10 AM - 9:30 AM
Welcome & Announcements | Ocean Ballroom
- 9:30 AM - 10:20 AM
General Session 1 | Ocean Ballroom
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Networking Break & Expo | Carousel Room & Ocean Ballroom
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions | Coronet, Magnolia, Pearl Rooms
- 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Lunch | Windsor Lawn
- 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Networking Break & Expo | Carousel Room & Ocean Ballroom
- 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions | Coronet, Magnolia, Pearl Rooms
- 2:55 PM - 3:55 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions | Coronet, Magnolia, Pearl Rooms
- 4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
General Session 2 | Ocean Ballroom
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Welcome Reception | Windsor Lawn
Live Music by Jason Graham
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
3rd Annual “Karaoke for a Cause” | Ocean Ballroom
Day 2
Thursday, September 4, 2025
- 6:00 AM - 7:00AM
Sunrise Activities: Yoga, Spin
- 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration Desk Open | Carousel Room
- 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Morning Coffee/Tea & Expo | Carousel Room & Ocean Ballroom
- 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Welcome & Announcements | Ocean Ballroom
- 8:45 AM - 9:35 AM
Keynote Presenter | Ocean Ballroom
- 9:35 AM - 10:05 AM
Meet/Greet, Networking Break & Expo | Carousel Room & Ocean Ballroom
- 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM
General Session 3 | Ocean Ballroom
- 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions | Coronet, Magnolia, Pearl Rooms
- 12:05 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch & Changemaker© Awards | Windsor Lawn
- 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Networking Break & Expo | Carousel Room & Ocean Ballroom
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions | Coronet, Magnolia, Pearl Rooms
- 3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
General Session 4 | Ocean Ballroom
- 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Closing Celebration Reception | Windsor Lawn
Live Performance by CC&R
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Exhibitor Dismantling | Ocean Ballroom
2023 Recap
LET'S GET EXCITED! #ELEVATEWORKCOMP
Tickets
Make plans to join like-minded Work Comp professionals in beautiful San Diego for some serious Workers’ Compensation sophistication.
Professional Ticket
Early Bird Pricing
Through June 16
$449
- HR
- Risk
- Safety
- Claims
Total: $449
Service Provider Ticket
Early Bird Pricing
Through June 16
$595
- Attorney
- Consultant
- Service Provider
- Broker
- Physician
- Sales
- Business Development
Total: $595
Sessions at a Glance
Explore our carefully curated general sessions and specialized breakout tracks to customize your conference experience.
General Sessions
Wed Sept 3 | 9:30 AM
GEN1
The Economics of Engagement: Creating Value Through Worker-Centered Care
Industry leaders share real-world strategies for engaging injured workers. Learn how advocacy, empathy, and tech-driven care can boost recovery and deliver financial value.
Wed Sept 3 | 4:10 PM
GEN2
Meet Kai, Your New Claims Assistant!
See a live demo of Kai, an AI-powered assistant that brings empathy to claims handling. Discover how AI can improve communication, support injured workers, and empower claims professionals.
Thurs Sept 4 | 10:05 AM
GEN3
Refining Workers' Compensation through Public Policy & Market Innovation
Explore the evolution of workers’ compensation, as experts review pivotal policy milestones and discuss why innovation has stalled. Gain insight into future pathways for meaningful change.
Thurs Sept 4 | 3:10 PM
GEN4
The Road to Recovery: A Conversation with Injured Workers
Hear firsthand from injured workers and clinicians about recovery journeys and lessons learned. Gain unique perspectives on what works—and what can be improved—in the workers’ compensation system.
Breakout Tracks
Track 1
Work Comp and Risk Essentials
Explore practical strategies for managing complex claims, improving workplace safety, and driving successful outcomes in workers’ compensation through early intervention and effective communication.
Track 2
Legal & Med-Legal Issues
Gain expert perspectives on evolving legal challenges, compliance, and medical-legal evaluations, with actionable insights to navigate litigation and regulatory changes in workers’ compensation.
Track 3
Leadership Toolbox
Discover leadership tools for fostering wellness, navigating organizational change, and building strong workplace cultures in the ever-evolving world of workers’ compensation.
Event Speakers
Meet our industry experts who will be sharing their knowledge and insights at the upcoming event. Click on the session codes to view detailed information about each presentation.
Jeffrey
Adelson
Partner
Bober, Peterson and Koby LLP
Sessions:
Felicia
Amenta
Sr. Manager, Workers’ Comp Program
SD/Imperial Schools Risk Mgmt. JPA
Sessions:
Dan
Anders
Chief Compliance Officer
Tower MSA Partners
Sessions:
Jesus
Arredondo
Director of Safety West coast Region
StaffmarkGroup
Sessions:
Thomas
Ash
Principal
Consortium Solutions Consulting Group
Sessions:
Sandy
Avina
JPA Claims Services Manager
California Schools JPA
Sessions:
Dalene
Bartholomew
CEO
Dayta Group
Sessions:
William
Beattie
National Sales Executive
CCMSI
Sessions:
Barry
Bloom
Managing Principal
The bdb Group
Sessions:
Leslie
Cadet
Founder/CEO
ASCEND Occupational Medicine Consulting
Sessions:
Heechin
Chae, MD
Senior Medical Director, VP Medical Ops
Institutes of Health
Sessions:
David
Chmiel
SVP, North America Director of Claims
HUB International
Sessions:
Frank
Christine III
Senior Partner
Tobin Lucks, LLP
Sessions:
Doug
Clark
Assistant Vice President Client Relations
Sedgwick
Sessions:
Stuart
Colburn
Co-author, TX Workers” Comp Handbook
Downs & Stanford, PC
Sessions:
Zack
Craft
VP of Complex Claims
MTI America
Sessions:
Annie
Davidson
SVP of Legal Affairs & Compliance
Sanderson Firm, PLLC
Sessions:
John
Don
Applicant Attorney
Law Office of John A Don
Sessions:
Bridgette
Ferraro
CEO
iCopy Legal
Sessions:
Roxana
Figueroa
Claims Manager
TCI Transportation Services
Sessions:
Heywood
Friedman
Founding Partner
Friedman Bartoumian
Sessions:
Rafael
Gonzalez
Attorney
Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC
Sessions:
Yvonne
Guibert
VP, Education Strategy
Institutes of Health
Sessions:
Alan
Gurvey
Managing Partner
Law Firm of Rowen, Gurvey & Win
Sessions:
Eric
Guzman
Human Resources/Risk Analyst
City of Beaumont
Sessions:
Brenna
Hampton
CEO
Work Comp By Design
Sessions:
Kenneth
Hernandez
Chief Risk, Safety, Asset Mgmt. Officer
LA Metro
Sessions:
Matthew
Howard
Workers’ Comp Supervisor
City of Pasadena
Sessions:
Duane
Johnson
VP, Marketing / Partner Relations
Institutes of Health
Sessions:
Angie
Jung
Co-Founder & Chief Education Liaison
ISYS Solutions Inc.
Sessions:
Les
Kertay
Chief Medical Officer
Ascellus
Sessions:
Mario
Latona
Injured Worker Panelist
City of San Diego
Sessions:
Kurt
Leisure
VP, Risk Services
The Cheesecake Factory
Sessions:
Adam
Lopez
Senior Loss Control & Risk Consultant
Sedgwick
Sessions:
Carlos
Luna
Founder
LUNA LNQ
Sessions:
Gene
Ma, MD
Occupational Health Physician
Healthcare Executive
Sessions:
Negar
Matian
President Managing Attorney
Matian Law Group Inc.
Sessions:
Keith
More
Managing Partner Bentley & More
Bentley & More LLP
Sessions:
Shelby
Moreira, PsyD
Forensic Psychologist
Institutes of Health
Sessions:
Sara
Mulick
SVP, Sales & Marketing
The IMA Group
Sessions:
Dr. Minh
Nguyen
Chief Medical Officer
Agile Occupational Medicine
Sessions:
Robert
Nickell
CEO
Pharmco
Sessions:
Joe
Paduda
Principal
Health Strategy Associates LLC
Sessions:
Tanya
Parker
AVP, Client Engagement
Safety National Casualty Corporation
Sessions:
Lisa
Paroly
CEO
RehabWest
Sessions:
Yolanta
Petrofsky, MD
Medical Director
NorthBay Healthcare
Sessions:
Louis
Porrazzo
VP, National Accounts
ExamWorks
Sessions:
Hon. Robert
Rassp
Presiding Judge WCAB
LA District Office
Sessions:
Phillip
Remaker
Sr. Director, CX Innovation & Tech
Pure Storage, Inc.
Sessions:
Justin
Romine
Vice President, Global Claims
Marriott International
Sessions:
Amalia
Sanchez
Insurance Manager
Los Angeles Unified School District
Sessions:
Amalia
Sanchez
Insurance Manager
Los Angeles Unified School District
Sessions:
Gia
Sawko
EVP, Chief Claims Officer
Signal Mutual
Sessions:
Josh
Schuette
Director, National Work Comp Sales
Brooks Rehabilitation
Sessions:
Michelle
Sebring
Partner
Laughlin Falbo Levy & Moresi, LLP
Sessions:
Melissa
Shute
President / Nurse Case Manager
Infinity Nurse Case Management
Sessions:
Les
Shute
President
Kairos Labs
Sessions:
Joshua
Shutts
Neuro COTA/L
Brooks Rehabilitation
Sessions:
Jeffrey
Sickles
Chief Claims Officer
Broadspire
Sessions:
Bridget
Smith
SVP, National Accounts & Settlement
IMPAXX
Sessions:
Joseph
Sousa
Workers' Compensation Program Manager
City of San Diego
Sessions:
Dr. Tyrone
Spears
Division Chief
City of Los Angeles
Sessions:
Scott
Stettler
Founding Partner
Siegel, Moreno & Stettler
Sessions:
Raja
Sundaram
CEO
Plethy
Sessions:
Alex
Swedlow
Past-President
California Workers’ Compensation Institute
Sessions:
Scynthia
Syfrett
Workers' Compensation Risk Manager
Sharp HealthCare
Sessions:
Garland
Tang, MD
Board Certified Neurologist
Institutes of Health
Sessions:
Eric
Taylor
Claims Supervisor
Corvel Corporation
Sessions:
Kimberely
Tilley, PsyD
SVP, Clinical Administration
Institutes of Health
Sessions:
Elizabeth
Trimm
Partner
Hanna Brophy
Sessions:
Neetu
Trivedi
Regional Manager
Select Medical
Sessions:
Dawn
Watkins
Chief Risk Officer (Retired)
Los Angeles Unified School District
Sessions:
Hon. Douglas
Webster
Workers' Compensation Judge WCAB
WCAB San Diego District Office
Sessions:
Dr. Kayvon
Yadidi
Chief Medical Officer
Akeso Occupational Health
Sessions:
William
Zachry
Strategic Advisor
Plethy
Sessions:
🎉 The Official ELEVATE® Conference 2025 Shirt is Here — And It GLOWS!
Product Details
- Two colors available: White + Natural
- Price: $20
- Pick up your shirt on Wednesday, September 3 during the conference
- Perfect for the GLOW Party!
Supporting a Good Cause
A portion of your shirt purchase helps fund Hazel’s Hands (Dr. Tyrone Spears), supporting foster care and at-risk youth across SoCal.
Visionary Sponsor
HUB International
Insurance Brokers
HUB International is a proud supporter of the ELEVATE® Conference.
When you partner with HUB, you’re at the center of a vast network of risk, insurance, employee benefits, retirement and wealth management specialists that bring clarity to a changing world with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy.
So you’re ready for tomorrow.
- September 3-4, 2025
There is a feeling that you come to at Hotel del Coronado. Enveloped by the simple luxuries of sun, sea, and time together, your senses engage, and you’re transported into The Del state of mind.
Book Now
To receive a special discounted room rate for the event at the Marriot Marquis. Please click the button below.
Visionary Sponsor
Trailblazer Sponsor
© 2025 Elevate Work Comp. All Rights Reserved.