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Conference Sessions

Explore our comprehensive lineup of educational sessions designed to elevate your expertise

Pre-Conf

California Case Law Workshop

Sep 21 at 9:00 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

Knowing the law is one thing. Understanding how it is being interpreted, challenged, and applied in real-world cases is another. This three-hour workshop brings together three of California’s most respected workers’ compensation minds for a focused, high-impact review of the most consequential WCAB and appellate decisions shaping practice today.

David Pollak, Esq. Frank Christine III, Esq. Hon. Robert Rassp
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Pre-Conf

Health & Safety Leadership Alliance Workshop

Sep 21 at 9:00 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This interactive three-part workshop explores why complex workers’ compensation claims become costly and difficult to resolve, and what organizations can do to change that trajectory.

David Picone David Rios, MD, MPH Diana Adams Joseph Sousa Lorenzo Glenn Matt Hill, Esq. Ramsey Ali, PhD
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Pre-Conf

Medicare Secondary Compliance Workshop

Sep 21 at 9:00 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

Medicare secondary payer compliance continues to change and evolve. This three-hour workshop will provide a quick overview of these latest changes and their effect on claimants and payers.

Annie Davidson, Esq. Ciara Koba, Esq. Gus Ortiz John Cattie, Esq. Mark Popolizio, Esq. Patrick Czuprynski, JD, MSCC Rafael Gonzalez Esq
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Pre-Conf

Safety Culture Essentials Workshop

Sep 21 at 9:00 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This interactive three-part workshop equips attendees with actionable tools to strengthen workplace safety through better documentation, fatigue awareness, and environmental risk management.

Adam Lopez Gilbert Matias Glenn Thomas Ramsey Ali, PhD Ray Cheung Rocio Luna, CRIS Shelby Moreira, PsyD Timothy Kolacz Vianney Luis Quero, PsyD, CBSI
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Pre-Conf

Self-Leadership Workshop

Sep 21 at 9:00 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This interactive three-part workshop equips industry leaders with practical strategies to regulate stress, prevent burnout, and sustain peak performance in demanding environments. High-pressure work requires more than technical expertise, it requires the ability to lead yourself first.

Angel Guerra Becky Curtis Geralyn Datz, PhD, MP Joshua Shutts Kristin Carnovale Green Les Kertay, PhD Yvonne Guibert
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General Sessions

Opening Keynote: Performing Under Pressure

Sep 22 at 9:00 AM
Founders Ballroom

Jaelin’s talk is about showing up fully, in both the easy and the hard times, and finding a way to love the process along the way.

Jaelin Kauf
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Leadership Lab
Sponsored by Broadspire

Beyond the Red Flags: Leadership Decisions in Workers’ Compensation Gray Zones

Sep 22 at 10:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

The discussion focuses on building organizations where employees feel supported raising concerns early, leaders govern ambiguity consistently, and inquiry is valued over accusation.

Brent Rose Dyani Smith Patrick Carroll Roxana Figueroa
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Work Comp & Risk
Sponsored by CorVel

Bridging the Talent Gap with Mentorship and Innovation: Building the Next Generation of Workers’ Compensation Professionals

Sep 22 at 10:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

The discussion will focus on how structured mentorship programs help transfer institutional knowledge, accelerate skill development, and improve retention, particularly in technical and compliance-driven roles.

Amy Cooper April Willers Bridgette Ferraro John Molinar Shari Starkey
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Risk & Resilience Thtr.

What Can Your Broker Do for You? Rethinking Risk — Beyond the Policy

Sep 22 at 10:30 AM
Founders Ballroom

This condensed, high-impact 30 minute session explores what strategic broker partnership looks like in practice and how to identify critical gaps in your risk strategy.

David Chmiel John Brown Negar Matian Yolanta Petrofsky, MD, MPH
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Legal/Med-Legal
Sponsored by Hanna Brophy

What You Should Learn from the Applicant’s Attorneys

Sep 22 at 10:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

Gain a strategic edge by understanding how applicant attorneys think, prepare, and negotiate their workers’ compensation cases.

Andrew Lockard Hon. Alicia Hawthorne John Don Justin Litvack
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Risk & Resilience Thtr.

AI in Workers’ Comp: From Hype to Measurable Impact

Sep 22 at 11:30 AM
Founders Ballroom

This condensed, high-impact 30 minute session unpacks where AI is actually improving claim outcomes, reducing costs, and accelerating recovery, and where it still falls short.

Akhil Sachdev Gia Sawko Raja Sundaram
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Leadership Lab
Sponsored by Broadspire

Psychological Safety as Strategy: Improving Health and Claims Outcomes While Reducing Litigation Through Leadership and Empathy

Sep 22 at 11:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This session explores how leadership behaviors, communication practices, and organizational culture directly influence mental health outcomes, trust, return-to-work success, and litigation exposure.

Angela Cabado, RIMS-CRMP Geralyn Datz, PhD, MP Leticia Posada Sandy Avina, MBA Zacariah Bamfield
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Work Comp & Risk
Sponsored by CorVel

The Anatomy of a Stuck Claim: Costs, Incentives, and Early Resolution Moves

Sep 22 at 11:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

In this session, we dissect the anatomy of a stuck workers’ compensation claim and examine how financial incentives, on all sides, can unintentionally discourage timely resolution.

Alvaro Valdez, MBA Brent Daub Scynthia Syfrett Tara Virnick, JD. Whitney Brewer, RN
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Legal/Med-Legal
Sponsored by Hanna Brophy

The Judge(s) Panel is Always Right

Sep 22 at 11:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

Join a distinguished panel of work comp judges for a candid, behind-the-bench perspective on the issues that matter most in today’s hearings.

Clint Feddersen, Esq Hon. Alicia Hawthorne Hon. Douglas Webster Hon. Jennifer Kaloper-Bersin Hon. Robert Rassp
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Leadership Lab
Sponsored by Broadspire

Beyond the Hand-Off: Leading Alignment Across Claims, Care, and Return-to-Work

Sep 22 at 1:30 PM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This session challenges leaders to rethink the workers’ compensation continuum as a shared performance ecosystem rather than a series of disconnected transactions.

Rhia Gonzales Rupee Atwal Shamae Richards Tiffany Torres William (Bill) Zachry
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Risk & Resilience Thtr.

HR Partnership: The Trust Fall with a Safety Net

Sep 22 at 1:30 PM
Founders Ballroom

This condensed, high-impact 30 minute session provides practical strategies to identify and break down workplace silos while highlighting the importance of developing, implementing, and consistently enforcing effective HR policies.

Angel Guerra Angela Cabado, RIMS-CRMP Sandy Avina, MBA
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Legal/Med-Legal
Sponsored by Hanna Brophy

Psyche Medical-Legal Quality Assurance Checklist

Sep 22 at 1:30 PM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This panel brings together claims professionals, attorneys, and medical-legal experts to examine the essential elements of a defensible psychiatric report.

Bobbie McDonald, PsyD, QME Hon. Robert Rassp Matthew Howard Michael Seigler, MD Michelle Sebring
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Work Comp & Risk
Sponsored by CorVel

Where the Contract Ends and the Law Begins: Controlling Risk Without Crossing Lines

Sep 22 at 1:30 PM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This session helps risk managers and employers differentiate between what they think they can control and what the law actually dictates.

Eric Taylor Kurt Leisure Scynthia Syfrett Stacy Leal Teresa McGinity
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General Sessions
Sponsored by Brooks Rehabilitation

Industrial Athletes Deserve a Team: How Support Structures Transform Outcomes

Sep 22 at 3:00 PM
Founders Ballroom

This session is a discussion with clinicians who treat both elite athletes and catastrophically injured workers as we explore how we can apply this model to treating injured workers.

Jaelin Kauf Josh Schuette, DPT, MBA, WRP Luke Bongiorno, PT, MCMT Shelby Moreira, PsyD Yolanta Petrofsky, MD, MPH
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General Sessions

View From The CMO Suite

Sep 23 at 9:00 AM
Founders Ballroom

This session is an unscripted conversation with chief medical officers from insurance, third-party administration, occupational health settings and pharmacy benefit management.

Heechin Chae, MD, FAAPMR Marcos Iglesias MD, MMM Minh Nguyen, DO, MPH Robert Hall, MD Stuart Colburn
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Leadership Lab
Sponsored by Broadspire

AI Governance: Guardrails that Leaders Must Own

Sep 23 at 10:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

Attendees will explore how executives, claims leaders, legal teams, and operational stakeholders can responsibly integrate AI into workers’ compensation environments.

Akhil Sachdev Amalia Sanchez John Cattie, Esq. Shari Starkey Thomas Ash
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Legal/Med-Legal
Sponsored by Hanna Brophy

Evidenced-Based Causation

Sep 23 at 10:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

Our panel examines how medical and scientific evidence is evaluated to establish or challenge work-relatedness, from expert reports to peer-reviewed literature.

Alan Gurvey Darshan Patel, MD Douglas Gibb Julio Martinez William (Bill) Zachry
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Work Comp & Risk
Sponsored by CorVel

MPNs That Work: Control, Outcomes, and the Tradeoffs Nobody Wants to Admit

Sep 23 at 10:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

In this session, panelists compare employer-managed vs. TPA-managed networks and reveal the uncomfortable truths about access, provider quality, compliance, and cost.

David Rios, MD, MPH Joseph Sousa Sandy Avina, MBA Stacy Leal Tanya Parker
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Risk & Resilience Thtr.

My Adjuster Is Ignoring Me! The Real Story Behind the Top WC Misconceptions

Sep 23 at 10:30 AM
Founders Ballroom

This condensed, high-impact 30 minute session unpacks the facts behind the top WC misconceptions and identify where communication breakdowns occur.

David Chmiel Eric Taylor Shawna Forster Tristin Allmond
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Risk & Resilience Thtr.

AI Won’t Close Your Claims – Better Questions Will

Sep 23 at 11:30 AM
Founders Ballroom

This condensed, high-impact 30 minute session teaches how to use AI not to replace your expertise, but to help you ask the right questions that drive outcomes in Workers’ Compensation.

Eric Taylor Leslie Cadet, MD, QME Tristin Allmond
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Work Comp & Risk
Sponsored by CorVel

Beyond the Injury: Managing the Full Lifecycle of Mental Health and Stress Claims

Sep 23 at 11:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This session follows a psyche claim across its entire lifecycle, from the workplace dynamics that drive these injuries, through the high-stakes compensability decision, to the day-to-day handling that determines whether a claim resolves steadily or spirals into a drawn-out dispute.

Clarence Lee, MD, MBA Darshan Patel, MD Joseph Sousa Les Kertay, PhD Ron Heredia, EdD
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Leadership Lab
Sponsored by Broadspire

Compliance Under Pressure: Compliance Exposure in Undocumented Worker Cases

Sep 23 at 11:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This discussion will provide practical guidance for leadership teams managing claims in industries with large contingent labor populations, including agriculture, warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, and cannabis-related operations.

Anthony Culpepper Esq Bree Wallace Rafael Gonzalez Esq Raul Juvera SHRM-CP
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Legal/Med-Legal
Sponsored by Hanna Brophy

What Employers and Carriers Keep Getting Wrong and Cost-Savings Approach

Sep 23 at 11:30 AM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This session examines where the conventional approach breaks down and makes the case for other models and techniques that aligns employer, carrier, and injured worker interests toward faster, more cost-effective outcomes.

Kurt Leisure Lisa Hernandez, Esq. Melissa Steger Paul Kim, MD, QME Stuart Colburn
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General Sessions

Beyond the Algorithm: The Human Architecture of Modern Claims

Sep 23 at 1:30 PM
Founders Ballroom

This is NOT a session about whether AI belongs in our future. It does. This is a session about what algorithms cannot replace.

Brook Rosenbaum Christopher Schaffer David Chmiel Gia Sawko Yvonne Guibert
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Legal/Med-Legal
Sponsored by Hanna Brophy

Best Practices for Minor Concussion to a TBI with Neurological Compromise

Sep 23 at 3:00 PM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

This panel brings together medical, claims, and legal perspectives to examine how brain injuries are identified, managed, and adjudicated across the full severity spectrum in the work comp system.

Elizabeth Barravecchia Garland Tang, MD Jennifer Morris Jones Keith More Paul Marsh, DC, QME
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Leadership Lab
Sponsored by Broadspire

Confronting the Talent Cliff in Workers’ Compensation and Insurance

Sep 23 at 3:00 PM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

Through unflinching data, real voices from young professionals and interactive exercises, this session will confront the talent cliff, challenge long‑held assumptions and commit to concrete actions.

Carlos Luna David Chmiel Jeffrey Sickles Kaylee Bamfield Paola Stauffer
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Work Comp & Risk
Sponsored by CorVel

Pharmacy Trends and Risk: Navigating Complexity in Workers’ Comp

Sep 23 at 3:00 PM
Founders Hall 1st Floor

Despite declining prescription volume, pharmacy spending continues to rise and this session will discuss the insights from the Comp Pharma 20th Annual Study released in May 2026.

Dennis Sponer Heidi Hanna, PharmD, BCACP Raji Chadarevian Robert Hall, MD Tron Emptage, MA, RPh
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Attendee Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests from attendees must be submitted in writing to the Elevate Conference team. The following refund schedule applies:

90 Days or More Prior to the Conference

(On or before June 23, 2026)

A cancellation made 90 days or more prior to the event is eligible for a 50% refund (minus admin fees) of the total attendee fee. Alternatively, the attendee may choose to roll over 75% of the paid fees as a credit toward Elevate 2027.

Between 89 and 60 Days Prior to the Conference

(June 24 – July 23, 2026)

Cancellations received between 60–89 days prior to the event are not eligible for a refund. However, 50% of the paid amount may be applied as a one-time credit toward Elevate 2027.

Less Than 60 Days Prior to the Conference

(July 24, 2026 and after)

Cancellations received less than 60 days prior to the event are non-refundable. No credit or rollover will be offered due to the proximity to the event and expenses already incurred.

Substitutions

Attendees may transfer their registration to another representative within their organization or to another company at no cost. Substitutions must be submitted.

Event Cancellation by Organizer

If the organizer or Hotel Del Coronado cancels due to unforeseen issues (fire, pandemic, etc.), exhibitors and sponsors will receive a full refund (minus admin fees) or full rollover credit toward a future Elevate event.

Elevate logo

Thank you for your interest in Exhibiting or Sponsoring the Elevate Conference!

We are thrilled you are here. Elevate has grown into one of California’s most dynamic, relationship-driven conferences in the Workers’ Compensation and Risk Management community, and 2026 will be our biggest, most innovative year yet.

By completing the form below, you will be among the first to receive details on exhibit opportunities, sponsorship tiers, early-bird pricing, private event options, and all the new features coming to the 2026 Elevate Conference at the iconic Hotel del Coronado.

We look forward to learning more about your organization and exploring how we can create meaningful visibility, connection, and ROI for your brand at Elevate. Let’s build something unforgettable together!

Elevate 2025 wasn’t just a conference, it was a MOVEMENT. For three unforgettable days at the legendary Hotel del Coronado, leaders, innovators, and change-makers from across the workers’ compensation world came together with one mission: to redefine what this industry’s gatherings can be. And wow – we delivered. When preparation meets opportunity, magic happens.

Wednesday Night: The 3rd Annual Karaoke for a Cause roared back, benefiting Hazel’s Hands, founded by Dr. Tyrone Spears. Industry icons became rock stars. Together, we raised thousands for foster care and at-risk youth and had the time of our lives doing it!

Thursday Morning: Enter Coach Tyler Gillum, Head Coach of the world-famous Savannah Bananas. His keynote hit like lightning, daring us to embrace creativity, seize opportunities, and bet on ourselves. Just hours later, he and the Bananas brought that same energy to a SOLD-OUT Petco Park, proving that when you seize the moment, you can ignite not just a stadium, but an entire industry.

Thursday Afternoon: We made history with the very first Changemaker© Award Ceremony, presented by the Deconstructing Comp Podcast. This beautiful new tradition celebrates the leaders breaking barriers, driving progress, and inspiring true change in our industry.

Thank You, Sponsors & Exhibitors! Special appreciation to our Visionary Sponsor HUB International our Trailblazer Sponsor Agile Occupational Medicine. Your support is the heartbeat of this event, and this conference thrives because of you.

Cheers to the Education Committee! Led by Yvonne Guibert, with members Carlos Luna, Felicia Amenta, Sandy Avina, Stuart Colburn, Rafael Gonzalez, Hon Robert Rassp, Michelle Sebring, Joseph Sousa, Dawn Watkins, Scynthia Syfrett, and William Zachry – you created one of the most powerful lineups we have ever seen.

This past year proved that when opportunity knocks, we answer with energy, heart, and impact. This isn’t just about conferences. This is about championing the future of Work Comp, empowering leaders, and showing the NEXT GENERATION that our industry isn’t just IMPORTANT, it’s COOL!

Keep supporting one another, keep pushing boundaries, and keep Elevating! 

Why the Hotel Del Coronado is Worth It

We’re excited to welcome you to this year’s conference at the legendary Hotel Del Coronado—a significant step up in setting, style, and seaside charm. While the nightly rate is a bit higher than in years past, we want to share why this year’s experience is something truly special—and why the value is well worth it. We negotiated a fantastic rate for our attendees, including waiving the resort fee of $35 and reducing overnight self-parking to $30 per night.

Let's Compare:
Hotel Del Coronado 2025
Marriott Marquis 2024
Room Rate
$409
$279
Historic Fee
$15
N/A
Resort/Destination Fee
WAIVED ($35 savings) ✓
$25
Parking
$30
$45
Total Before Tax
$454
$349

What value do you receive for an additional $105 per night?

Location, location, location

Just steps from the magnificent Pacific Ocean, the Hotel Del Coronado offers breathtaking beach views, iconic sunsets, and historic architecture all in one place. Think beach walks with colleagues before and after sessions, morning coffee with an ocean breeze, and evenings under the stars with industry friends.

An iconic destination

Be among the first to experience the Del after a stunning $550M restoration spanning six years, including full revitalization of the hotel’s famed Victorian building and upgraded resort amenities.

A destination in itself

The Del offers a one-of-a-kind, resort-style experience where every detail—from the rooms to the grounds—feels like a retreat. Come early or stay late to unwind at the Del Spa and Salon, play a round of golf, or enjoy boating and other water activities in beautiful Glorietta Bay. New dining options on the property include Nobu Del Coronado and Veranda, along with several other fantastic spots: Serea, ENO Market & Pizzeria, Babcock & Story Bar, the Taco Shack, and Sundaes—home to gourmet gelato and hand-crafted paleta popsicles!

More than a conference—it's a memory

Just steps from the magnificent Pacific Ocean, the Hotel Del Coronado offers breathtaking beach views, iconic sunsets, and historic architecture all in one place. Think beach walks with colleagues before and after sessions, morning coffee with an ocean breeze, and evenings under the stars with industry friends.

Consider Sharing A Room

If the room price exceeds your company’s budget, consider sharing a room with a friend to make the experience more affordable and even more memorable.

It has been our dream to bring the ELEVATE® conference to this historic hotel, and we believe the Del’s iconic coastal setting reflects the quality of the program we’ve built—and expanded to two full days. We can’t wait for you to experience it with us.

Book your hotel room now!
Elevate logo

Stay Informed About Elevate 2026

Complete the form below to stay connected with event developments, early-bird registration opportunities, and program announcements.

Interested in Presenting at ELEVATE 2025?