*Thank you to the session support of these local chapters!

Keynote Speaker

William Jahmal Miller, MHA

Wm. Jahmal Miller is Chief Administrative Officer of Mercy Medical Group. Previously, Miller served as System Vice President with CommonSpirit Health, where he focused on advancing health for all people and national health equity and inclusion initiatives. In 2013, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Miller to serve as the Deputy Director of the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity and the State’s lead advisor on issues related to reducing health and mental health disparities and achieving health equity for all Californians. Miller also serves on the American Psychological Association’s Presidential Health Equity Task Force and on the California Endowment’s board of directors. Touro University recognized Miller in April 2017 with the Mosaic Achievement Award, recognizing his efforts to advance the cause of diversity and inclusion. Miller is recognized as a national thought leader and an expert on issues pertaining healthcare strategy, public health, health equity, mental health and public policy.  

Featured Speakers

Courtnee Melton-Fant, PhD

Evaluating Policy with An Equity Lens

Courtnee Melton-Fant, PhD, MS, is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Systems Management and Policy. Before joining the University of Memphis, Dr. Melton-Fant worked for a state-level public policy research center providing information and analysis to policymakers, the media, and the general public.

Dr. Melton-Fant has experience conducting both academic and non-academic research ranging from clinical trials and health outcomes to analysis of state-level health care reforms for policymakers and advocacy groups. Her research interests include state- and local-level public policy, health outcomes, and racial health inequities. She is particularly interested in how broad-based public policies can be used as tools to improve the health of populations.

Nina Irani Surya

How to Meet with your Legislator

Nina Irani Surya is a speech and leadership coach with more than 25 years of experience working with C-suite and high-level executives in Fortune 500 firms, politicians, and public figures in the entertainment industry.

As CEO of UniqueSpeak Consulting, Nina specializes in integrating cutting edge neurological findings with time proven communication techniques to create a hybrid of high performance in all levels of presentation, communication and leadership. 

As creator of the acclaimed “Ground of Being”™ methodology, Nina has taught numerous coaches and consultants the techniques for which she has become known globally. She has led programs in 23 countries on 5 continents, and has guest lectured around the world on topics related to communication, leadership, and brand delivery.

Danielle Cendejas

How to Run for Office or Serve on Advisory Committees

Danielle Cendejas is a strategist with more than 15 years of experience working on campaigns. In 2009, she joined the Strategy Group’s Los Angeles office after working as an organizer on President Barack Obama’s campaign. Danielle has managed the development and execution of direct mail programs, most notably for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Congressman Salud Carbajal, and the California Labor Federation. Committed to building a bench of women leaders, she conducts candidate training sessions with Emerge America, Emerge California, and Vote Run Lead. In 2018, she was recognized by the American Association of Political Consultants with their 40 Under 40 Award.