Watch the full 2026 National Convening here:

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Schedule:

8:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.

• Innovation Expo

9:00 A.M.

• Opening & Welcome Remarks: Launching the National Blueprint for Action
  
  • Steve Schwab, CEO, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
  • Anita Whitehead, President & Chair, KPMG Foundation
    

9:20 A.M.

• Presenting Sponsor Remarks & Introduction of Keynote
  
  • David McIntyre, President & CEO, TriWest Healthcare Alliance

9:25 A.M.

• VA Spotlight: Creating a Culture of Care at the VA
  
  • Secretary Doug Collins, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Steve Schwab, CEO, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

9:55 A.M.

• The Future of Caregiving: Role of Technology, AI, and Innovation
  
  • Marvell Adams Jr, CEO, Caregiver Action Network
  • Vanessa Chism, Dole Caregiver Fellow
  • Harish Hemmige, President & CEO, BCG Federal Corporation / Managing Director and Senior Partner, BCG
  • Ali Madad, Founder, GiveCare / Creator, InvisibleBench
  • Amartyo Sen, Member, Government GTM Team, OpenAI

10:40 A.M.

• Introduction: Congressman Jack Bergman
  
  • Wayne Peacock, Vice-Chair, Elizabeth Dole Foundation Board of Directors / Former President & CEO, USAA

10:45 A.M.

• Remarks
  
  • Congressman Jack Bergman
  • United States House of Representatives
  • Lieutenant General, United States Marine Corps, Retired

10:55 A.M.

• Partners in Action
  
  • Liz Porter, Sector President, Health and Civil, Leidos
  • Tim Husted, COO, Sharecare
  • Chip Fulghum, CEO, Endeavors

11:15 A.M.

• Influencer Spotlight
  
  • TikTok Influencer, Internet Chef, and Army Veteran Daven Gates

11:25 A.M.

• Caregiver Spotlight
  
  • 2026 Dole Caregiver Fellow Elizabeth Musselman

11:40 A.M.

• Break

11:50 A.M.

• Breakout Groups: The Blueprint by Role: What Leadership Looks Like
  
  • Policymakers & Advocates
    
    • Meredith Beck, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
    • Faye Fernandes, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
    • Jacqueline Larsen, Dole Caregiver Fellow
    • Mary Lazare, Administration for Community Living
    • Jocelyn Mallette, North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
  • Providers & Payors
    
    • Tim Cooke, Orlando VA Medical Center
    • Dr. Lori Highberger, TriWest Healthcare Alliance
    • Deidra Jackson, Dole Caregiver Fellow
    • Amanda Roberts, OptumServe
    • Julia Rollison, RAND
  • Philanthropy & Nonprofits
    
    • Emily Bader, Bob Woodruff Foundation
    • Scott Bane, John A. Hartford Foundation
    • Ashley Bunce, Wounded Warrior Project
    • Dara Parker, Dole Caregiver Fellow
  • Communicators
    
    • Daven Gates, @OneStopChop
    • Joe Mendrala, TikTok
    • Johnny Vargas, @VivaLaVargas

12:30 P.M.

• Lunch & Networking

1:30 P.M.

• Workshops: Shared Outcomes, Shared Responsibility
  
  • Advancing Wellbeing: Innovations in Mental and Emotional Wellness
    
    • Dr. Megan McCormick, Thrive Center for Children & Families, Georgetown University
    • Denise Mundy, Dole Caregiver Fellow
    • Dr. Tracy Neal-Walden, Cohen Veterans Network
    • Dr. Colleen Richardson, VA Caregiver Support Program
    • Terri Tanielian, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
  • Sustaining Economic Mobility: Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
    
    • Jenna Bryant, Dole Caregiver Fellow
    • Madison Moore, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
    • Melissa Reed, EMD Serono
    • Wendi Safstrom, SHRM Foundation
  • Fostering Supportive Ecosystems: Caregiver Integrated Care
    
    • Leah Christensen, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
    • Dr. Roxana Delgado, UT Health San Antonio
    • Mary-Ella Majetich, Dole Caregiver Fellow
    • Jennifer Milton, Joan Wish Endowed Professorship in Transplant Surgery, Malú and Carlos Alvarez Center for Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Surgery & Innovation
    • Monica Rosser, Maximus
  • Supporting Children & Families: Navigating the Hidden Helper Journey
    
    • Kate Blackburn, Nemours
    • Kara Dallman, Our Military Kids
    • Christine Hauge, Wounded Warrior Project
    • Lisell Pacheco, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
    • Seylah Stephens, Hidden Helper Advisory Council

2:35 P.M.

• Break

2:45 P.M.

• Caregiver Action Network Remarks
  
  • Marvell Adams Jr, CEO, Caregiver Action Network

3:00 P.M.

• Closing Plenary: Advancing a Culture of Caregiving
  
  • Dr. Lynda Davis, Chief Veterans Experience Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Jeff DiLullo, Chief Region Leader, Philips North America
  • Dr. Robert Miller, Associate Vice President, UT Health San Antonio
  • Anna Palmer, Founder & CEO, Punchbowl News
  • Steve Schwab, CEO, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

3:45 P.M.

• Presentation of the Lifetime Leadership Award
  
  • Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

4:10 P.M.

• Presentation of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Distinguished Caregiver Award
  
  • Wayne Peacock, Vice Chair, Elizabeth Dole Foundation Board of Directors / Former President and CEO, USAA
  • Elizabeth Rotenberry, Director of Caregiver Engagement, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

4:20 P.M.

• Closing Remarks
  
  • Steve Schwab, CEO, Elizabeth Dole Foundation