Speakers

Rich Braken
Keynote Speaker on Emotional Intelligence
Founder and CEO, Unstoppable Solutions
EQ + Music | Soundtrack for Success
April 30, 2026 | 8:30am - 9:45am
Breakout: EQ | Boosting Culture & Performance Through EI
April 30, 2026 | 11:30am - 12:30pm
Rich Bracken is an engaging keynote speaker and executive coach known for his dynamic storytelling and entertaining style. He seamlessly blends data, research, and emotion to deliver powerful insights that inspire sustainable positive change.

Rich is also the Brand Ambassador for TalentSmartEQ, the #1 emotional intelligence research and training company in the world. This allows him to bring a differentiated level of emotional intelligence insights and strategies for his audience.

Leveraging his expertise in emotional intelligence, executive presence, and leadership, Rich infuses his presentations with the energy and creativity honed from his experience as a national touring DJ. His keynotes are not just informative but also captivating performances that resonate on both personal and professional levels.

Rich has partnered with numerous Fortune 100 companies and global organizations, offering keynote speeches and consulting services that leave a lasting impact. A familiar face on national media, he is also a trusted presentation and public speaking coach to executives and celebrities nationwide.

Recognized by Smart Meetings as a National Top Speaker, Rich’s creative, empathetic, and performative keynotes have set him apart in the world of professional speaking.

Charlotte Pineda
Vice President, Health Policy and Advocacy
American Association of Neurological Surgeons / Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Lunch + Business Meeting
April 30, 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:45pm
Charlotte Pineda is the Vice President of Health Policy and Advocacy for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. In this role, she spearheads advocacy efforts on behalf of the neurosurgical field, working closely with policymakers, federal agencies, and stakeholders to influence health policy affecting neurosurgeons and their patients. Her leadership encompasses a broad range of issues, from Medicare reimbursement and prior authorization reforms to workforce sustainability. Charlotte’s strategic guidance ensures that neurosurgeons’ perspectives are well-represented in Washington, bolstering neurosurgery’s impact on key legislative and regulatory issues.

Prior to her current role, Charlotte spent nearly a decade as a successful legislative staffer in US Congress. She served as health policy director for US Senator Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS), and as a professional staff member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP). In these positions, she collaborated with other committee staff, federal agencies, and diverse stakeholders to address pressing issues. Before her work with Senator Marshall, she was the health policy advisor to US Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where she contributed to legislation on the opioid crisis, drug supply chain security, and reauthorization of essential public health programs. Earlier in her career, Charlotte held the role of Health Policy Fellow to the late Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), assisting with landmark legislation like the 21st Century Cures Act and other drug pricing policies. Throughout her tenure, she championed dozens of bipartisan bills on prescription drug pricing, maternal health, pandemic preparedness, and public health. She also advanced numerous policies to improve program integrity across federally-funded programs.

She began her career in government relations as an associate for the Delta Dental Plans Association and has contributed to research and policy initiatives with organizations such as Resources for the Future and the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

Charlotte received a BA degree in government and international relations from the University of South Florida and a Master of Public Policy from George Mason University. She also studied Finance and Marketing at Columbia University.

Kate Zentner
Associate Principal
Sg2
Neurosciences Landscape Update
May 1, 2026 | 10:00am - 11:00am
As part of the Intelligence team, Kate leads the development and delivery of Sg2’s neurosciences, spine and orthopedics offerings, working closely with clients to provide comprehensive research- and analytics-driven strategic intelligence.

In her current role, she has contributed to projects including the annual development of Sg2’s Impact of Change® forecast, numerous white papers and service line–focused consulting engagements. She has been an invited speaker at national meetings for organizations such as the Neurosurgery Executives’ Resource Value and Education Society and the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology as well as at Medtronic’s Neuroscience Healthcare Executive Summit. She regularly speaks at planning retreats, web seminars and other events on trends related to the neurosciences and spine landscape, evolution of stroke care, and more. Previously, Kate supported Sg2’s behavioral health intelligence projects and publications on a range of enterprise strategy topics.