Vijay Agarwal, MD, President and CEO, Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO) 

Dr. Vijay Agarwal, a crusader for continual quality improvement in healthcare, has a vision to raise the bar of Indian healthcare organizations to match global standards, through CAHO, which is a national body of repute for promoting patient safety, healthcare quality protocols, and accreditation. 

He was instrumental in the country adopting pulse polio strategy for polio eradication, and he also played a key role in shaping the Bio Medical Waste Management Scheme in Delhi. 

He was a member of the ISRO Health Quest Project, a unique collaboration between space scientists and healthcare professionals to take the country closer to the goal of “error-free” healthcare. 

He is a post-graduate in paediatrics from the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. He commenced his professional career in 1973 and has, over the decades, earned a sterling reputation as a paediatrician and has been recognized by IMA as Hon. Professor. 

Kirsten Armit is the Director of Research at the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM). She is responsible for developing and delivering FMLMs research strategy. Her work involves the promotion and dissemination of research insights, contributing to and collaborating on healthcare leadership research, and developing FMLMs academic and practitioner networks and partnerships. Kirsten is a PhD (Management) candidate at Bayes Business School, City, University of London.

Kirsten started her career in health service management in Australia and since moving to the United Kingdom has been involved in national organisations focused on improving healthcare leadership. Kirsten was involved in the project to develop FMLM, was the founding manager and has held many leadership roles since its inception. She has led on a wide range of initiatives to support members and fellows, including producing the professional leadership standards (1st edition), establishing membership and fellowship, and creating products and services such as the FMLM360. She has co-created a portfolio of leadership development programmes and support to serve individuals, teams and organisations. Kirsten has also been responsible for developing FMLMs first research strategy and has led a range of projects in collaboration with professional and academic colleagues.

Kirsten is an Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) and holds Fellowship ad hominem of FMLM. She is qualified in several leadership psychometrics and approaches and contributes to the education and training of postgraduate students.

Dr. Lorena Cifuentes is the Postgraduate Director at the School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile since September 2019. She has been in charge of all the postgraduate activities throughout the pandemic. She is a pediatrician, with a Diploma in Clinical Teaching. From the beginning of her academic life, after her residency in Pediatrics, Dr. Cifuentes has been involved in residency training. She was a member of the Pediatric Residency Program Committee between 2000 and 2019, with a special participation in the development of a research program for the residents. Dr. Cifuentes has also been a member of the PGME Committee from 2008 to 2010, and from 2014 onwards. During the first period, she was in charge of the development and implementation of the first global assessment methodology for all the residency programs in PUC. She was the first Associate Director for the Master Programs at the School of Medicine between 2014 and 2019, participating in the development of 3 of the 7 existing programs and in several national accreditation processes. Her other field of expertise is evidence-based medicine, being an active teacher for postgraduate students and faculties.

Carsten Engel, MD, CEO, International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) 

Dr. Carsten Engel joined the International Society for Quality in Health Care (IS Qua) as CEO on the 1st of May 2021. He has 18 years of experience in quality improvement, preceded by 19 years of clinical frontline service and clinical management. From 2006-2021 he worked with IKAS, the Danish Institute for Quality and Accreditation in Health Care, and, since 2010, as Deputy Chief Executive. There he was a leading member of the team that developed and implemented the Danish Healthcare Quality Programme, a series of accreditation projects that have performed over 6000 accreditations, reaching all providers in almost all sectors of Danish healthcare. Carsten obtained a M.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry from the University of Copenhagen 1977 and graduated as a physician 1984; he holds specialist recognition as an anaesthesiologist. 

Marion Colleen Erickson is a Dakelh grandmother (Ut’soo) from the Nak’azdli community and a member of the Lasilyu (Frog) Clan. An active community member who participates in the balhats (potlatch) system, she believes that cultural identity is the foundation of health and wellness, and is committed to improving the health and wellness of First Nations. 

A former two-term Chief of Saik’uz First Nation, Colleen is a recognized community leader and veteran member of the RCMP. She currently teaches part-time at her local college, focusing mostly on Aboriginal Studies.

Colleen has a Master’s degree in Education, with a special focus on the traditional philosophies of Carrier teachings. 

Colleen’s past board experience includes roles within local government, Elder society and business and she has held numerous school district appointments. She brings a wealth of negotiation, financial administration, mediation and leadership skills to the FNHA board, as well as extensive cultural and traditional knowledge.

Leila Gillis RN MN FCAN has been a Registered Nurse for 33 years and is a Canadian career federal public servant, currently serving as Indigenous Services Canada’s Deputy Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Director of Primary Care Services. In her Deputy CNO role, she is responsible to perform many key leadership functions in the national department including union – management negotiations, occupational health and safety and recruitment and retention for a national nursing workforce of nearly 900 nurses. She has a personal and professional commitment to the Indigenous reconciliation agenda including, the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, specifically number 22, 23 and 24. Gillis regularly works across health jurisdictions collaborating with provincial, national and international nursing organizations and has significant experience at all of these levels having participated in numerous task forces and professional collaborations. As a volunteer, she was elected to a one year term in the 2022 Canadian Nurses Association Board of Director elections and serves on the Editorial Advisory Committee of the Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership. Gillis was named as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing in 2021.

Maria Judd leads Healthcare Excellence Canada to accelerate change, working closely with colleagues and partners to shape the organization’s long-term strategy and identify and deliver new initiatives. Her portfolio includes cross cutting priority areas such as patient partnerships and Indigenous health.

A physiotherapist and epidemiologist by background, and NHS Quality and Safety Fellow, Maria brings a passion for healthcare improvement, and a patient-first perspective, that has evolved from her diverse roles within the health system as a community health centre board member, clinician, program manager and researcher. She was previously CFHI’s Vice-President, Programs. In this capacity, Maria played a key role in CFHI’s evolution, including strategic planning, partnership development and the creation and implementation of new programs. 

Cameron Stockdale, Ed.D, LLM, MA, President & CEO Work Wellness Institute (Conference Sponsor); Senior Associate Faculty, City University of Seattle 

Dr. Cameron Stockdale is a leader, researcher, and change-maker recognized for his contributions to the fields of law, innovation, leadership and organizational behavior. Drawing on his background as a former paramedic, Dr. Stockdale brings a unique perspective to his work. With an academic background and a passion for making a positive impact, Dr. Stockdale’s work seeks to be a driving force transforming organizations and progress across multiple sectors.

Armed with a Master of Laws related to Innovation and Technology (Edinburgh), a Master of Arts in Leadership (Guelph), a Post-Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior (Harvard Ext.), and a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership (Creighton), Dr. Stockdale possesses a unique and diverse skill set that positions him at the forefront of innovation and change.

As the CEO of the Work Wellness Institute, Dr. Stockdale spearheads groundbreaking research endeavors in workplace health and wellness. Through his leadership, the organization bridges the gap between academia and industry, harnessing cutting-edge research findings to develop resources and programs that empower employers in fostering healthy and thriving work environments.

Dr. Stockdale holds an academic appointment as Senior Associate Professor at City University of Seattle, sits on various nonprofit Board of Directors and is sought-after speaker because of his thought-provoking guidance to practitioners seeking to navigate complex challenges and actionable strategies for effecting meaningful change.