Speakers
- Home
- Conference
- Speakers
Marisa Hamamoto
Transformational Movement Artist, Speaker, and Changemaker
The first professional dancer to be named People Magazine “Women Changing the World”, and named InStyle Magazine Badass 50, adidas "women reimagining sport," CBS News “People Making a Difference”, and featured on Good Morning America and NBC Today, Marisa is an award-winning Transformational Movement Artist, Speaker, and Changemaker dedicated to creating a more inclusive just world where we can each feel alive, not just survive.
Marisa’s lived experiences of her body repeatedly not being accepted as a dancer, her Japanese American identity not fitting the box in many spaces and surviving a stroke that initially paralyzed her from the neck down, eventually led her to create Infinite Flow in 2015, an award-winning nonprofit dance company that advocates for disability inclusion. A few years into devoting her life to disability inclusion advocacy, Marisa was diagnosed with two invisible disabilities: PTSD (2021) and Autism (2022). The diagnoses brought much clarity to challenges she’s coped with throughout her life.
Marisa is passionate about transforming forward-thinking businesses through keynotes, performances, and content that inspire inclusivity and move hearts, bodies, and minds, so that their teams become more connected, purpose-driven, and alive. She has shared the stage with Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, and has brought unique unforgettable keynote presentations and performances, to some of the biggest enterprises in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Red Bull, NBCUniversal, Deloitte, PayPal, International Monetary Fund, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, Porsche, McKinsey & Co, Clifford Chance, amongst other brands.
Since 2015, Marisa has led Infinite Flow to perform at over 200 events, from large global events to local school assemblies & community festivals. Heading the creative & artistic direction, Infinite Flow’s videos have tracked over 100 million views across social media. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Marisa spearheaded Infinite Flow to turn its in-person elementary school assembly program into a virtual program, launching Scoops of Inclusion, a 47-minute short film celebrating diversity and empowering kids to take an active role in creating a more inclusive world where we each feel we belong.
General Education Speakers
Ruth Plotkin Shumaker
Executive Leadership and Perioperative Management Consultant
A past national AORN President and recipient of the Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing, Ruth is renowned for her expertise in perioperative care.
Louie Ang
Perioperative Nurse Educator
Louie has experience in many different organizations and is a vital part of any team.
Ben Marthey
Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant
Ben's expertise in leveraging simulation has been instrumental in enhancing the proficiency and confidence of surgical teams.
Maria Raffucci-Cooper
Clinical Director of the Cardiovascular Operating Room
Maria is passionate about team development and fostering a positive OR culture.
Marissa Tierney
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Marissa's career spans pediatric and cardiovascular ICUs, perioperative services, and academic nursing.
Leadership Summit Speakers
Joanne Oliver-Coleman
Nurse Mentor
Joanne has been a leader in legislative advocacy for the protection of perioperative nurses and patients.
Carol Pehotsky
Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Surgical and Procedural Services
Ms. Pehotsky is an expert in perianesthesia nursing a podcast host.
Ayumi Fielden
Professional Practice Leader and Accredited Provider Program Director
Ayumi’s work elevates nursing practices through evidence-based policies and strategic education.
Elizabeth Williams
Perioperative Clinical Operations Nurse Manager
With a diverse background including roles as a staff nurse, RNFA, and board charge nurse, Williams currently serves as a clinical operations nurse manager.
Teodor Grantcharov
Professor of Surgery and Associate Chief Quality Officer
With extensive expertise in human factors, healthcare innovation, and clinical research, Dr. Grantcharov continues to advance surgical safety worldwide.
Kayla Simiele
Nurse Education Manager
An experienced leader and educator, Kayla has mentored colleagues and implemented quality initiatives.
Phyllis Quinlan
President
Phyllis Quinlan is a nurse entrepreneur, healthcare consultant, and certified personal and career coach.
Laura Gayton
Director of Outpatient Surgery
An AORN Board Member, Laura has contributed to perioperative leadership and patient engagement initiatives.
Caitlin Smith
Director of Nursing for Perioperative Services
Caitilin is dedicated to improving team engagement and patient care through innovative leadership in the perioperative environment.
Carol Applegeet
System Vice President for Perioperative Services
Carol has held roles as a staff nurse, educator, manager, and director and is the author of numerous articles on perioperative nursing.
Saurabh Kukreti
Director of Perioperative Business Operations
Mr. Kukreti's expertise in strategy and operations drives his commitment to optimizing healthcare delivery and enhancing efficiency across perioperative services.
Marjorie Wall
Leader in Sterile Processing
Marjorie’s career is marked by her innovative approaches to safety and efficiency in sterile processing, leveraging human factors and advanced techniques to improve healthcare outcomes.