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.

Marisa is bilingual and bicultural. She completed her BA & MA from Keio University, Tokyo. She is an Honorary Member (Distinguished Artist) of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. She is a speaker, thought leader, performing artist, and multi-dimensional creator on the rise, seeking to creatively inspire inclusion, innovation, and transformation through movement, dance, and storytelling.

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.