2026 Speakers
Shelly Palmer
Keynote Speaker
CEO
The Palmer Group
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Named one of LinkedIn’s “Top Voices in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, and is a regular commentator on CNN and CNBC, and serves on the Board of Directors of 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS).
Shelly is a prolific author. Along with his daily newsletter, his books include, the Amazon #1 Bestseller, Blockchain – Cryptocurrency, NFTs & Smart Contracts: An executive guide to the world of decentralized finance and Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV, the seminal book about the technological, economic, and sociological forces that have changing everything about the the business of television, Overcoming the Digital Divide: How to use Social Media and Digital Tools to Reinvent Yourself and Your Career, and Digital Wisdom: Thought Leadership for a Connected World.
Peter Eskander
Panel Speaker
Director of Supply Chain End-to-End Digital Transformation
Amgen
Peter Eskander is a digital transformation leader in the global biopharmaceutical industry, currently serving as the Supply Chain Digital Leader at Amgen. In this role, he leads initiatives that embed advanced analytics, AI-enabled platforms, and real-time decision support into one of the world’s most complex healthcare supply networks. With over 20 years of experience spanning engineering, consulting, and global supply chain operations, Peter focuses on translating innovation into scalable operational impact through AI and agentic solutions that strengthen resilience and improve patient access.
Trained as an engineer and seasoned through Big 4 consulting and enterprise leadership roles, Peter brings a cross-functional perspective to healthcare transformation, bridging business strategy, digital capability, and operational execution. He holds an MBA from Texas A&M University and advanced engineering degrees from the University of California, Irvine. Peter is particularly passionate about the evolving role of AI in healthcare and how pharmaceutical organizations can responsibly harness digital innovation to accelerate decision-making and enhance the overall patient experience.
Shawn Lin, MD
Panel Speaker
Medical Director
UCLA Health- Calabasas Stein Eye Center
Associate Program Director
UCLA Health- Ophthalmology Residency Division of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Dr. Shawn Lin is a distinguished ophthalmologist and clinical leader who serves as the Medical Director of the UCLA Calabasas Stein Eye Center and Associate Program Director for the UCLA Ophthalmology Residency. A graduate of Stanford Medical School with fellowship training at Harvard, Dr. Lin has established himself as a prominent voice in medical innovation. His research is specifically focused on combining human and artificial intelligence to deliver exceptional surgical results to his patients, utilizing data-driven precision to enhance outcomes in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery.
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Lin is a prolific researcher with more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications and a recipient of both the Heed and Abelson Fellowships. He is also a global leader in medical education as the founder of EyeGuru, a digital platform that serves over one million ophthalmologists annually across 125 countries. By integrating his research in artificial intelligence with specialized surgical training, Dr. Lin is helping to advance the standard of care for the next generation of physicians and patients alike.
Billie Jo Nutter
Panel Speaker
Operating Partner
HCAP Partners
Advisory Board Member
Neurosteer
Billie Nutter is an accomplished healthcare executive and board director with extensive experience at the intersection of healthcare delivery, technology, and enterprise transformation. Throughout her career, she has led strategic turnarounds and modernization efforts, helping healthcare and technology companies scale operational systems and strengthen performance. Her work increasingly focuses on the practical application of data, automation, and emerging AI tools to reshape care delivery, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes.
Currently serving as an operating partner and board member for private equity-backed organizations, Billie collaborates with executive teams and investors to drive value creation and implement innovative governance models. She specializes in guiding growth-stage companies through the entire lifecycle, from diligence to exit, by focusing on operational transformation and scalable technology strategies in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Amy Towner, MBA '18, PKE 139
Panel Moderator
CEO
Health Care Foundation for Ventura County
Amy B. Towner is a mission-driven healthcare executive, founder, and board leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing strategic growth, governance excellence, and cross-sector impact across healthcare, nonprofit, and technology sectors. She is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Health Care Foundation for Ventura County, where she has raised more than $20 million to expand healthcare access, align philanthropic investment with clinical priorities, and strengthen public-private partnerships. Her work includes close collaboration with healthcare systems, governing boards, and public agencies, as well as participation in the development of a $350 million LEED Silver hospital replacement project.
Amy serves as an Independent Board Director for a healthcare technology company, advising on strategy, governance, and responsible digital health innovation, and as a Board Director for Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, supporting workforce development and economic mobility initiatives. Recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times as a “Champion in Healthcare,” she is also a Larraine Segil Scholar and member of Exceptional Women Alliance (EWA). She holds an MBA from Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School and remains committed to mentorship and values-based leadership.