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Event Details
Hours
October 22 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm CT | Networking Reception
October 23 | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm CT | Conference Program
October 24 | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm CT | Conference Program
The BHB INNOVATE Conference will bring together some of the brightest minds in early-stage behavioral health care to discuss the future of mental health, substance use disorder (SUD) and autism treatment services.
This event will offer entrepreneurs, C-suite leaders and investors unparalleled insights into the latest trends, groundbreaking strategies and success stories driving the industry forward, with discussion topics including scaling new businesses, emerging technology, virtual care delivery models and more. In between sessions, attendees and sponsors will have the opportunity to network with up-and-coming providers, active investors and pioneering startups.
In 2025, the BHB INNOVATE Conference will be co-located with the BHB INVEST Conference.
Coming Soon
Networking Reception
Opening Remarks
Session Coming Soon
Networking Break
Founders' Forum: Insights from Behavioral Health Trailblazers
Lunch & Networking
Shifting to Value - Creating a Winning Network Model for Behavioral Health Providers and Payers - Sponsored by UpLift
5:00 - 7:00 PM
9:00 - 9:15 AM
9:15 - 9:30 AM
10:00 - 11:00 AM
9:20 -10:00 AM
11:00 - 11:15 AM
12:00 - 1:00 PM
After a record-breaking year in behavioral health M&A in 2021, the question going into 2022 was could it possibly last. Especially with inflation, rising interest rates, and the unrest In Ukraine. Tapping into our proprietary transaction database and in-depth conversations with strategic and financial buyers alike, we’ll answer this question and discuss which segments may be hot, which ones may be cooling, and what we expect over the next 6-12 months.
1:00 - 1:30 PM
Track C
From Startup to Success: Scaling Early-Stage Behavioral Health Ventures
Measuring What Matters: Demonstrating Outcomes for VBC Success
Value-Based Care for Specialized Populations
Julia Bernstein
Chief Operating Officer Brightside Health
Learn about the challenges and opportunities facing health care REITS as they pursue investments in the behavioral health space, along with the criteria today’s leaders are using to evaluate potential deals.
Leading operators, lenders and investment bankers share perspectives on the intellectual and developmental disabilities market, including why the industry is moving into the home, and how companies are positioning themselves for success.
Substance use market investments continue to take flight as digital and traditional players scale up their businesses. Learn how they are positioning themselves for growth and further investment in 2023 and beyond.
Networking Break
2:00 - 2:30 PM
Ned Carlson
CEO in Residence
Varsity Healthcare Partners
As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction. Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!
Erikka Taylor
Chief Medical Officer Arise
Dexter Braff
President
The Braff Group
In this opening keynote panel, behavioral health founders from across the space will share their experiences overcoming obstacles to build successful mental health, addiction treatment and autism therapy companies. The discussion will offer a window into their forward-looking strategies, insights and vision as they navigate an ever-evolving behavioral health landscape.
Interested in Speaking?
BHB events provide an opportunity for industry executives to share their knowledge and expertise with our audiences. Submit your contact information if you’re interested in learning more about speaking opportunities.
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Dr. Taft Parsons III
VP & Chief Psychiatric Officer
CVS Health
Sonia Priscilla Garcia
Co-founder and Chief Product Officer
Amae Health
Wendy Oliver-Pyatt
Co-Founder, CEO, Chief Clinical Officer, Within Health
Session Coming Soon
Dr. Hoda Bastani, MD MPH
Vytalize and former ACMO
Johns Hopkins Health Plan
Jason Washburn
Chief Clinical Officer, Owl
Chief Psychologist, Northwestern University
Executive Connect
As part of the Executive Connect program, qualified executives from behavioral health providers or operators may register for free and participate in a set number of meetings with pre-screened vendors at the event.
A refundable deposit is required to register and is refunded if you attend the required meetings at the event.
The 3 Things Operators Must Know to Succeed in Behavioral Health - Sponsored by Wellsky
Track A
Track B
Track C
The Dos and Don’ts of Value-Based Contracting
11:00 - 11:30 AM
As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction. Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!
Beyond the Pilot: Keys to Sustainable Payer-Digital Behavioral Health Partnerships
Katherine Suberlak
Sr. VP Population Health
Oak Street Health
Behavioral Health in VBC Primary Care Models
Track A
Track B
Track C
Understanding Value Through Measurement-Based Care: A Roadmap for Successful Implementation of Value-Based Care - Sponsored by Greenspace Health
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction. Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!
Stephen Smith
Co-Founder & CEO NOCD
Feast or Famine: Trends in Digital Behavioral Health Investing
Eric Meier
CEO
Owl
Pamela Greenberg
CEO
ABHW
Track A
Investing in Behavioral Health-Focused Employee Assistance Programs
2:30 - 3:00 PM
AI in Action: Real-World Solutions to Top Care Delivery Challenges
Lauren Conaboy
VP of National Policy
Centerstone
Simon Weisz
CoFounder & President
Greenspace Health
Ryan Rhodes
Director, Provider Transformation Complex Health CareSource
Dr. Yavar Moghimi
Chief Psychiatric Medical Officer
AmeriHealth
Evans Rochaste
Founder & CEO ReKlame
Kyle Talcott
Founder & CEO
UpLift
Drew McCartney
CEO
Praesum
Bill Harlan
Dir. of Clinical Programs & Strategy
Point32Health
Seth Zuckerman
Chief Business Officer
Upward Health
Dr. Benjamin R. Nordstrom
Chief Medical Officer
Behavioral Health Group
Solome Tibebu
Founder & Host
Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech
Michelle Guerra LMHC, NCC
Clinical Programs Manager Health Care Services
Premera Blue Cross
Dr. Lori Ryland
Chief Clinical Officer
Pinnacle Treatment Centers
October 22 - 24, 2025 • Nashville, TN
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will BHB INNOVATE be held?
The BHB INNOVATE Conference will be held on October 22 - 24, 2025 at JW Marriott Nashville. INNOVATE will be co-located with BHB INVEST.
Which ticket type should I purchase?
Provider tickets are for owner, operators, and providers of behavioral health services. Vendor tickets are for vendors and professional firms providing products, services and capital to the behavioral health industry.
What is the refund policy?
For all tickets, no refunds are available within 45-days of the event. No exceptions.
My company or organization owns or is an active investor in a provider. Which ticket type can I purchase?
If your organization owns or invests in a provider or providers in this space, your firm is classified as a private equity investor. If you wish to get the provider pricing, you would need to use that organization's email system/domain to register for the ticket to qualify as a provider. No exceptions.
How do I contact the organizer?
Email us at [email protected].
Are there kosher meals or other dietary options at the event?
Please email events-healthcare@wtwhmedia.
For an up-and-coming behavioral health business, securing a pilot with a payer partner is Step 1. Step 2 – and the more difficult goal – is turning that pilot into a sustainable partnership. With perspectives from both the provider and payer sides, this panel will explore that process and offer keys to what works – and what doesn’t.
While behavioral health providers and payers both say they’re eager to move toward value-based care, the two parties aren’t always on the same page. During this panel, attendees will hear about the biggest dos and don’ts for value-based care contracting.
Behavioral health is increasingly being woven into primary care models, and the provider groups at the leading edge of value-based care are placing it front and center within their risk-taking strategies
In this panel, attendees will hear from entrepreneurs who have successfully launched and grown a behavioral health business. Speakers will share their insights on market positioning, operational scalability, funding strategies and more, providing actionable guidance for aspiring founders and stakeholders in the behavioral health ecosystem.
Measurement-based care is the lifeblood of value-based payment, but identifying what measures are critical isn’t always so simple. This panel will continue the conversation regarding outcomes and payment, with speakers offering their takes on what factors matter most.
To improve health equity and fill gaps in care, a growing number of behavioral health organizations are shaping their business models around targeted patient populations. This panel will explore that trend in a value-based care context.
Track B
Track A
The United States is grappling with a critical behavioral health crisis. In response, a vast majority of large employers (94%) have invested in expanding mental health coverage and support services for their workforce, as reported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Recognizing the urgent need for accessible and affordable mental health care, many employers are partnering with digital health companies to provide their employees with innovative solutions. This panel brings together leading experts to explore best practices for fostering successful collaborations between employer organizations and mental health technology companies.
Track A
Track B
Track C
Right-Sizing Autism Care: Aligning Outcomes with Payment
Breakout Sessions
9:30 - 10:00 AM
As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction. Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!
Investment Perspectives on Value-Based Care in Behavioral Health
Yagnesh Vadgama
VP of Clinical, Care Services & Autism
Magellan Health
Joshua Baker
SVP of Strategy & Development
Hightop Health
Colin Davitian
Chief Executive Officer
Kyo Autism Therapy
Hui Cheng
Vice President
Town Hall Ventures
Value-based care is shaping the health care investment strategies of venture capital and private equity firms alike. This panel will look out how and why that’s the case, with a focus on behavioral health.
Successful value-based care models are able to respond and adapt to patient needs. In this panel, attendees will hear from providers on how they’ve built fully integrated care delivery models to thrive in value-based care frameworks.
Several industry challenges have slowed value-based care adoption within the autism treatment space. Some providers and payers have made progress, however.
Becoming a One-Stop Shop: Service Diversification as a Value-Based Care Pillar
December 10, 2024
Networking Reception
4:00 - 6:00 PM
March 13, 2024
Networking Break
10:00 - 10:30 AM
Track A
Track B
Track C
The Power of Peers, Non-Clinical Support Roles in Value-Based Care
Breakout Sessions
11:00 - 11:30 AM
As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction. Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!
Learning from Failure: What Does (And Doesn’t) Work in VBC+SUD
Substance use disorders (SUDs) present immense challenges for all health care constituents. In this panel, providers and payers will discuss what works and what doesn't work in implementing value-based strategies in SUD care.
Behavioral health companies have lagged behind physical health providers when it comes to implementing EHRs. But new legislation may open the door for providers to adopt the technology. At the same time, behavioral health is at the cutting edge of many digital health initiatives. In this panel, providers will discuss the role technology plays in collecting outcomes data for value-based care.
Health systems, providers and payers are recognizing the power of peer-support and non-clinical roles in behavioral health care. This panel will examine such models and offer insight on how they fit into value-based care discussions.
How Technology Is Accelerating Value-Based Care Adoption
Mark Peterson
CEO
Nystrom & Associates
Natalie Schneider
CEO & Founder
Fort Health
Charlie Sposato
VP of Product Innovation
BrightView Health
Kim Newell Green MD
Co-Founder & CMO
Flourish Labs
Ankit Gupta
CMO
Bicycle Health
Katherine Hobbs
Founder & CEO
Author Health
Colin LeClair
CEO
Connections Health
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Breakfast & Networking
Track A
Track B
Track C
1:30 - 2:00 PM
Track A
Incubating Innovation: Taking Behavioral Health Care to the Next Level
Balancing Care and Capital: Leveraging Revenue Integrity in Behavioral Health Organizations - Sponsored by NextGen
Whole Person Care and Risk Sharing Models in Behavioral Health Treatment - Sponsored by Prosperity
Track B
Track C
10:30 - 11:00 AM
Breakout Sessions
Track A
Tackling Staffing and Reimbursement Challenges: The Role of AI-powered Automation in Successful Revenue Cycle Management - Sponsored by Thoughtful
Harnessing AI in Behavioral Health: Personalization, Efficiency, and the Future - Sponsored by Sunwave Health
Provider Shortage: Can Listening to Other People's Therapy Sessions be Clinically Effective? - Sponsored by Meomind
Track B
Track C
Damayanti Dipayana
CEO
Manatee
Krista Boe
Chief Clinical Officer
Acorn Health
Stacy DiStefano
CEO
Consulting for Human Services
Nikole Benders-Hadi M.D.
CMO
Talkspace
Melissa Reilly MBA, JD
CGO
Evernorth Behavioral Health
Sandeep Acharya
Co-founder and CEO
Octave
Shrenik Jain
Founder & CEO
Marigold Health
Jay Taylor
CGO
Brave Health
Scott Rodney
Payroll & Benefits Manager, CPP bartaco
Alethea Varra
SVP of Clinical Care
Lyra
Dana Foglesong
National Sr. Dir. of Recovery & Resiliency Services
Magellan Healthcare
Alex Katz
Founder and CEO
Two Chairs
You likely know that behavioral health M&A was down substantially in 2023. So, the question flashing brightly is will it come back? How long will it take? What does the trendline look like regarding valuations? And as value based care continues to gain traction, will it begin to influence the who, what, why, and how much of behavioral health M&A?
Matt Miller
Chief Growth and Development Officer Connections Health Solutions
Paul Trivette
CSO
Cedar Recovery
Staffing and reimbursement are major challenges faced by healthcare providers today. In the current dynamic healthcare environment, hiring and retaining top-quality talent for efficient RCM operations is critical. This panel will discuss how AI and Automation offer innovative solutions to handle these complexities efficiently.
Kathrynne Johns
CFO
Allegiance Mobile Health
Alex Zekoff
CEO
Thoughtful
Bobby Guy
Shareholder & Attorney
Polsinelli
Carrie O'Connell
VP of Clinical Strategy
WellSky
Dr. Jenna Glover
Chief Clinical Officer
Headspace
Elie Levy
Founder & Co-CEO
Sunwave
Dr. Brian Wind
Chief Clinical Officer
Regard Recovery/JourneyPure
Dylan Ross, PhD
Head of Clinical
Blueprint
Sri Velamoor
President & COO NextGen Healthcare
Javier Favela
VP, Integrated Care Solutions NextGen Healthcare
When it comes to digital health investing, it’s feast or famine for behavioral providers, driving some startups to make tough choices. In this panel, attendees will hear from a mix of behavioral health providers and investors to better understand the venture capital outlook for 2025 and beyond.
Rob Pahlavan
Partner
Healthcare Foundry
Sushant Gupta
Co-Founder & CEO
Meomind
Chris Cavazos
Former Chief of Operations at Humana Wellness, Advisor, Meomind
Stigma and provider shortage are the biggest barriers to increasing access to mental healthcare. We will discuss a new, scalable modality of treatment - listening to other people's therapy sessions - and compare its outcomes to traditional forms of therapy.
Adam Middleton
Partner
The Viability Company
Succeeding in the evolving behavioral health market means overcoming ever changing obstacles. Knowing how to work with payers to identify and deliver on the measures they care about, understanding transparency in healthcare and CMS regulations that impact your organization’s profitability and livelihood, and how to navigate the inequitable distribution of healthcare are all critical to your organization’s success. Join our session as our panelists dive into each of these three topics and share how your behavioral health organization can succeed as behavioral health care delivery transforms.
Michelle Mullany
CEO
Prosperity
Ruby Mehta, LCSW
Head of Behavioral Health Cityblock
Greg Keilin
Chief Strategy & Growth Officer
Prosperity
Laura Gomez Cadena
Venture Capital Associate
Healthworx
Ticket Prices
Provider - $600*
Vendor - $1500*
Non-Profit - $600
*Early bird tickets are available in limited quantity. Once these tickets are sold out, prices will revert to the standard rate, and early bird pricing will no longer be offered or honored.
Location: Le Meridien Arlington, 1121 19th St N, Arlington, VA 22209
Stephen Smith
Co-founder & CEO
NOCD
Andrew DiGiacomo
Director of Provider Partnerships
Evernorth Behavioral Health
Melanie Dallas
CEO
Highland Rivers Behavioral Health
This panel aims to explore the significant impact of AI on improving patient care, enhancing operational efficiency, and maintaining rigorous compliance within the behavioral health sector.
Payers, health systems and pharma companies have recognized the pressing need to address behavioral health, and they are actively exploring innovative solutions to enhance the quality and accessibility of behavioral health services. Audience members will learn from a diverse group of industry insiders on how they incubate new mental health, addiction and autism treatment innovations at their institution.
Robert Krayn
CEO and Co-Founder
Talkiatry
Become A Sponsor
We provide sponsors an intimate setting to promote their brand and develop relationships with industry movers and shakers.
December 11, 2024
SILVER Sponsors
Evans Grenier
Vice President
Questa Capital
