Looking Ahead at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 2026

From emerging technologies and acquisition challenges to budget priorities and key contract opportunities on the horizon, this event will bring together government, top technology executives, subject matter experts, and business leaders from across the CMS community to have candid, open discussions that will identify real solutions and opportunities to drive results and better support the important set of missions driven by CMS and the contractor community.

12:55 PM - 1:30 PM: Event Check-In
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Welcome and Panel Discussions

• ACQUISITION, BUDGET & CONTRACT TRENDS: What decisions have been made at CMS and elsewhere that will impact business in 2026?
• TOP INITIATIVES in 2026 (Policy and Leadership): Where to Focus? Policy/Leadership Priorities and Impacts on where the $$ is moving?
• EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, AI and PROCESSES: What technologies and business processes will CMS embrace in 2026 as they try to keep up with and utilize to drive better results?
• WHAT DOES CMS look like MOVING FORWARD: This futuristic session will focus on broad issues, technology and policy that will change how CMS operates.

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Onsite Networking Happy Hour
Plan on sticking around after the event for a happy hour onsite! You'll have an opportunity to connect with colleagues to have fun and exchange ideas.

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Stay tuned for more moderators and panelists to be named.

• Anita Allen - Independent Consultant (former Small Business Specialist, HHS-CMS)
• Bridget Berardino - Former CMS Director
• Kelly Bowman - Principal, Deloitte (former Senior Advisor, Center for Program Integrity, CMS)
• (PENDING) Veronika Peleshchuk Fradlin* - Data Specialist/Technical Lead, CMS
• Parvathi (Par) Rachakonda - CEO, Tech2i
• (PENDING) Melissa Ramos* - Customer Service Director, GSA
• Christal Russ (MODERATOR) - Senior Enterprise Architect & EA Competency Lead, ERP International (former Chief Technical Architect, DoD)
• Karen Shields - CEO, K Shields Health Tech Consulting (former CMS)
• Katrina Sizemore - Sr Program Manager, Index Analytics LLC (former CMS: Division Director, CCIIO/MITG/DPCBM)
• Erin Wolfe - Director of Federal Capture, ERP International (former Acting Deputy Director, Division of Quality Systems Operations and Support, CMS/CCSQ Information Systems Group)
• Connie Zhong - President and CEO, Macannie, Inc.

* Invited - Awaiting Approval

Please carefully review your order before confirming your purchase. All sales are considered final. We do not offer refunds for cancellations.

Please note that photographs and video footage will be taken during this event and may be used for marketing and promotional purposes on our website and/or in social media. By attending this event, you consent to the use of any images taken during this event. Thank you!

Interested in sponsoring? Contact Amanda Schrauben at [email protected]

Host or Publisher Shelley McGuire