Women's Breakfast - Policy, Power, and Purpose

Policy, Power, and Purpose: Women Executives Influencing Healthcare Legislation is a dynamic Women's Breakfast event bringing together influential female leaders in healthcare policy. Attendees will gain insights into how women executives are shaping legislative priorities, advancing equitable healthcare reforms, and leveraging their leadership to drive systemic change. This empowering gathering offers valuable networking, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiration for women at all stages of their professional journey.

Moderator:

Whitney M. Laughlin

Corporate Secretary & Chief Legal Officer

AMN Healthcare

Panelists:

Michaela Bennett

Vice President of Government Relations

Children’s Health

Sara González

Vice President of Advocacy, Public Policy, & Political Strategy

Texas Hospital Association

Shona Sowell

Director of Community Relations

Texas Health Frisco & City of Frisco Mayoral Candidate

Speakers' Bios:

Michaela Bennett serves as vice president of government relations at Children’s Health in Dallas. In her role, she leads advocacy efforts to shape public policy that enhances pediatric health care access and outcomes across Texas. Bennett collaborates with lawmakers and stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels to advance initiatives supporting children’s health. Her work includes engaging with legislative processes, such as registering support for health care-related bills in the Texas Legislature. Through her leadership, Children’s Health continues to be a prominent voice in promoting the well-being of children statewide.

Sara González serves as Vice President of Advocacy, Public Policy, and Political Strategy for the Texas Hospital Association (THA). Joining THA in 2016, Sara works to advocate for Texas hospitals by educating members of the Texas Legislature on an array of policy issues including Hospital Finance, Medicaid, Managed Care, Quality, and Behavioral Health policy.

Prior to working at THA, Sara worked for over 13 years in the Texas Senate on various aspects of public policy and government affairs and in numerous roles including Chief of Staff to a state Senator. Originally from Rio Grande City, Sara graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Whitney M. Laughlin serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for AMN Healthcare, overseeing the legal, corporate governance, privacy and compliance, equity compensation strategy, government and community affairs functions of the company.

Ms. Laughlin joined AMN Healthcare in 2006 and was named Deputy General Counsel in 2011. She holds leadership responsibilities within the legal department’s corporate, employment, litigation and contract divisional legal support functions and provides strategic and operational oversight for the Ethics and Compliance programs.

Prior to joining AMN Healthcare, Ms. Laughlin was a partner at Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard and Smith where she had an employment litigation practice, primarily serving healthcare and staffing industry clients. She received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, both from Southern Methodist University.

Ms. Laughlin is a licensed attorney in California and Texas. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of SafeHaven of Tarrant County and on the Board of International Esperanza Project.

Shona Sowell’s extensive involvement in the community of Frisco includes being elected to two terms on the Frisco City Council from 2016-2022. In her role on council, she chaired the Legislative Committee leading the efforts in working for legislation that would positively impact Frisco residents by providing testimony, input, and expertise with state legislators. Her work at the state level led to the residents of Frisco receiving much needed funds (over $28 million) from the state to help with the cleanup of a closed battery plant. She has a passion for collaboration with legislators at all levels and works to connect and build relationships.

Shona also served on the Budget & Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Ad Hoc Performing Arts Center Committee, the North Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Committee, Regional Transportation Council, and Mayor’s Youth Council. Each of these committees allowed her to take deep dives into the resources and relationships of the City of Frisco to better represent the needs of our residents. Recently, Shona announced her candidacy for Mayor of Frisco with the election coming in May of 2026.

Professionally, Shona serves as the Director of Community Relations for Texas Health Hospital Frisco, where she works to build relationships among community groups and the hospital to provide more services in the community.

Shona holds bachelor’s degrees from Southwest Baptist University (4 Majors—Political Science, History, Social Science Education, & Speech), as well as two master’s degrees in Communications and Political Science/Public Policy. Previously, Shona has served in government relations roles at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce advocating legislatively for the business community, and as a nationally recognized high school teacher of US Government, US & World History, and Communications. She coached Speech & Debate on the national circuit working with high school students to find and improve their voice. She has a passion for articulate AND considerate discussion of tough issues that impact society. Over the years, she has worked with the Frisco ISD Independent Study and Mentorship program as a mentor to young men and women looking to make their own marks in the field of public policy.

Shona and her husband Will are empty nesters with four children between them and one very spoiled dog named Honey Bear. They are members of Genesis Metro Church in Frisco and both active in various community roles. When they are not working or serving in their community, Will and Shona can be found traveling or cheering on Formula 1 racing.

Host or Publisher ACHE of North Texas