2026 Conference Speakers

Policy and Regulatory Update
General Session  |  Thursday, October 8

As a seasoned and respected government relations professional, Garrett has built a reputation for hard work and tireless advocacy for his clients. Having previously worked in both the Legislative and Executive branches of Tennessee state government, as well as the private sector, his work experience affords him a unique perspective. Garrett started his legislative career as a Policy and Research Analyst for former House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick where he forged deep and long-lasting relationships with legislators and legislative staff.
 
Garrett later transitioned to Governor Bill Haslam’s office where he became his Deputy Director for Legislation and managed a network of agency and department liaisons. Prior to creating his own firm, Garrett spent four years at The Ingram Group in Nashville where he provided strategic counsel and government relations expertise to a wide collection of clients at the state and local levels.
 
Garrett and his wife, Ann Claire, are both Tennessee natives and currently reside in Nashville with their three-year-old son, Pierce. 

Policy and Regulatory Update
General Session  |  Thursday, October 8

Alisa serves as Director of Health Policy, advocating for Tennessee’s health centers at both the state and federal levels of government. I analyze proposed legislation and funding initiatives to determine their impact on health centers’ ability to provide care, then develop and lead strategies to educate policymakers on what is at stake. I also work closely with health centers to engage them in advocacy efforts and amplify their voices in the policymaking process.

Policy and Regulatory Update
General Session  |  Thursday, October 8

Jeff Teague is a mission-driven nonprofit executive with more than 25 years of experience in organizational leadership, fundraising, strategic planning, communications, public affairs, and advocacy. He currently serves as Chief Development Officer for Mending Hearts and provides consulting services to nonprofit organizations, advising leaders on strategy, governance, development, and organizational growth. Previously, Jeff served as President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee for 16 years, where he led significant organizational expansion, increased the budget more than fourfold, and strengthened donor engagement and community impact.

His career also includes leadership roles with the Tennessee Democratic Party, Congressman Jim Cooper’s office, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Office of the Vice President of the United States. A committed community leader, Jeff has served on numerous nonprofit and civic boards, including Matthew Walker Community Health Center, where he served as Board Chair, and currently serves on the Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Public Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

From Encounter-Dependent to Revenue-Diversified: Financial Strategy for Modern FQHCs
Breakout Session |  Wednesday, October 7

Nicole is a Senior Manager within Forvis Mazars Southern Missouri Community Health Centers Practice. Starting her career in 1995, Nicole brings more than 25 years of revenue cycle experience, involving internal audit and revenue cycle in the provider realm, including a period of time at a Federally Qualified Health Center. Nicole concentrates primarily on the delivery of revenue cycle consulting services. She also leads a dedicated group of consulting professionals serving community health centers (CHCs). 

Her focus is assisting CHCs with compliance and reimbursement through efficient revenue cycle teams and workflows that meet the healthcare needs in the communities they serve. From fee schedule assessments, sliding fee discount program reviews, and single questions to full onsite revenue cycle assessments, Nicole approaches every project as an opportunity to provide Unmatched Client Experiences™ and to grow. Nicole is a frequent speaker at state primary care association conferences, helping to educate health center representatives and expose them to opportunities to evaluate toward additional revenue, compliance, and efficient workflows. 

Nicole is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter, serving as Chair of the Program Committee and as president for 2020 through 2021. She is a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP), specializing in patient financial services. 

Nicole is a 2014 graduate of Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania, with an M.H.S.A. degree. 

P.A.V.E. the Way to Quality: Prioritize, Align, Validate, Execute
Breakout Session  |  Wednesday, October 7

Workforce Development in Action: Lessons from Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center
Breakout Session |  Wednesday, October 7

Details on presenters coming soon!

Leveraging Capital Planning to Transform Risk into Readiness
Breakout Session  |  Wednesday, October 7

Ann Marie Grimberg joined Capital Link in November 2024 as a Project Consultant for Health Operations and Facilities Planning.  In this role she focuses on providing support to health centers on facility and strategic planning and the integration of primary care with behavioral health care and other social supports.  

 
She brings almost 20 years of experience in the social service arena with most of her career working for a Federally Qualified Health Center and Community Mental Health Center in Chicago which also provides permanent supportive housing and other social services to its patients.  She most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for the organization. 

 
Ms. Grimberg earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education from Syracuse University and a Master’s in Education from Loyola University Chicago.  She is based out of Cleveland, Ohio.  

Sustainability by Design: Building Behavioral Health Programs for FQHCs
Breakout Session  |  Wednesday, October 7

Adam Peebles is the Chief Executive Officer of Peregrine Health, a tech-enabled behavioral health care services platform supporting Community Health Centers in underserved markets. Under his leadership, Peregrine has rapidly scaled into 18 states, expanding access to high-quality mental health care for vulnerable populations who face significant barriers to care. 

 
Before Peregrine, Adam held leadership roles at Trilliant Health, where he partnered with health systems to leverage advanced analytics for strategic growth and patient access, and at Hatch, an early-stage healthcare technology company in the musculoskeletal space. These experiences shaped his approach to combining operational excellence with technology-driven solutions to tackle complex challenges in healthcare. 

 
Passionate about transforming behavioral health delivery, Adam focuses on equipping Community Health Centers with the tools they need to thrive. His work emphasizes sustainable growth models for community-based care, the use of artificial intelligence to scale services, and innovative approaches to provider support and patient engagement. 

Level Up Your Leadership: Winning the Talent Game in Today’s Healthcare Workforce
Breakout Session |  Wednesday, October 7

Yanick Hicks, PharmD, is an executive director, leadership speaker, and certified member of the Maxwell Leadership Team who specializes in leadership, team communication, and resilience. Drawing on his experience as a pharmacist and healthcare leader, he delivers engaging, values-based presentations that help leaders strengthen teams, navigate change, and achieve meaningful results. With more than seven years of professional speaking experience and over 80 engagements annually, Yanick has presented for leading organizations including Medtronic, McDonald's, and Wells Fargo, as well as numerous healthcare and professional associations nationwide. Known for his energetic and practical approach, he inspires audiences to lead with purpose, build stronger organizations, and create lasting impact.