Keynote Speakers
Newt Gingrich
A lightning rod in the conservative movement that made him the first Republican Speaker of the House in 40 years has since brought his firebrand approach to U.S. health care benefits. As founder of the Center for Health Transformation, a group of public- and private-sector leaders dedicated to creating a 21st Century system that saves lives and saves money, Gingrich will share his vision of what power-to-the-people can mean for benefit sponsors, consumers and the role of government.
Morton M. Kondracke
The renowned journalist who for 45 years has covered nearly every phase of American
politics brings watchdog tenacity to his work – and now to center stage at Benefits Forum
& Expo. The Fox News commentator and Executive Editor of the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll
Call will help handicap the 2008 Presidential Elections and what’s at stake for employee
benefit stakeholders. Hear from a man who also knows the personal stakes of health care
politics, as documented in his book Saving Milly: Love, Politics and Parkinson’s Disease.
Featured Speakers
"Best Companies to Work For" Panel
Nancy E. Astorga
Vice President, Compensation & Benefits
Navy Federal Credit Union
With a varied background in human resources management, Nancy joined Navy Federal Credit Union to manage their health/welfare benefit plans February 1989. Nancy assumed the role of Vice President, Compensation & Benefits in 1996.
Terri Nicholaou Francino
Global Benefits Leader
W.L. Gore & Associates
Terri Nicholaou Francino is the global benefits leader for W.L. Gore and Associates. Francino, who joined Gore just over a year ago, was hired to develop global benefit strategies and a global philosophy for all associate benefit programs.
Lee Johnston
Executive Vice President of Human Resources
Holder Construction
Lee Johnston is Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Holder Construction Company and a key member of its Executive Committee. Established in 1960, Holder's mission to provide clients with quality construction services has resulted in over 80% repeat business.
"Health Care Reform" Panel
Sara R. Collins, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President
The Commonwealth Fund
Sara R. Collins is assistant vice president for the Program on the Future of Health Insurance at The Commonwealth Fund.
Katie Strong
Director, Congressional & Public Affairs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Katie Strong joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a director in the Congressional and Public Affairs Department in October 2004.
Elease E. Wright
Senior Vice President - Human Resources
Aetna, Inc.
Elease E. Wright is the Senior Vice President, Human Resources (HR) for Aetna Inc. In this role, she is responsible for the development of all HR strategies, and the delivery of HR services and programs.