OPEN MINDS Highlights Executive Sessions & Industry-Leading Speakers At The 2026 Performance Management Institute
Gettysburg, PA (January 17, 2026) — OPEN MINDS announced the lineup of core sessions and featured speakers for the 2026 OPEN MINDS Performance Management Institute, the premier executive education event for leaders in behavioral health and human services. Designed for senior executives navigating increasing financial pressure, workforce instability, and operational complexity, the Institute delivers practical tools and real-world strategies to strengthen organizational performance and long-term sustainability.
The 2026 core sessions focus on the critical capabilities required for success in today’s market, including workforce sustainability, organizational culture, revenue cycle optimization, data-informed decision-making, and mission-aligned growth.
Measuring Organizational Culture As A Driver Of Performance & Profit will examine how intentionally shaping and leading culture can improve engagement, reduce turnover, enhance care quality, and strengthen financial performance. Featured speakers include Regina Marshall and Joe Robitaille from Advocates, along with Mark Ishaug and Sterling Haukom-Anderson, from Thresholds.
Communication Is Key: Creating A Plan For The Integration Of Teams Post Merger will provide strategies for aligning teams, retaining talent, and maintaining continuity of care following mergers and acquisitions. This session will be led by Karen Carloni and Elsa Warren, from I Am Boundless, and James Button, from Citizen Advocates.
In Growth Opportunities Beyond Private Equity: Which Is Best For Your Organization?, leaders will explore joint ventures, strategic partnerships, mergers, and alternative growth models, helping leaders evaluate options for mission-aligned expansion, with Shannon Litton from 3LS Professional Services presenting.
More Is Not Always Better: Avoiding Data Overloadwilloffer frameworks for identifying and analyzing the most meaningful performance metrics—helping leaders best utilize performance metrics to guide decision-making. Speakers include Jodie Esper, Mainstay Life Services, and Brandie Williams, from Rappahannock Area Community Services Board.
Designing Programs That Perform: Turning Metrics Into Momentum will demonstrate how organizations can translate performance data into actionable strategies that drive program outcomes. This session features Cathy Ganter Cooper, Anne Campbell, and Don Reimer, and from Avita Community Partners.
Executives serving rural and frontier-specific management challenges, like workforce shortages, limited funding, geographic isolation, and infrastructure gaps will gain targeted insights in You Are Not Alone: Management Issues Facing Rural & Frontier Communities, featuring Josh Burke from Northeast Kingdom Human Services and Craig Poe, from High Plains Mental Health Center.
In First Impressions Are Everything: Managing Your Digital Front Door Rachel Steinmetz and Emily Harris, from OPEN MINDS, will sharestrategies for strengthening digital access, engagement, and trust—helping organizations align their digital presence with today’s consumer and workforce expectations.
Each session combines practical guidance, case-based examples, and evidence-informed approaches to help executive teams improve performance, strengthen workforce retention, and increase operational efficiency.
“Behavioral health leaders face complex challenges that require forward-thinking solutions,” said Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer at OPEN MINDS. “Through these core sessions, attendees will explore innovative approaches to performance, workforce, and revenue cycle management that position their organizations for long-term growth and success.”
OPEN MINDS Circle Members who attend these sessions are eligible to receive credits towards the Leadership & Management Certificate Program.
The full agenda can be found at performance.openminds.com.
Registration is now open. Registration is included for OPEN MINDS Circle Market Intelligence Service subscribers. Non-members can pay and register at performance.openminds.com.
For more information on any of OPEN MINDS’ educational programs, upcoming sponsorship opportunities, or media inquiries, contact the Executive Education Events team at events@openminds.com or 717-334-1329.
Premier Partners & Exhibitors
This program is made possible by the OPEN MINDS premier partners, Alera Health, ContinuumCloud, Core Solutions, Netsmart, Otsuka, and Qualifacts.
Featured exhibitors will include 3LS Inc., 5e Analytics, Alera Health, Altruix, Cantata Health, CCNY, ContinuumCloud, Clinically AI, Core Solutions, Genoa Healthcare, Grafton Integrated Health Network | Ukeru, Medicus IT, MedTrainer, Mend, Netsmart, Proven Software, Radicle Health, Scioto Properties, Sigmund Software, SimiTree, Streamline Healthcare, Triad, Woods System of Care, and Zoobook Systems.
About OPEN MINDS
OPEN MINDS is a national market intelligence, management consulting, and marketing services firm specializing exclusively in the high-needs consumer market – mental health, addiction treatment, cognitive disabilities, chronic health conditions, elder services, health-related social needs, and adjacent markets within the health and human service field. The OPEN MINDS mission is to provide payers, service provider organizations, pharmaceutical, technology, and scientific firms that serve these consumers with the market and management knowledge needed to improve their organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Learn more at openminds.com.