If Not Us, Then Who?
Not just a conference, but a call to action
EQTY 2025: Progress Under Pressure, brought together visionary leaders, sharing their collective wisdom at a critical moment in health equity to light a path forward. This wasn't just a conference, it was a call to action, convening the changemakers asking: If not us, then who?
We returned again this year to prove that progress under pressure isn't just possible, it's essential.
We embraced the complexity of the journey, inspired action, and equipped attendees to drive lasting change across the health equity landscape with actionable strategies, tools, and connections.
Enjoy these highlights from EQTY 2025.
Looking Back at EQTY 2025
EQTY 2025 Event Champions Progress Amid Pressures
Esteemed national leaders like Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson convened at Boston Medical Center Health System’s third annual conference to build strategies and momentum to push forward against multiple intersecting headwinds in healthcare.
Experts Weigh in on Inclusive Innovation in Cardiometabolic Health
At EQTY 2025's Advancing Medicine Research Symposium, experts highlighted how community-informed research is shaping the future of cardiometabolic health.
Keynote Speaker
We’re honored to welcome Keisha Lance Bottoms as our EQTY 2025 keynote speaker. A nationally respected leader, Mayor Bottoms served as senior advisor to President Joe Biden, transforming the White House Office of Public Engagement and shaping outreach to millions of diverse stakeholders. She also served on the President’s Export Council. Previously, as the 60th mayor of Atlanta, she guided the city through the pandemic, critical public health challenges, and a nationwide reckoning racial justice, earning praise for her steady, values-driven leadership.
At EQTY 2025, Mayor Bottoms will share hard-earned lessons from her journey as a national advisor, local leader, and mother of four, offering an inspiring perspective on leading with purpose and building more equitable systems.
Panels and Speakers
Reckoning with Medicaid Cuts and the “Big Beautiful Bill”
Medicaid policy is never just about budgets—it’s about lives, accessible healthcare, and the communities who depend on it.
With proposed cuts and new legislation, the stakes for essential health providers and equity leaders are higher than ever. This session unpacks the numbers behind the headlines, showing how funding changes reshape access, community partnerships, and operational realities. Participants will walk away with a clear understanding of the projected impact on patients, essential hospitals, community-based organizations, and beyond. We’ll also explore actionable strategies to respond powerfully and equitably - keeping people, not policy shifts, at the center.
Steve Benjamin, Esq.
President and CEO, The Benjamin Firm, LLC
Steve Benjamin is Assistant to the President, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Public Engagement. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Benjamin was the Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina from April 2010 through December 2021. Benjamin has served as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (2018-2019), as President of the African American Mayors Association, Vice Chairman of the Global Parliament of Mayors, Executive Chairman of Municipal Bonds for America, Chairman of the FirstNet Authority, a Member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, and as a member of several corporate and nonprofit boards.
Mayor Benjamin served as the Spring 2022 Richard L. and Ronay A. Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Carolina’s top ranked Honors College teaching a course titled “Columbia, South Carolina: Building a Great City” and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities. Benjamin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he served as President of Student Government and as President of the Student Bar Association.
He is married to the Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The Benjamins are the proud parents of two daughters and are members of the Saint John Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
Robert Koenig, MBA
VP, Strategic Programs, BMC Health System
Rob Koenig oversees special projects and new initiatives, including partnerships with government, for the health system.
Prior to joining in 2019, Koenig held a range of roles at the Harvard Kennedy School, Bain & Company, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the William J. Clinton Foundation. He received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and his bachelor’s degree in earth and planetary sciences from Harvard College.
Symone Sanders Townsend
Political strategist and commentator; Host, MSNBC's "The Weekend"
She/Her
Symone Sanders Townsend is a trailblazing political strategist, commentator, and author who has broken barriers from the campaign trail to the White House. At 25, she became the youngest presidential press secretary in history, later serving as Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris. A dynamic voice in media, she hosted SYMONE on MSNBC and now co-hosts The Weeknight, offering sharp political insight and analysis. A proud North Omaha native, educator, and advocate, Symone continues to inspire the next generation of leaders through her work in politics, media, and mentorship.
@SymoneDSanders
Audrey Shelto
President and CEO at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
Our Health in the Age of AI
AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s transforming every aspect of our health, from how doctors make decisions to how patients access care and information.
This panel gathers leading voices in inclusive AI development, algorithmic justice, and healthcare innovation to explore how artificial intelligence can transform medicine while confronting the real concerns around bias embedded in AI systems. Panelists will discuss how bias in data and algorithms can perpetuate disparities, the challenges of ensuring fairness, and the urgent need for diverse perspectives in AI design—highlighting its potential as a tool for accessing health equity information. Join us for a critical conversation on how to harness AI’s power responsibly to build a more equitable future in health.
Chris Boone, PhD, MS, FACHE, FHIMSS
Group Vice President, Research Services, Health & Life Sciences at Oracle
Christopher P. Boone, PhD, FACHE, FHIMSS, serves as the Group Vice President of Research Services at Oracle Health & Life Sciences, where he leads global operations spanning 13 countries and manages an extensive portfolio focused on AI-powered clinical research and real-world evidence generation. He holds board positions with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Research Collaborative, while serving as Adjunct Professor at NYU's Wagner School of Public Service. Dr. Boone is a recognized thought leader in healthcare AI transformation and health equity, bringing Fortune 500 executive experience, academic rigor, and federal regulatory expertise to advance precision medicine and evidence-based healthcare innovation.
Joy Brown, MBA
SVP, Chief Digital Information Officer, BMC Health System
Joy Brown oversees the health system’s digital, technology, cybersecurity, and information strategy.
Prior to joining in 2024, Brown served as the chief data officer at Verizon Media; led the credit card global data, analytics, and machine learning function at Capital One; and held key positions at UnitedHealth Group, Vanguard, and General Electric. She received her Master of Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University and her bachelor's degree in information systems and data engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University. Brown currently serves on the boards of Huron Consulting, ESO, and ValidiFi.
Watch Joy Brown talk about improving the patient experience through the development and enhancement of BMCHS' digital health capabilities:
Calum MacRae, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Calum MacRae is a physician-scientist who works at the convergence of technology and biomedicine. He has been especially interested in how technology can improve diagnosis, deepen engagement with patients and transform access to care-where possible enabling self-care that is tailored to the individual, family or community. He is the PI of the Apple Health Study.
Nicol Turner Lee
Author, Digitally Invisible:How the Internet is Creating the New Underclass, Founder, AI Equity Lab, and Leading AI Expert
Nicol Turner Lee is an author, speaker, and leading AI expert in governance, ethics, and sectoral guidance. Currently, she also serves as a senior fellow and director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, a global think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. where she also founded the AI Equity Lab, which convenes subject matter experts to develop purposeful and sector-specific solutions for existing and emerging technologies. She is the author of the book, Digitally Invisible: How the Internet is Creating the New Underclass (Brookings Press, 2024), and has appeared throughout various news media, testified before Congress and international global governance bodies, and written extensively on tech and telecom issues.
Karen Wong, MD, MPH, MIDS
Epic, Chief Data Scientist
Karen Wong is an internal medicine and public health physician who uses data and technology to improve patient care, advance medicine, and promote clinician wellbeing. Her interests include epidemiologic research, machine learning and AI methods, and equitable care.
Cross-Sector Synergies: Forging Unconventional Alliances
It’s commonly said that necessity is the mother of invention. Today, some of the most original health equity breakthroughs are coming from outside the traditional healthcare sector.
This panel explores how unconventional thinkers—from technology, transportation, and grassroots organizations—are bringing unique perspectives and creative solutions to persistent health challenges. Join us to discover how collaborations that reach beyond hospital walls are unlocking new pathways to better health for all, ensuring that innovation is shaped by a diversity of experiences and needs.
Binta Beard, Ph.D., M.S.
Head US Social Impact & Novartis US Foundation President
Social impact, policy, and public health leader with experience managing teams to strategically advance health equity and the well-being of communities by leveraging change through social impact, philanthropy, and policy. Dr. Binta Beard, Head U.S. Social Impact and President of the U.S. Foundation at Novartis, brings experience from previous roles at AbbVie, Equinox Strategies, Podesta Group, and congressional health policy in the House and Senate. Dr. Beard holds a Doctor of Science and Masters of Science in Health & Social Behavior from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. With her robust skill set Dr. Beard engages with community stakeholders, industry, and others to advance the health & well-being of communities. She is lives in Washington D.C. area with her husband and two children.
Johanna Jobin
Vice President, Global Head of Environment and Sustainability, Takeda
With nearly two decades of experience in the life sciences sector, Johanna C. Jobin is a sustainability leader with a track record of driving breakthrough initiatives that meaningfully advance environmental and health benefits. She has pioneered award-winning environmental commitments and industry-first collaborations at the intersection of health, climate, and equity.
As Takeda’s Global Head of Environment and Sustainability, Jobin leads the company’s Planet imperative, advancing ambitious environmental goals such as achieving net-zero operations by 2035 and a net-zero value chain by 2040. Her work helps drive business value and impact at scale through groundbreaking collaborations—including with Boston Medical Center and Healthcare Without Harm—designed to promote a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
Prior to Takeda, Jobin held leadership roles at Biogen and MilliporeSigma, helping to redefine the way these companies approach issues ranging from health equity to community engagement. Her efforts helped set an industry record for topping the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for ten years, win a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation award, and garner recognition on Fast Company’s list of World Changing Ideas.
Passionate about contributing to her community, Jobin serves on the board of the Museum of Science, MassBioEd, Project Green Schools, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts. She lives in Boston and is a past winner of the Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award for her efforts to build a more sustainable and equitable world.
Santiago Lyon
Head of Advocacy & Education, Content Authenticity Initiative, Adobe
Santiago Lyon is the Head of Advocacy and Education for the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative, focused on accelerating adoption of the C2PA open standard for digital content provenance aimed at combatting misinformation and promoting attribution and transparency online. He has 40 years of experience in photography as an award-winning photojournalist, photo editor, media executive and educator.As a photographer for Reuters and the Associated Press for 20 years, he won multiple photojournalism awards for his work between 1989-1999 where he photographed 9 wars on 4 continents.
In 2003/2004 he was a Nieman Fellow in journalism at Harvard University before being named VP/Director of Photography at the Associated Press, a position he held until 2016.
Under his direction, the AP won 3 Pulitzer Prizes for photography as well as multiple other major photojournalism awards around the world. In 2012 he was a Sulzberger Fellow at Columbia University and was Chair of the Jury for the 2013 World Press Photo contest. Lyon serves on the advisory board of the VII Foundation.
Petrina Martin Cherry, MBA
VP, Community Engagement and External Affairs, BMC Health System
Petrina Martin Cherry is responsible for leading all external affairs and community engagement outreach for the health system, with an eye to healthcare equity, social determinants of health, diversity, and inclusion.
Prior to joining in 2016, Martin Cherry spent 15 years in entertainment marketing and media training for celebrities and non-profit organizations. She received her Executive Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson School of Business and her Bachelor of Arts in English literature from University of South Carolina. Martin Cherry currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Boston Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club of Boston and Boston Arts Academy, the American Hospital Association Advisory Board and was appointed by Governor Healey to the MA State Black Empowerment Council and the MA Council of Arts and Culture.
Watch Petrina Martin Cherry talk about BMC’s Health Equity Accelerator's plan regarding Economic Mobility:
Keri Salter-Shahidi
Actress, Producer, and Co-founder of 7th Sun Productions
Who Gets to Live Longer? Longevity Research, Systems, and Science
Who gets to live longer—and why? This thought-provoking panel brings together leading experts to examine the trending field of longevity through the equity lens.
With insights from the world’s largest centenarian study, racial health disparity data, and accounts from communities facing stark gaps in life expectancy, panelists will explore how research, systems, and science can converge to promote longer, healthier lives.
Markeisha Marshall, MS
Vice President of Communications, BMC Health System
Marshall leads communication strategies and functions to promote Boston Medical Center Health System's commitment to clinical excellence and health equity. Prior to joining BMC Health System in 2023, Marshall served as inaugural head of public affairs at Adobe and was the inaugural leader of environmental, social and governance (ESG) at AbbVie. Marshall has deep healthcare expertise having led disease state awareness and patient engagement efforts at AbbVie in virology, oncology, immunology and neuroscience; specialty pharmacy communications at Walgreens Co.; and health benefits communications at Aetna. She received her Master of Science in health communication from Northwestern University.
Demond Martin
Co-Founder & CEO, WellWithAll
Demond Martin is an investor, author, philanthropist, and the co-founder and CEO of WellWithAll, a health and wellness company advancing health equity for Black, Brown, and underserved communities. Guided by inclusive capitalism, WellWithAll reinvests 20% of profits into community health initiatives. A former Adage Capital partner and White House aide, Demond is a Harvard MBA and UNC Charlotte alum. His debut book, Friends of the Good, releases in early 2026.
Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) Contact Principal Investigator, RCMI Coordinating Center Morehouse School of Medicine
Dr. Elizabeth Ofili is a nationally and internationally recognized cardiologist practicing at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has helped to raise over $200 million to fund pioneering research and training infrastructure. She has over 30 years of experience, studying and treating heart disease with particular focus on cardiovascular disparities in the African American community, as well as women’s health. In her capacity as Founder & Chief Science Officer of Health 360x, a patient centered platform for population health management and clinical trial diversity, she leads the African American Heart Study, a ground-breaking nation-wide observational study analyzing lipoprotein(a) in 5,000 participants across the country. Dr. Ofili is a past Board Chair and was the first female president of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), during which time, she led the initiative to implement the landmark African American Heart Failure Trial (AHEFT), whose findings changed practice guidelines for the treatment of heart failure in African Americans. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, which is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.
Thomas Perls, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine and Director of the New England Centenarian Study, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
Tom Perls MD is Professor of Medicine at Boston University. Over the past almost thirty years he has studied centenarians, people who are 100 years old or older as well as their family members. He is also cares for older patients at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Perls is the lead investigator for several large NIH studies that aim to discover the how and why centenarians are such a wonderful model of healthy aging and exceptional longevity.
Legacy Under Pressure: Reckoning with the Past, Transforming the Future
History is not just behind us; it actively shapes who we are, who has access to opportunity, and who thrives.
This session explores the enduring legacies of racial inequities and the ways they continue to influence health outcomes today. Through candid discussion, speakers will unpack how structural racism, policy, and generational disparities intersect with healthcare, and highlight actionable strategies for advancing racial health equity in today’s unprecedented environment. Attendees will gain perspective on the challenges, resilience, and innovation required to transform systems and build a more equitable future.
Moderated by Michael Curry, Esq.
Michael Curry, Esq.
President and CEO, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Marcia Dyson
Social activist and cultural commentator; advocate for equity and generational justice
Michael Eric Dyson, PhD
Academic, author, Baptist minister and radio host
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Former mayor of Atlanta and former senior advisor to the president of the United States
Keisha Lance Bottoms was the 60th Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, and a visionary leader in bringing equitable outcomes to the forefront of government and commerce. Keisha became the first Mayor in Atlanta’s history to have served in all three branches of government, having previously served as a Judge and a City Council member. She has committed herself to realizing her vision of “One Atlanta” – an affordable, resilient, and equitable Atlanta.
Sworn in on January 2, 2018, Keisha has served as Mayor during one of the most challenging times in the history of Atlanta. In the midst of a global pandemic and a racial justice movement, Keisha became a leading spokesperson regarding the challenges and opportunities facing cities and leaders across America.
While navigating these unprecedented challenges, the Bottoms Administration was able to remain focused on the resilience of Atlanta, negotiating and closing the largest real estate transaction in the history of Atlanta, and one of the largest in the Southeast United States, delivering millions of dollars in community benefits to people across the city.
Bottoms took proactive measures to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the City and its agencies. As a result, during one of the worst economic downturns the world has ever faced, the Bottoms Administration delivered four years of balanced budgets, without resorting to property tax increases, layoffs, or furloughs of City employees. The City’s reserves remain at a near high of $181M, far exceeding the requirements of the City Charter.
Mayor Bottoms most recently served as the Senior Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Shaped by a childhood and professional career that highlighted the inequalities amongst Americans, Keisha led her Administration in undertaking several major initiatives that would seek to eradicate systemic issues facing Atlanta, while creating a model for all cities to follow.
Keisha’s steadfast leadership and equity-focused philosophy have led to numerous accolades and leadership positions, including having served as the Chair of the Community Development and Housing Committee and the Census Task Force for the United States Conference of Mayors and as a Trustee for the African American Mayor’s Association. She was also selected to Chair the Platform Committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention and serves as the DNC’s Vice Chair of Civic Engagement and Voter Protection.
Tracing her family’s roots to a slave plantation in Georgia, it was Keisha’s highest honor to be named 2020 Georgian of the Year by Georgia Trend Magazine. She also was named one of Glamour Magazine’s Women of the Year and was named a member of Ebony Magazine’s prestigious Power 100 List. She has also been honored as a BET 100 Entertainer and Innovator of the Year and was named the Smart Cities Dive’s 2020 Leader of the Year. Keisha was also the recipient of the Distinguished Civil Rights Advocate Award presented by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law in recognition of her equity-driven leadership to help guide and protect marginalized communities.
Keisha is the daughter of R&B icon Major Lance and Sylvia Robinson. She and her husband Derek are parents to four children.
Special Session: Advancing Equity in Cardiometabolic Health
Wednesday, November 19 | Southline Boston
Join us for a focused special session designed for clinicians and researchers, held the day before the EQTY 2025 flagship event.
This special session will explore cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of cardiometabolic health—spanning conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and related disorders. Through the lens of community-informed research, we’ll examine diagnostic gaps, barriers to access, and opportunities to integrate inclusive practices into both clinical care and research design.
Following the special session, engage with thought leaders across healthcare and biotechnology during an evening cocktail reception open to all EQTY attendees.
Learn more about each panel below.
The Future of Cardiometabolic Health: Inclusive Strategies for Equitable Outcomes
Nearly one-third of Americans live with cardiometabolic conditions that diminish quality of life and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Profound disparities persist—Black Americans are twice as likely to be affected, yet they represent only 6–10% of participants in clinical trials.
This panel will explore how innovation, inclusion, and collaboration can advance equity in cardiometabolic health across research, care delivery, and policy. Panelists will discuss approaches to diversifying clinical trials, building trust within underrepresented communities, and addressing social determinants of health that shape cardiometabolic outcomes.
Participants will gain insights into designing inclusive trials, technologies, and therapies from the outset; forging authentic partnerships with communities; and aligning efforts across healthcare, policy, academia, and industry to ensure that innovation is both equitable and impactful for all populations.
Panelists:
- Clifford Harrison, CEO, Blue Bridge (Moderator)
- Pierre Theodore, MD, Executive Director, Population Science Team within Health Equity, Genentech
- Liviu Niculescu, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Novartis
- Ivania Rizo, MD, Endocrinologist and Director of Obesity Medicine, BMC
- Christina Vollbrecht, MA MS RDN LDN, BMCHS Community Culinary Dietitian
Critical Gaps: Addressing Diagnostic Disparities in Cardiometabolic Health
Despite advances in diagnostics and treatment, racial and ethnic minorities continue to experience significant disparities in the screening, diagnosis, and early identification of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in the U.S. These disparities are driven by a mix of clinical bias, limitations in diagnostic algorithms, social determinants of health, and insufficient community engagement. Through a conversation with patients, clinical specialists, researchers, and foundation leaders, this session will explore the structural, clinical, and community-level contributors to diagnostic disparities, and offer evidence-based strategies to improve diagnostic accuracy and early identification of cardiometabolic conditions grounded in lived experience, innovation, and advocacy.
Panelists:
- Carl Streed, MD, MPH, FACP, Primary Care Physician, BMC (Moderator)
- Amanuel Kehasse, PharmD, PhD, Director, Clinical Programs & Drug Information, Clearway Health
- Kathryn Fantasia, MD, MSc, Endocrinologist, BMC
- Lucy Schulson, MD, MPH, Primary Care Physician, BMC
- Rick Ruberg, MD, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine, BMC
- Kristian Hurley, Senior VP of Social Impact and Global Advocacy, Beyond Type 1
Access for All: Addressing Systemic Barriers to Innovative Interventions in Cardiometabolic Health
Access to life-changing medications and medical technologies remains out of reach for many Americans due to fragmented insurance coverage, high out-of-pocket costs, and systemic inequities in healthcare delivery. This session will explore the legal, systemic, and practical barriers that limit equitable access to innovations in cardiometabolic health—and identify possible solutions and policy pathways that promote equity in the adoption of groundbreaking therapies.
Panelists:
- David Twitchell, PharmD, MBA, SVP, Chief Innovation Officer (Moderator)
- Samar Hafida, MBCCh, VP, Obesity Association, American Diabetes Association; Endocrinologist and Weight Management Specialist, BMC
- Devin Steenkamp, MBChB, Endocrinologist, BMC
- Sonia Alva, PharmD, Senior Director, Population Health Pharmacy, BMC Health System
- McKenzie McVeigh, PharmD, MS, Clinical Pharmacy Director, MassHealth, Executive Office of Health and Human Services
- Annie Acs, Executive Director, Global Public Policy, Eli Lilly
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!
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Become a Sponsor
Sponsorship opportunities are available to companies, organizations, and individuals who are passionate about EQTY and BMC Health System’s mission. If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to partnerships@bmc.org.