Key Takeaways

Tammy transitioned from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship after experiencing career dissatisfaction

She advocates for treating your career like a business and becoming the "CEO of you"

Mindset shifts around failure, optimism, and finding joy are crucial for career fulfillment

Organizations need to focus on employee aspirations, not just engagement, to unlock potential

Grew up in small-town New Jersey with modest beginnings

Started in temporary services industry at 18, without college degree

Rose through corporate ranks to C-suite roles on Wall Street

Experienced "mid-career funk" despite outward success

Left corporate world at 40 to start her own business

Importance of "power base" - network of influential contacts

Value of taking on "third rail projects" - high-risk, high-reward initiatives

Focusing on making "stars into superstars" rather than trying to fix underperformers

Giving immediate, actionable feedback to develop team members

Becoming a "short-term pessimist to be a long-term optimist"

Viewing failure as a necessary part of the path to success

Choosing joy and focusing on what energizes you

Embracing your unique perspective as a leadership strength

Five generations now in workforce simultaneously

Need for reverse mentoring programs

Importance of leadership development, especially for middle managers

Focus on tapping into employee aspirations, not just engagement

Chris Hoekstra, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT

Chris received his PhD in biomedical informatics from Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, his Masters of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Pacific University and undergraduate degree in biology from Willamette University.  He is board certified in orthopedics and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy.  Additionally, he completed a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical informatics through the National Library of Medicine.  

He has worked as a physical therapist, clinic director, Health IT consultant, and more recently Chief Clinical Transformation Officer for Therapeutic Associates Inc.  In that role he has overseen the company’s strategy related to the use of organizational data in business and clinical decision making, clinical and business information systems selection and optimization, quality improvement efforts, and value-based care initiatives. With Hychara Health, Chris oversees product development, program and project management, and sales and marketing strategy.  Additionally, he has worked with company subject matter experts to create an advisory services practice.  

He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology of the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, where he teaches courses in organizational behavior and qualitative research.  He also continues his research focused on usability and end-user adoption of health information technology.  Additionally, he is a member of a multi-disciplinary AHRQ and NLM- funded research team with research focused on establishing safe training and effective use of medical scribes.  

Chris has dedicated his career to improving clinicians’ and business leaders’ use of information in their daily decision making.  His work and research focus on refining a sociotechnical framework that integrates information systems with organizational strategy, team dynamics, workflow design, and information visualization to allow practices and providers to thrive in the changing value-based healthcare landscape.  

Outside of his professional work, Chris has been active as a youth football coach for > 14 years, a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for nine years, and most recently an operations officer with a Military Police battalion of the Tennessee State Guard.  Additionally, he has served on numerous community and professional advisory boards. 

My exploration of power began with Plato's philosophies in school and deepened through my university studies in political science and law, and a PhD in international relations.

As a young girl, I was attracted to all things martial and loved playing with guns together with the boys in my neighbourhood. In my teens, this changed as I not only started to prefer going out to dance with the boys, but also started less martial activities like Yoga and meditation, and became involved in the peace movement. Like many in my generation, I was concerned by the Cold War and in search of better ways to secure peace than through weapons and “mutual assured destruction” - MAD. 

So when choosing my path for university, I decided to study political science, and in particular security studies. I wanted to understand how power operated in the world of politics, and how to make security policy more secure. I had the privilege of studying arms control negotiations while doing an internship at the United Nations in Geneva, and wrote my master’s thesis on the psychological aspects of these negotiations. 

I approached my PhD. questioning the “guns and bullets” mainstream approach to security policy. Awarded a scholarship in security studies, I focused on a theme that was the opposite of guns and bullets: how civil society organisations in the East and West worked together to influence intergovernmental relations and played an important role in the peaceful end of the Cold War. During my PhD, a fellowship at Harvard introduced me to visionary leaders, united by their habit to think beyond what seems possible and their desire to make a meaningful difference. A life-shaping experience.

My career started in development cooperation, first as policy expert and programme manager at the European Commission and later as manager in consulting. This work allowed me to see both the power dynamics of large organisations and the challenges of change. I explored why some organisations we were supporting were able to change, while others remained stuck in old, often wasteful patterns. This curiosity lead me to study organisation development and leadership, and finally into coaching, and to my work at the European Investment Bank, where I served for 17 years in a range of roles dealing with personnel and leadership development, coaching, and organisational change. 

Dr Bernie Mullin is a groundbreaking sport and entertainment industry executive who's turned around franchises, set all-time revenue and attendance records, and generated $1.5+ billion in revenues for brands from the NFL to the US Open Tennis with his agency, Aspire Marketing Group. He was CEO of NBA and NHL teams and CMO of the NBA. He's also a globally acclaimed speaker, podcaster, author, and humanitarian who has served on multiple boards, including the United Way; YMCA; and Make a Wish Foundation. His The Aspire Difference Foundation (TADF) focuses on supporting single parents with preschool children. All net proceeds from his consulting, podcasts and books go to support TADF. His new book is Reimagining America’s Dream: Making It Attainable for All Learn more at: www. berniejmullin.com

I'm a trauma therapist specialising in supporting entrepreneurs to increase profit and decrease anxiety. From being stripped of every strand of hair on my body to losing my ex to suicide 3 weeks after breaking up, I was forced to use trauma-healing to sustainably build my business. While there are a lot of 'trauma-informed' and 'body-based practitioner' coaches in the industry, none of them do it by merging body-based tools, the nervous system AND business strategy. I can help your audience combine the nervous system with business strategy to increase profit and decrease anxiety - even when traditional methods haven’t worked. 

Kathleen K Mairella PT DPT MA FAPTA

Education:
Degree: Doctor of Physical Therapy
Institution: MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA Major; Physical Therapy
Date: May 2006

Degree: Master of Arts
Institution Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY Major: Movement Science and Education
Date: May 1992

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Institution: Boston University, Boston MA Major: Physical Therapy
Date awarded: May 1978

Employment and Positions Held:
Professor Emerita, Rutgers University, 2022-present

Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, School of Health Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark NJ, 2016-2022

Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, School of Health Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark NJ, 2014-2016

Assistant Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor, Rutgers University (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey prior to July 1,2013), School of Health Related Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark NJ , 2006-2014

Physical Therapist, Brookdale Physical Therapy, Nutley, New Jersey, 2007-2008

Instructor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/School of Health Related Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark, New Jersey, 2004-2006

Adjunct Instructor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/School of Health Related Health Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark, New Jersey, 2002-2004

Practice Development Facilitator, Atlantic Health System/Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown NJ, 2001-2002

Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, Fairleigh Dickinson University Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Morristown NJ, 1999-2001

Adjunct Instructor. Fairleigh Dickinson University Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Morristown NJ, 1999

Adjunct Instructor, Union County College Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Plainfield NJ, 1997-2000

Physical Therapist, ARC Essex School, Livingston, NJ 1999
Rehabilitation Supervisor, JerseyCare HomeHealth and Hospice, Belleville, NJ, 1995-1998 Physical Therapist, Independent Practice, Home Care, Nutley NJ, 1991-1995
Adjunct Instructor, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 1991-1992

Staff Physical Therapist, The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ, 1985-1986
Staff Physical Therapist, Welkind Rehabilitation Hospital, Chester, NJ, 1983-1984

Senior Physical Therapist, Neuroscience Team, Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC, 1982-1983

Staff Physical Therapist, Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC, 1981-1982
Staff Physical Therapist, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, 1980-1981 Staff Physical Therapist, New Jersey Rehabilitation Hospital, East Orange, NJ, 1978-1980

Membership in Scientific/Professional Organizations:

American Physical Therapy Association: 1976-present
Chair, House of Delegates Reference Committee, 2025

Member, House of Delegates Reference Committee 2023-2024 Chair, House Special Committee on Bylaws, 2019-2021 Bylaws Review Task Force, 2018-2019
Director, Board of Directors, 2009-2017

Board work assignments:

APTA Committees and Task Forces:

Best Practices in Clinical Education Task Force, chair 2016-2017

Leadership Development Committee, chair 2013-2017

Executive Committee, elected 5th member 2015-2016

Recruitment and Retention of Early-Career Members Task Force, member 2014- 2016

Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, member, 2012-2015 Finance and Audit Committee, member 2011-2013

Member Engagement and Leadership Development Task Force, chair 2011- 2013

Physical Therapy Classification and Payment Task Force/ Alternative Payment Task Force, chair 2013-2014, member 2012-2013

CSM Review Work Group, member 2011-12

Task Force on Governance Review, member 2009-2011

Committee on Referral for Profit, liaison, 2009-2011

Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service Advisory Group, liaison 2009- 2011

Board Workgroups:
Strategic Planning Board Work Group, chair 2013-2017
Criteria for House Motions from the Board of Directors, member 2014-2015, Governance Proposal Board Work Group, member 2011-2013

Board Work and Information Management Board Work Group, member 2011- 2012

Board Workgroup on Board Performance Evaluation, member 2009-2010 Components:
Student Assembly, 2011-2014
Chapters:

Maryland (2016-2017, 2010-2011), Nebraska (2015-2017), Nevada (2016-2017), Idaho (2011-2016). Texas (2014-2016), New York (2013-2015), Michigan (2010- 2014), Wisconsin (2011-2014), New Mexico (2009-2013), North Dakota (2009- 2011), Utah (2009-2010)

Sections:

Education (2014-2017), Women’s Health (2015-2017), Geriatrics (2015-2016), Pediatrics (2009-2012)

Councils:
Chapter President Council, liaison 2011-2014

APTA Mentorship Program, 2005-2010 (program discontinued) Committee to Approve the House of Delegates Minutes, 2007

CEO Search Committee, 2007
Committee on Chapters and Sections. 2004-2007, Chair 2006 Education Strategic Planning Group, 2004

American Physical Therapy Association of Massachusetts 2022-present Chair, Bylaws Review Task Force 2023-2024
Assembly Representative, 2024

American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey: 1978-80, 1983-2022 Delegate to APTA House of Delegates, 1998 -2004, 2008-2009, 2018-2022 Chief Delegate, 2004-2008
Federal Affairs Liaison, 2018-2019
Alternate delegate, 2017-2018
Legislative Committee, 1998-2018
Legislative Advisory Panel, 2007-2018
2009 Annual Conference Committee, 2008-2009, chair

Membership Chair, 2005-2007 Executive Committee, 1996-2005 President, 2001-2005 President-elect, 2000-2001 Vice-president 1998-2001 Secretary 1996-1998

Direct Access Task Force, Chair, 1996-1999

Home Health Special Interest Group Workgroup 1997

APTA Private Practice Section, 2000-present

APTA Private Practice Section, Graham Sessions Planning Committee, 2021-present

APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation (formerly Health Policy and Administration Section), 2003-present

Academy of Physical Therapy Education, 1999-2002, 2004-present
American Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 1994-2002, 2010-present APTA Orthopedics Section, 2007-2018
APTA Section on Women’s Health, 2002-2004, 2009-2011, 2016-2018
APTA Section on Research, 2012-2015
APTA Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section, 2010-2012
APTA Neurology Section, 1980s, 1993-1998, 2000-2003
APTA Health Policy Section, 2002-2003
APTA Section on Administration, 1998-1999
APTA Home Health Section, 1993-1999
New York New Jersey Clinical Education Consortium, 2006-2014, 2016-present Home Health Assembly of New Jersey, 1996-1998

National Head Injury Foundation Workgroup, Washington DC, 1981-1983

American Physical Therapy Association, District of Columbia Chapter Continuing Education Chairperson, 1982

Service to the University/College/School on Committees/Councils/Commissions: School

Rutgers University SHP Committee on Faculty Development, September 2015-September 2018

Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ) SHRP Faculty Chair, September 2012-September 2014

Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ) SHRP Committee on Committees, 2012-2014

Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ) SHRP Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing, 2011-2014

Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ) SHRP Committee on Curriculum Review, 2007-2010 Department

Rutgers University SHP Newark DPT Curriculum Committee, 2015-2022, Chair January 2022- July 2022

Rutgers University SHP Newark DPT Orientation Committee Co-chair, 2016-2021
Rutgers University SHP Newark DPT Awards and Scholarship Committee, 2017-2022 Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ) SHP Newark DPT Admissions Committee 2002-2019

Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ) SHP Newark DPT Program Student Activities Committee, Faculty Liaison, 2006-2019

Honors and Awards:
Catherine Worthington Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2023
Lucy Blair Service Award, American Physical Therapy Association, 2019
Outstanding Service Award, American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey, 2013 President’s Award, American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey, 2008, 2006, 1999

Peer Reviewed Publications:
Sack S, Radler DR, Mairella KK, Touger-Decker R, Khan H, Physical therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and practice approaches regarding people who are obese, Phys Ther; 89(8):804- 15, 2009

Career reinvention is increasingly necessary due to longer lifespans, changing job markets, and ageism

Success in later-career transitions requires self-knowledge, persistence, and leveraging one's "superpower" skills/experience

Networking and thought leadership are crucial for accessing the "hidden job market" where 80% of hiring occurs

Older professionals have advantages like neuroplasticity, "just thinking" problem-solving, and empathy from life experience

30+ year career as entertainment industry executive and film producer

Transitioned to career coaching in 2012 after a TEDx talk on transformation

Now focuses on helping mid-career professionals (45-55+) navigate career changes

Ageism and bias in hiring practices, especially for those 60+

Difficulty recovering from job loss/layoffs as companies reorganize

Need to work longer due to increased longevity and reduced retirement savings

Erosion of traditional career paths - average job tenure now only 3-5 years

Self-reflection to identify one's "superpower" - unique skills, experience, values

Reconciling past failures/regrets to move forward without baggage

Persistence and opportunism when pursuing new directions

Maintaining curiosity and a growth mindset to continue learning

Focusing on being "useful" rather than chasing a dream job

Build robust LinkedIn profile articulating your value proposition

Network to build a community of shared professional interests

Engage in thought leadership by sharing expertise and insights

Target the "hidden job market" of referral-based hiring (80% of jobs)

Spend time daily/weekly on networking and community-building

Neuroplasticity allows continued learning and growth

"Just thinking" - intuitive problem-solving from years of experience

Increased empathy and wisdom from life experiences

Potentially greater risk tolerance due to life/career accomplishments

Higher success rates for older entrepreneurs vs younger

Servant leadership and "leading from behind" are most effective

Listening is the essence of good leadership

Focus on supporting and developing team members

He has run leadership courses for thousands of funded tech startup founders across more than seventy countries in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Europe. He is a frequent lecturer on entrepreneurship, organization design, and people analytics at Stanford, Wharton, and INSEAD.

Martin is a principal of organization and talent development at Google. He works with Google’s senior leaders to shape team culture, develop their people, and expand their leadership, so they can build cool things that matter. In his ten years there, he’s worked with leaders across Google Research, DeepMind, Technology & Society, Responsible AI, Pixel, Fitbit, YouTube, Search, Maps, Android, and Chrome, to name a few.

In 2023, The Aspen Institute recognized him as a First Movers Fellow, honoring his pioneering work at Google. The following year, in 2024, he received the Thinkers50 Radar Award, a prestigious recognition that identifies up-and-coming thinkers whose ideas are predicted to make an important impact on management thinking in the future.

Prior to Google, he was a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group and a product manager at Johnson & Johnson.

Martin has studied organizational psychology and behavioral science at Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He’s a serial immigrant, having lived and worked in New York, Jakarta, Singapore, Taipei, and Manila, where he is originally from. Today he lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Bea, and three kids: Noelle, Jaime, and Andrea.

Alan Balavender, PT, MS

President

Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers

After earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy (PT) from Quinnipiac University, Alan launched his PT career in outpatient orthopedics. He oversaw a multispecialty facility that provided a range of PT services. He accepted a clinical position with Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers (PTSMC) of Waterbury. In 2000, he purchased the practice, which he has since expanded to over 30 locations throughout Connecticut. Alan then created PTSMC’s unique partner model to support clinic ownership by physical therapists while limiting the risk associated with having a successful business in the extremely competitive healthcare environment. Alan is devoted to private practice, with a vision to foster a company focused on improving the quality of people’s lives by providing unmatched experiences, clinical excellence, and lifelong relationships.

Margot Machol Bisnow spent 20 years in government, including as an FTC Commissioner and staff director of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. For the last 10 years, she has spoken to parent groups about raising creative, confident, resilient children who achieve their dreams. She served as an Advisor to EQ Generation, an after-school program in New York City that gives children the skills to succeed; on the Advisory Board of the MUSE School in Malibu, that prepares young people to live consciously through passion-based learning; and on the Board of Spark the Journey in Washington DC, that mentors low-income high school students to achieve college and career success. Her new book is Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams – 99 Stories from Families Who Did. Learn more at raisinganentrepreneur.com.