Rising Leaders Driving Change through Collaboration and Innovation 

Civitas Networks for Health is excited to announce the new roster for our 2025 Emerging Leaders Council (ELC). This group of exceptional professionals represents the next generation of health and health care leaders, selected for their commitment to collaboration, innovation, and driving meaningful change across their communities. 

What is the Emerging Leaders Council? 

The ELC offers participants a unique platform to enhance leadership skills, expand their professional networks with industry peers, and contribute to transformative health initiatives. From advancing health data exchange to improving care quality and affordability, these emerging leaders are integral to the work of Civitas and our members across the nation. 

What Makes the ELC Unique? 

Serving on the ELC is more than just a leadership development – it’s a hub for collaboration, innovation, and impact. ELC members work closely with Civitas leadership to design and execute priority projects, including a dedicated session at the Annual Conference. They also gain access to: 

• Carefully Selected Thought Leadership: Regular meetings thought leadership pieces on critical health care, nonprofit leadership, and other pertinent topics which are followed by deep discussion. 

• Networking Opportunities: Build connections with peers and established leaders across the Civitas network. 

• Hands-On Projects: Tackle real-world challenges aimed to support leadership development such as council governance, peer learning opportunities, and network presentations. 

Meet the 2025 ELC Members 

The 2025 Emerging Leaders Council features a talented and diverse group of professionals committed to driving health system transformation and cultivating leadership skills for nonprofit management. Representing a wide range of expertise and geographic diversity, this year’s ELC roster reflects the strength of the Civitas network and its dedication to collaboration and innovation as well as fostering rising talent. 

Here’s the full list of the 2025 ELC members: 

• Abbey Harburn, Wisconsin Collaborative for Health Care Quality 

• Alexandra Hryciuk, Velatura 

• Ami Hanna, Comagine Health 

• Berenice Herrera-Lopez, Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County 

• Cyndi Erives, CyncHealth 

• Ellen Clewett, Data Across Sectors for Health 

• Elizabeth “Beth” Nech, KFMC Health Improvement Partners 

• Henry Vynalek, CliniSync (Ohio Health Information Partnership) 

• Jayme Piña, Contexture 

• Jean Storm, Quality Insights 

• Jillian Greenbaum, HEALTHeLINK 

• Juan Nanez, PHIX 

• Kelly Richards, Virginia Health Information 

• Katrina Seipp-Lewington (Chair), Comagine Health 

• Kristen Schuster, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health 

• Mandi Neff, AAFP 

• Mandy Johnson, Kansas Healthcare Collaborative 

• Megha Arora, Bronx RHIO 

• Megan Gibs, MiHIN 

• Michelle Hunt, North Carolina Health Information Exchange Authority 

• Niurka “Nikki” Lluveras-Hernandez, Civitas Networks for Health 

• Patrick Meehan, Indiana Health Information Exchange 

• Phillip Gibbs, SYNCRONYS 

• Tamara “Tammy” Elliott, KFMC Health Improvement Partners 

• Van Le (Vice Chair), PelEX 

Understanding the ELC’s Work – ELC Civitas Conference Session Focuses on Employee Engagement and Retention 

The 2024 Emerging Leaders Council convened for an engaging and interactive session focused on Employee Engagement and Retention—the cornerstone of thriving organizations in today’s evolving workplace landscape–at the Civitas Annual Conference in October 2024. This in-person session represented a key opportunity for ELC members to drive their work forward, collaborate, and develop actionable strategies for creating meaningful change. 

Highlights from their time together, included: 

• Explored the shifting dynamics of workplace culture, where flexibility, personalization, and well-being are taking precedence over traditional perks. 

• Engaged in brainstorming and group discussions to identify innovative, practical employee engagement strategies tailored to diverse organizational needs. 

• Learned about cutting-edge approaches to compensation, flexible benefits, and transparent communication, supported by real-world examples and data-driven trends. 

• Collaborated on actionable roadmaps to implement personalized engagement strategies while addressing equity and scalability challenges. 

Participants left with fresh ideas, actionable strategies, and a commitment to fostering an engaged, motivated workforce that they could bring back to their respective organizations.  

This session provided a unique platform for Emerging Leaders to collaborate, share expertise, and shape solutions that address the critical challenges of employee retention in a transformative era.  

The ELC looks forward to convening again at the Civitas Networks for Health Annual Conference in Anaheim, California this coming September.  

A Look Ahead: What Will 2025 Will Bring for the ELC?

Civitas is excited to work with this talented group of individuals! The ELC will tackle important initiatives in 2025, including having a key presence at the Civitas’ Annual Conference and contributing to ongoing projects that align with our mission to use data to improve health. With these exceptional leaders at the helm, we are poised to continue driving meaningful progress across our member organizations and communities. Please join us in congratulating our new ELC members and their commitment to advancing health system transformation. 

For questions or to learn more about the Emerging Leaders Council, email us at .