Keynotes - SHSMD Connections 2026

In an environment where uncertainty is the only constant, success belongs to leaders who can assess risk, adapt quickly, and act with confidence. Drawing from years as professional improvisers, Matthew Moore and Candida Rodriguez reveal how the principles of improvisation—listening, trust, rapid decision-making, and recovery—mirror the real risks leaders face every day. Participants learn how to move beyond fear-based decision-making, embrace productive risk, and build teams that thrive under pressure. And we have fun doing it!

Three Takeaways

Smart risk is a skill – leaders will practice decision-making under uncertainty and act with confidence.
Speed beats certainty – participants will practice the value of making timely, thoughtful decisions in the moment as opposed to waiting for perfect information.
Collaboration lowers risk – using the foundations of improvisation, we learn that trust and teamwork help organizations adapt and respond effectively when outcomes are uncertain.

Candida Rodriguez Bio:

Candida brings over two decades of experience from her time with Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre, where she blended arts, education, and public health into powerful programming that informed, inspired, and entertained. Her unique ability to merge performance with purpose led her naturally to the world of improvisation.

An advocate for the arts as a tool for growth, Candida is honored to be part of IFTP’s distinguished faculty, bringing her signature blend of humor, insight, and heart to every IFTP keynote, improv camp, workshop, class, and show.

Matthew Moore Bio:

Matthew Moore is the Artistic Director of Improv for the People (IFTP), founded in 2008. Several years ago, Improv for the Professional was launched as he saw an appetite for creative and interactive corporate events, trainings, and keynotes.

With a deep-rooted passion for service stemming from his extensive management experience in the hotel industry for over 20 years, Moore has a genuine commitment to bringing teams together using the fundamentals of improvisation to achieve a shared objective. He is a graduate of Purdue University.

In a time of relentless disruption, margin pressure, and rising consumer expectations, healthcare organizations face a defining question: How do we grow by being more human?

Jason A. Wolf, President & CEO of The Beryl Institute, challenges leaders to rethink experience not as a service initiative, but as a strategic imperative that drives trust, loyalty, workforce resilience, and long-term growth. Drawing on global insights from healthcare organizations across the world, Wolf reframes “patient experience” into a broader human experience—one that integrates patients, families, workforce, and community as a single, interconnected ecosystem.

This keynote will push SHSMD leaders to:

Understand the direct link between experience, brand, culture, and performance
Embrace leadership behaviors that create alignment, purpose, and accountability
Move from transactional interactions to meaningful human connection at scale

Provocative, practical, and inspiring, Wolf’s message equips marketing, strategy, and communications leaders to lead change with clarity, courage, and humanity — because the future of healthcare will be defined not by technology alone, but by how people experience it.

Jason A. Wolf, PhD, CPXP Bio:

Jason A. Wolf, PhD, CPXP is President of The Beryl Institute. He is a passionate champion and globally recognized expert on patient experience improvement, organization culture, and sustaining high performance in healthcare. His driving purpose is unleashing the potential within all of us and elevating the idea that at the heart of healthcare we are ultimately human beings caring for human beings. Jason’s thought leadership in patient and human experience is reflected in his latest books. Through these works, he offers actionable insights on healthcare transformation, making him a compelling speaker for global conferences, leadership summits, executive workshops, and industry events. His expertise continues to shape conversations on improving healthcare experiences worldwide.

We’ve been told for years that the secret to innovation is to “think outside the box.” But what if that’s exactly what’s holding us back?

In this provocative and energizing keynote, bestselling author and innovation strategist Sheri Jacobs flips the script on everything we think we know about creativity. She introduces a bold new approach: Innovation doesn’t require unlimited freedom—it thrives within clear boundaries. Boundaries aren’t barriers. They’re the launchpads for smarter risk-taking, faster progress, and bold new ideas.

Blending vivid storytelling, original research, and real-world insights from leaders and organizations across industries, Sheri brings to life the surprising truth: when people know the edges, they go further. Drawing from her powerful “playground” story—where a simple fence unlocked a wave of exploration—she invites leaders to redefine failure, rethink constraints, and create a culture where experimentation becomes second nature.

Whether you're leading a team, driving transformation, or simply trying to spark new thinking, this keynote will leave you with a powerful new lens on innovation and a practical toolkit to turn bold ideas into reality.

Attendees will learn:

A mindset shift on how boundaries drive — not block — creativity.
A practical method to assess your team’s risk tolerance and readiness for change.
Strategies to create a culture where constraints fuel creativity rather than stifle progress.

Sheri Jacobs Bio:

Sheri Jacobs, CEO, entrepreneur, & wildlife photographer provides a proven framework to help leaders innovate, redefine limits, and confidently embrace experimentation for lasting growth.

No matter the industry, organizations are all asking the same question: "How do we stay relevant, innovative, and connected to the people we serve?"

Sheri Jacobs has spent her career helping organizations answer that question. She's a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and data-driven strategist who has worked with more than 300 organizations to uncover what truly drives engagement, loyalty, and growth.

She's also the author of three best-selling books, including Pivot Point: Reshaping Your Business When It Matters Most, a guide for organizations navigating change and transformation.

But her perspective isn't just shaped by data — it's enriched by her creativity and passion.

The Improv Playbook: Taking Smart Risks and Adapting Fast

Reframing Growth Through Human Experience

The Unexpected Power of Boundaries: Rethinking the Rules, Risk and Real Drivers of Innovation