HBA Women of the Year Reshema Kemps-Polanco and Bridgette Heller to Ignite 2025 Annual Conference with Inspiring Opening Keynote
An Exclusive Fireside Chat on Leadership, Vision, and Impact in Healthcare
The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) is proud to present a standout session at its 2025 Annual Conference, spotlighting two powerhouse leaders whose vision and impact have shaped the future of healthcare: Reshema Kemps-Polanco, 2025 HBA Woman of the Year, and Bridgette Heller, 2013 HBA Woman of the Year.
In this exclusive moderated fireside chat, conference attendees will gain unprecedented access to the mindsets, capabilities, and pivotal career moments that propelled these leaders to the top and sustained their influence for decades. Designed to be personal, inspiring, and deeply relevant, this conversation will equip participants with fresh perspective and lasting motivation to lead with purpose at every stage of their career.
This fireside chat delivers a powerful mix of strategic insight, candid personal stories, and practical takeaways – making it a can’t-miss session for anyone ready to elevate their leadership and impact in healthcare and beyond. Secure your spot at the 2025 HBA Annual Conference today and be part of this transformative conversation.
About Reshema Kemps-Polanco
Honored with the 2025 HBA Woman of the Year Award, Reshema Kemps-Polanco serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Novartis US, overseeing the expansion of medicines across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Kemps-Polanco is recognized as a purpose-driven leader who galvanizes teams to demonstrate uncommon courage and redefine what’s possible to help more patients live longer, better lives. She is dedicated to reducing healthcare inequities and developing the next generation of leaders who reflect the diverse patients and communities they serve.
Kemps-Polanco serves on the boards of Charles Rivers Laboratories International and the Healthcare Leadership Council. HBA honored her as the 2025 Woman of the Year for her transformative leadership in commercializing innovative medicines and her impact in cultivating leaders across the healthcare industry.
About Bridgette Heller
Honored with the 2013 HBA Woman of the Year Award, Bridgette Heller is the Co-founder and CEO of the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation, which works to improve literacy in reading, math, and science for underserved students in South St. Petersburg, Florida. With more than 30 years of experience in Fortune 100 and private equity-owned enterprises, Heller has driven organizational excellence globally, holding executive roles at Nutricia (Danone), Merck Consumer Care, Johnson & Johnson’s Global Baby Division, and serving as CEO of Chung’s Gourmet Foods.
Heller also serves on the boards of Aramark, Dexcom, Integral Ad Sciences, Novartis, and Newman’s Own, as well as on the boards of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete and Northwestern University. She earned her MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a BA from Northwestern University.