HBA Central Staff

Kayla Brennan joined the HBA in 2022 as the Manager, Central Education, Meetings, and Events. In her role, she combines her skills in process development and creativity with her passion for advancing women to assist in the development and implementation of educational content strategy and central event design and logistics.

Prior to working at the HBA, Kayla managed the educational offerings and supported the volunteer experience at a non-profit association in the higher education space. Kayla holds BS degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Clemson University and still resides in South Carolina. Outside of work, Kayla is an avid reader and loves spending time with her book club, playing volleyball in a local adult recreation league, traveling to see friends and family, and spoiling her dog Cooper.

Barbara Bull, senior director of member & volunteer experience, joined the HBA as a part-time contract employee in 2007 and then joined the HBA staff full time in 2009. She began her HBA career as an event database specialist working directly with the chapters on their signature and special events. She has also served as a chapter operations manager before taking on her current role as director, chapter care.  Barbara’s team oversees all aspects of chapter operations, ensuring compliance with HBA standards and processes, and providing access to resources needed to execute their roles and responsibilities. Barbara has been a contributor to the HBA’s new operating model and responsible for development of the HBA expansion into new geographies, including determining the timeline for implementation and selecting key leaders

Rachael Callahan joined the HBA in 2023 and holds the position of Director, Central Meetings and Events. She is actively involved in progressing the MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) through her service on professional committees and as a mentor to hospitality students. In her role at the HBA, she blends her career passion for designing innovative and engaging event experiences with her personal passion of advancing women in business.

Prior to working at the HBA, Rachael acquired more than a decade of event experience through progressively more complex convention and meeting planning roles at medical associations and third-party meeting planning companies. She holds both the CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and DES (Digital Event Strategist) credentials. Rachael was named a 40 under 40 Event Professional and Smart Women in Meetings Industry Leader. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Illinois State University.
 
Rachael resides in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and son. When she isn't spending time with them or other friends and family, she likes to travel, read, cook, and bake.

Amanda joined the HBA in 2022 as a member of the Corporate Account Engagement and Relations team. She comes to us as an ally for the advancement of women within the healthcare industry.

Amanda was born and raised in Texas and graduated from The University of North Texas. She has a background in social work, clinical research, and pharma. She is most passionate about women’s rights, animal rights, mental health, and DV survivor support.

Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets. She also enjoys traveling, antiquing, Broadway shows, and hiking to get the most picturesque views. Amanda looks forward to creating meaningful partnerships that evoke success for all.

Telesia enjoys designing high-impact educational experiences. She activated this passion in her roles as director of multicultural affairs at the University of South Carolina Aiken and as dean for campus life at Presbyterian College. She later transitioned to the association space at the National Association for Campus Activities, serving as director of education and research. She joined the HBA team in early 2021 and works to establish the educational content strategy for the association and to develop global learning initiatives.

Her own life-changing educational experiences ignited and cultivated her enthusiasm for education. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Paine College, a Master’s degrees in student personnel services and higher education business administration and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policies from the University of South Carolina.

Telesia resides in Columbia, SC and finds joy in reading, traveling and spending time with her husband and son. She is also an avid women’s basketball fan, never missing an opportunity to cheer on her Gamecocks at UofSC and any WNBA team with former Gamecocks.

Bridget Fairbanks joined the HBA family in 2015 and holds the position of customer experience manager. In this role, Bridget works a great deal in aiding in technical support questions, cancellations and refunds and general customer service questions. She also serves as support to her colleagues on the HBA staff.

Bridget is new to nonprofit associations but has worked for over nine years in the healthcare industry serving in many roles from secretary, scheduling manager and administrative assistant. In her free time, Bridget enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Leena Gademsky joined the HBA as a director of IT in 2011. She is responsible for developing and implementing HBA’s virtual technology and support strategy.  Her main duties include managing the organization’s technology-related vendors, the HBA website, the membership and event database, hardware and software, e-communications, and other technology-related activities.

Leena has a master’s degree in computer science from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from India. She began her career at Electronic Data Systems and has held progressively more responsible positions within the consulting industry. She has 20+ years of experience in information technology.

Katie Cammer joined the HBA in October of 2013 and currently holds the position of manager of chapter care. Katie serves as the main point of contact for all chapter and affiliate board members, to include the oversight of onboarding executive committee members, ensuring compliance with HBA standards and processes, and providing access to resources needed to execute their roles and responsibilities. She aids in the development of the HBA expansion into new geographies, including determining the timeline for implementation and selecting key leaders in HBA affiliates, as well as serving as an HBA staff person on the HBA Europe expansion. 

Before joining the HBA, Katie previously served in a program development/office management role at a national nonprofit association. She held several roles in the government contracting/telecommunications field prior to joining the association world in 2012. She attended Christopher Newport University where she worked towards a bachelor’s of science in business administration. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, as well as volunteering at her daughter’s elementary school. 

Serene B. Hollingsworth joined the HBA in 2020 as director, corporate accounts where she looks to create powerful alliances with our corporate partners to advance gender parity in healthcare executive roles. She is responsible for managing the corporate relations team and key HBA corporate partner accounts. Serene provides strategic guidance with a focus on building deep relationships and being the voice of our HBA corporate partners.

Serene brings to the HBA over 15 years of experience building trusted relationships and sustaining strategic winning partnerships with key stakeholders in U.S. health systems, media, publishing and advertising verticals. She has partnered with global accounts managing relationships with McDonalds, Proctor & Gamble, Ford, AT&T and others.

Outside of work, Serene is mother to four young adult daughters, grandmother to Naomi, Ezra, and Liam; and mom to a Black Lab she calls, Egypt. She is also a college sports fan. “Go Buckeyes” and March Madness fanatic! Serene is an avid reader of online content and books. She is often found reading several books at once. Many have a play list. Serene has a read list. Current read list: “The Day Howdy Doody Died My Stolen Memoir”; “Bint” The Complete Trilogy; “Anonymous Is Woman: A Global Chronicle of Gender”; “Conscious Business”; and “Washington Black”. Serene looks forward to stretching, building, and doing great work with the HBA.

Petrina Hurtado joined the HBA in 2014 and currently holds the position of associate director of membership. Petrina is responsible for member onboarding and retention initiatives, administering membership promotions and customer service, as well as supporting chapter/affiliate volunteers in the areas of membership, volunteer care, and market research.

Petrina earned her master’s degree in social work from the University at Buffalo where she received the Therese Eusanio Memorial Award for work toward social change in the area of women’s health. She has held diverse roles in both direct services and administration of nonprofits including the Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence, Haven House domestic violence shelter, the Adirondack Medical Center, and Hillside Family of Agencies.
 

Michelle Morse joined the HBA in February 2021. She supports the HBA’s regional and chapter leaders in the development and implementation of the HBA’s volunteer-led events, including event programming and educational seminars. She prides herself in keeping programs on schedule and within scope and budget, while working toward high efficiencies and flawless execution. The part of her job that she enjoys most is relationship building with volunteer member leaders, partners and other key stakeholders. Michelle also manages other member value offerings such as the HBA mentoring program and affinity groups. This is a passion project for her, as she credits much of her own career growth and professional accomplishments to the guidance she has received from her many mentors and communities. She is excited to join the HBA’s member experience team and to have a positive impact on HBA’s mission of achieving gender parity within the field of healthcare (and ideally one day in all aspects of society). As the daughter of an immigrant, she also has a strong interest in diversifying voices in leadership roles to include individuals from various distinct and unique backgrounds.

Michelle holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute and a BA from American University with a focus in psychology and literature. She has over ten years’ experience working in association management first with a military nonprofit organization and, most recently, with a medical association dedicated to improving women’s health. In her free time, Michelle volunteers with her local animal rescue, curls up with a good book, and travels with friends and family.

Lauren Peck joined HBA in December of 2013 and is currently associate director of stakeholder engagement. As a member of the Member Experience department, she helps oversee the HBA’s stakeholder-facing volunteer functions (corporate relations, membership, and volunteer experience), working closely with cross-functional staff, to create the optimal experience for all. In her role, Lauren is invested in designing and implementing the ideal organizational structures across HBA for maximum efficiency and volunteer satisfaction, and is a resource for volunteer leaders at all levels, across all functions. Lauren works globally across the organization: advising/supporting the global council and affinity groups; helping drive HBA’s global growth strategy/locations and Community engagement; overseeing the HBA’s global Ambassador Program and committee, and supervising HBA’s European office and European Leadership Summit team.

Over her time with HBA, Lauren has held a number of evolving roles. Most recently, she was senior manager of corporate development, focusing primarily on HBA’s corporate customers. Prior to that role, she was manager of chapter development and assisted in the design of the organization’s new operating model before supporting and managing the transition into the new model with multiple regions. When Lauren first joined HBA, it was as manager of meetings and events administration, where she managed and supported the former Metro chapter (now the NY/NJ/CT Region), their board and volunteers.

Before joining HBA, Lauren worked in event coordination and office management for a private entertainment company and graduated from Rutgers University with a focus in art history and Italian. Lauren currently resides in New Jersey, USA and volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters and YWCA Princeton. In her free time, Lauren is a self-proclaimed bookworm, loves traveling, baking (but not cooking), and spending time with her friends, family, husband and dog.

Jeanne Piceno joined the HBA in November 2017 as corporate accounts coordinator. In 2023, she transitioned to the role of data coordinator, where she continues to support the Account Management team with corporate partner and sponsor benefit programs and now also works closely with Petrina Hurtado, Associate Director, Member Strategy and Analytics, to ensure that HBA staff and stakeholders have the data and information they need to best support our members, Corporate Partners, and volunteers.

Prior experience includes roles in communications and professional development at several associations, as well as administrative support and office manager positions with both large and small companies.

Jeanne received a BA in communication studies, with a focus on public relations and a minor in marketing.

Malissa Quarterman joined the HBA in October 2017 as the senior manager, finance. The responsibilities of this role include, general ledger maintenance and chapter financial statements and analysis.

Malissa has held various accounting positions in state government, for-profit and non-profit organizations. She earned her bachelor of science in accounting at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA and master of business administration in business management from Strayer University.                                                                                                                                                               

Lauren Rhodes is Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s new Membership Coordinator where she will focus on supporting members and Corporate Partners. Prior to joining the HBA, she coordinated executive recruiting searches specializing in gender equity and has experience in account management. She is excited to continue pushing for an inclusive environment with gender equity in every workplace.
 
Lauren graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness. She and her partner live just outside of Nashville and spend their time with their animals (horse, dog, and two cats), going to concerts, and gardening.

Rob Smith joined the HBA in 2022 as Corporate Partner Engagement, Senior Account Manager. His goals are to create a fusion of harmony with our Corporate Partners to advance gender equity in healthcare executive roles. Rob is responsible for managing many of the HBA's most key accounts. He delivers on the voice of customer and representing the needs of our partners.

Rob started his career in healthcare as combat medic for the USAF and took his clinical experience to SaaS EHR software consulting industry and eventually managed services account management/vendor services for large health systems on the global level, to include the VA and DoD.

Rob earned his Bachelor's of Science - Global Business from Arizona State University. He's passionate about improving the overall patient experience along with advancing and supporting those who provide patient care!

Gabrielle is passionate about the advancement of all women into executive leadership in every business vertical and a champion for social justice. 

Gabrielle is Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s (HBA) newest Corporate Partner Engagement Associate Manager. Gabrielle has a business administration, accounting, and banking background. Looking forward to learning more about the HBA and using this position to create the most positive, inclusive, and successful environment for ALL for generations to come!
 

Danielle Trama has joined the HBA in the role of Associate Manager, Sales. She brings over 12 years of sales and customer support experience in both the for-profit and non-profit spaces. Previously, she spent seven years working for a non-profit organization, Dispensary of Hope, where she worked closely with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors to provide free medication access to the low-income, uninsured population of the United States.

Danielle is a people person who enjoys making an impact in individuals lives and supporting them through challenging times. She looks to make a difference at the HBA by supporting women to achieve their goals of advancing into leadership roles and helping businesses build upon their gender parity initiatives.

Danielle earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University. She currently lives in Colorado Springs, CO with her husband, their two dogs, and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys hosting family and friends, DIY projects, and hiking.

Lanesha Whitefield is from Nashville, Tennessee. She is a proud graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. There, she was an active member of Alpha Kappa Psi, Inc. Professional Business Fraternity. After graduating from undergrad with a BA in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing, she relocated to Chicago, IL where she attended Keller Graduate School of Management and received a Master’s in Non-Profit Organization Management. For the last 15 years, she has been an active member in her community, served as a Personal Banker, Fraud Investigator, and a Corporate Account Manager in the Chicago-land area. She is passionate about creating opportunities for youth to thrive in their chosen field and regularly enjoys watching football and track & field.  

Nancy White joined the HBA team in early 2017 and serves as Senior Director of Communications. In this role, Nancy leads the association’s overall communications strategy with oversight on thought leadership,  signature and awards event brand messaging, media and ally outreach, and social media. She also helps develop and publish HBA brand content, working with HBA’s global leadership and network of volunteers and partners. 

With more than 30+ years experience, Nancy brings significant public relations and marketing expertise to the HBA. She has worked in similar roles with other globally recognized associations including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Automobile Association (AAA) and SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management). A native of Michigan, Nancy earned her bachelor’s of arts in English from Wayne State University.