Becoming the Leader the World Needs
Workshop co-directors:
Attendees of the SHIFT workshops are expected to fulfil each of these responsibilities:
1 Attend the full workshop including the workshop dinner. Arrive on time and stay until the workshop ends.
2 Adhere to the dress code: Business casual for all events. (more business than casual; no jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirts
3. At each session, sit next to someone different who you did not know until meeting them at SHIFT10
4 Be fully present for every presentation and group discussion with all electronic devices put away and all sidebar conversations held until the break
Elizabeth Carr
Suzan Pitman
Page 4
Host organizations:
American College of Dentists
American College of Dentists Foundation
Page 5
About SHIFT
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Travel Information
Page 7
Program schedule
Page 9
Faculty list
Page 16
Participant list
Host Organization American College of Dentists
The American College of Dentists (ACD) is a forward-looking organization with the strength of more than a century of history and hard work giving the organization the credibility and professional capital necessary to get things done.
Since its inception, the ACD has done much to define, redefine and shape the future of the dental profession. Fellowship in the College is not a transactional relationship. It provides a means of pooling talent, skills, commitment and resources to belong to the higher purpose and calling established by the Founders more than 100 years ago. Although rooted in history, the College is committed to moving forward and its current programs, including SHIFT, are reflective of that commitment.
The ACD Foundation (ACDF) underwrites the educational programming for the ACD, including SHIFT. The Foundation was formed in 1972 to provide capital for ACD’s mission-based programs and address the needs of an active organization. Good stewardship and effective fundraising have ensured that the Foundation will serve as the funding source for top-notch programming and educational initiatives far into its second century.
Terry Norris ACD President
Robert Faiella, ACD Foundation President
About SHIFT
SHapIng the FuTure (SHIFT) workshops are intended to facilitate new leadership discoveries and create collaboration between participants from across the globe. These 2.5 day sessions are made up of a series of lectures and interactive discussion opportunities between workshop faculty and participants. The first SHIFT event took place in 2022 in Mahwah, New Jersey.
SHIFT Workshops
SHIFT1 (2022) MAHWAH, NJ
SHIFT2 (2023) JACKSON, MS
SHIFT3 ACD (2024) ROCKVILLE, MD
SHIFT4 (2024) ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
SHIFT5 (2024) ATHENS, GREECE
SHIFT6 (2025) IRVINE, CA
SHIFT7 ACD (2025) ROCKVILLE, MD
SHIFT8 ACD (2025) INDIANAPOLIS, IN
SHIFT9 (2025) ROCHESTER, MN
SHIFT1001 (2026) IRVINE, CA
SHIFT10 ACD (2026) VANCOUVER, CANADA
SHIFT11 ACD (2026) ROCKVILLE, MD
Travel Information
Location of Icebreaker and Workshops
June 5-7, 2026
ACD Headquarters 103 North Adams St. Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Workshop Dinner
June 6, 2026
TBD
Recommended Hotel
Cambria Hotel 1 Helen Heneghan Way, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Click here toaccesstheACD RoomBlock
Getting to Rockville
There are three airports that service Rockville, Maryland. All are about 45-60 min away by car if traffic is light.
Baltimore (BWI)
Approximately 38 miles from Rockville by car.
Washington Dulles (IAD)
Approximately 28 miles from Rockville by car better airport if renting a car.
Washington Reagan (DCA)
Approximately 22 miles from Rockville by car. It is a better airport if using public transportation as one can take the Metro rail directly from DCA to Rockville.
• Take the yellow line heading north (to Mt. Vernon Sq) from DCA.
• Change at Gallery Place station to red line heading northwest (to Shady Grove).
• Rockville is the penultimate stop.
• This Metro rail journey will probably take 65-75 minutes.
DAY 1
Friday, June 5, 2026
ACD Headquarters, 103 North Adams Street, Rockville, MD 20850
5:00 pm Welcome reception (cocktails and hors d’oeuvres) Elizabeth Carr and Suzan Pitman
6:00 Icebreaker Sreenivas Koka
7:30 Adjourn
Saturday, June 6, 2026
ACD Headquarters, 103 North Adams Street, Rockville, MD 20850
8:00 am Coffee and light breakfast
9:00 ACD, leadership and SHIFT Suzan Pitman, Terry Norris and Mike Graham
9:15 The last lecture Pete Guevara
10:15 Break
10:30 Starting over: Changing career paths Shane Simmons
11.15 Unleashing your creative self Frank Golding
12:15 pm Lunch
1:15 Giving and receiving feedback in high-risk conversations Elizabeth Carr 3:15 Break
3:30 Nuclear leadership Paul Mahipal
4:15 Panel discussion All faculty
4:45 Adjourn
7:00 Workshop social
Sunday, June 7, 2026
ACD Headquarters, 103 North Adams Street, Rockville, MD 20850
8:00 am Coffee and light breakfast
8:30 Spirituality in leadership Joe Crowley
9:15 Implants, insight and identity: A clinician’s path beyond teeth Nobu Nakai
10:00 Break 10:30 Effective mentoring Pooja Gangwani
11:15
Starting a practice from scratch: Leadership lessons learned. Brett Shirley
12:00 pm Lunch
12:45 The science and art of impactful branding Mike Graham 1:45 Break
2:15 The sweet spot Sreenivas Koka
4:00 Panel discussion All faculty
4:15 Certificate ceremony 4:30 Adjourn
Pooja Gangwani, poojagangwani9@gmail.com; Pooja is an Associate Professor and Residency Program Director in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry. She is a Diplomate of American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Fellow of American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Pooja earned her Dental Degree from New York University College of Dentistry where she was inducted in the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) dental honor society. She completed an Internship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She received her Advanced Training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center.
Pooja’s expertise ranges from corrective jaw surgery to reconstructive surgery after facial trauma to complex hard and soft tissue grafting procedures, dentoalveolar surgery and dental implant placement. She also treats patients with oral and facial pathology, and TMJ dysfunction.
Pooja spends a great deal of time educating her patients and providing treatment options, thus helping them make informed decisions about their own health. Her attention to detail and philosophy of delivering quality care has inspired trust in her patients and confidence in referring providers. She is passionate about delivering personalized patient care before, during, and after surgery.
Pooja is a recipient of the prestigious OMS foundation 2024 Faculty Educator Development Award (FEDA) and 2024 Daniel Laskin Award for the best paper published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the year 2023. She was recently awarded the OMS foundation research support grant to conduct a clinical study on marijuana use and anesthesia.
Pooja also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health Epidemiology from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She has a particular interest in clinical research and has served as an author of several book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals. Pooja is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. Dr. Gangwani enjoys educating residents and finds it extremely rewarding.
SHIFT11 Faculty
Elizabeth Carr is a dedicated advocate for oral health in her roles as Professor and Chair of Dental Hygiene and the Director of the Mississippi Population Oral Health Collaborative at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Dentistry. A proud native of the Mississippi Delta, Elizabeth was raised in both Catholic and Baptist communities and began her academic journey at Delta State University. She earned her Baccalaureate degree in Dental Hygiene at UMMC, a Master of Dental Hygiene from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and a Doctorate of Health Administration from UMMC. In 2025, Elizabeth earned an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Elizabeth’s commitment to advancing oral health has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named the UMMC School of HealthRelated Professions Alumnus of the Year and a Healthcare Hero by the Mississippi Business Journal. She has published research on teaching methodology, leadership, and courage, reflecting her passion for inspiring others to make courageous choices and navigate career and life changes confidently.
With a track record of working with non-profit stakeholders, Elizabeth has advocated for changes that enhance oral health. She has a lifelong dedication to improving public health and engaging and collaborating with different communities.
Mahipal (Paul) Rathod obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at Saint John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences in New York. Subsequently, he obtained his Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist Certification (ANP) And Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) certifications through the The Ohio State University, the University of New Mexico and University of Arkansas Medical Sciences. He obtained his Board-certified Nuclear Pharmacist (BCNP) certification from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties in 2007, and is 1 of 356 BCNP’s worldwide.
Paul is a seasoned Nuclear Medicine subject matter expert and a visionary leader with extensive experience in all clinical applications of radiopharmaceutical use. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Director, Nuclear Pharmacy Services for The Ohio State University | Wexner Medical Center | Arthur G. James Cancer | Solove Research Institute. Dr. Rathod bears proven expertise in managing large-scale Nuclear Medicine and Radiopharmacy operations spanning a global supply chain, and engages with Executive, C-Suite, Domestic and Foreign Policymakers and stakeholders in the rapidly-evolving and highly regulated area of precision medicine.
Paul’s leadership has been pivotal in advancing safety standards, fostering cross-functional collaboration across internal teams and across continents, establishing best practices in complex health system systems based on his background in commercial, non-profit and academic environments. Paul’s deep knowledge, combined with his dedication to education and absolute passion for outreach makes him a valued advisor and key global thought leader in the field of nuclear medicine.
Joseph P. Crowley is a nationally recognized leader in organized dentistry with more than four decades of experience in clinical practice, professional governance, and oral-health advocacy. A past president of the American Dental Association (2017–2018), Joe has held extensive leadership roles at the national, state, and local levels, including service as ADA Seventh District Trustee, chair of multiple ADA committees, and a long-standing contributor to initiatives advancing licensure reform, dental education, and evidence-based practice.
A Fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the Academy of General Dentistry, Joe has dedicated his career to strengthening the profession through strategic leadership, policy development, and mentorship. He practiced general dentistry in Cincinnati for 41 years before retiring from clinical practice in 2017. Joe continues to serve in influential roles such as Treasurer of the American College of Dentists, Vice Chair of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure, and director within several statewide oral-health initiatives.
Widely respected for his contributions, Joe has been honored with numerous awards, including the Ohio Dental Association’s Distinguished Dentist Award now named in his honor—the ODA Achievement Award, and distinguished alumni recognition from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. His lifelong commitment to advancing oral health, improving professional standards, and serving his community continues to shape dentistry at every level.
Shane Simmons is a healthcare administrator currently serving as Director of Operations and Strategy at Kettering Health. With more than 20 years of service experience, he has guided performance improvement, supported organizational growth, and led major initiatives within leading healthcare organizations.
Shane is a dynamic speaker who brings energy and perspective to conversations about healthcare delivery and organizational culture. He builds strong partnerships between clinical and business teams, strengthens processes, and introduces solutions that improve outcomes and support long-
n for leading with purpose, Shane is deeply committed to the success and development of his team members. His experience with cross-functional collaboration, strategic growth planning, digital innovation, and cultivating environments where people can do their best work.
Beyond his professional work, Shane enjoys life in Dayton, Ohio, with his wife, his college sweetheart – and their daughter, Ava.
Nobuyuki Nakai is a prosthodontist and implant specialist based in Kyoto, Japan. He is the director of Nakai Dental Office and serves as a clinical professor at a university, where he is actively involved in both postgraduate education and clinical research. His work bridges the fields of prosthodontics, implant dentistry, and oral rehabilitation, with a particular focus on edentulism, prosthesis design, and patient-centered treatment outcomes.
Known internationally as Nobu, he has published in leading prosthodontic journals and contributed to both national and international academic conferences. His research explores the impact of prosthetic interventions on oral function and quality of life, particularly in aging populations.
Beyond clinical and academic roles, Nobu is deeply engaged in the question of what it means to treat oral deficiency not only as a technical challenge but as a human experience. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to restoring not just teeth, but dignity, function, and identity.
Mike Graham is a veteran executive in the field of dentistry and serves the American College of Dentists as Executive Director. Throughout his career, Mike has demonstrated a passion for the dental profession, a dedication to motivating volunteer leaders and members, and a commitment to achieving substantial gains for the profession in Washington.
For nearly 30 years, Mike served the American Dental Association (ADA) in the Washington, DC-based Government Affairs office advocating on the behalf of member dentists and their businesses. Most recently, as Senior Vice President, Division of Government and Public Affairs, Mike led the ADA’s repeal of the longstanding antitrust exemptions of the McCarranFerguson Act and their COVID-19 response to re-open dental offices at the height of the pandemic. In this role, Mike managed ADA’s 29-member government affairs team and two ADA Councils. He built the ADA’s brand reputation to be one of the finest lobbying offices in Washington. Under his leadership, the ADA Political Action Committee has risen to one of the Top 50 PACs in Washington over the last 10 years, raising more than $1.5 million per year.
Earlier in his career, Mike served in government relations roles for the National Association for Medical Equipment Services, National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and Maryland Department of Human Resources.
Suzan Pitman is currently the ACD’s Program Director and has worn many hats in her decade with the College. Her deep commitment to mission-based work that has the potential to elevate the quality of life for all is a theme that runs through her professional as well as community life.
She is currently serving a second term as an appointee to the City of Rockville Planning Commission, to which she has been elected Chair twice by her colleagues. Her other Rockville community leadership roles have included community building and historic preservation. Suzan is also a former Vice President of the League of Women Voters of Comal County, Texas, where her work on consensus projects brought deeper understanding to multiple counties regarding the state of the Hill Country’s aquifers.
Suzan’s career in education included teaching geography and history, instructional strategy, grant writing and management, mentoring and peercoaching, and turning data into useful information that improved learning outcomes for teachers and students, all skills she thoroughly enjoys applying to her work at the ACD.
Suzan and her husband, David, live a bicycle ride away from ACD’s office in Rockville, Maryland.
COL Peter H. Guevara, a 1987 graduate of Saint Vincent College and 1992 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, began his military career in 1993 with the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and went on active duty in 1994. He served in Germany, Fort Bragg (NC), and with the 82nd Airborne Division and 3rd Special Forces Group (ABN), including deployments to Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program at Fort Bragg and later served as Assistant Program Director and Group Dental Surgeon.
COL Guevara left active duty in 2007 to teach at the University of Pittsburgh while continuing his service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He returned to active duty in 2009, serving at Fort Campbell, Schofield Barracks, and as Chief of Graduate Dental Education and Dean of the Army Postgraduate Dental School. In 2020, he became the Corps Specific Branch Proponent Officer for the Dental Corps, and in 2022, he assumed command of the Fort Carson Dental Health Activity.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), and he is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. He has held key roles in military dental education and was inducted into the Saint Vincent College Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. COL Guevara is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of General Dentistry.
COL Guevara is married to the former Karyn Jewell, and they have one daughter, Maya.
Brett Shirley lives in Nacogdoches, Texas and practices at Piney Woods Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In addition, he is employed on a part-time basis at Willis-Knighton Health System where he provides specialized services as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the area of microvascular reconstruction.
Brett is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Head and Neck Surgery. In addition, he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons.
Brett’s professional interests are in the areas of maxillofacial reconstruction, head and neck oncology, microvascular reconstruction and dental implantology.
Earned degrees at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (2008) and University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas (2011) Residency – Parkland Health and Hospital System (General Surgery - 2011 –2012)
Parkland Memorial Hospital, Children’s Medical Center Dallas, St. Paul Hospital, Zale-Liphsy, Veteran’s Hospital of North Texas, John Peter Smith Hospital (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - 2008 – 2014)
• Fellowship - John Peter Smith, Baylor All-Saints, Cook Children’s (Maxillofacial Oncology and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery – 2014 –2015)
Frank Golding, fgolding@gmail.com; Frank has 25+ years of digital media experience, including positions at Google and ESPN. He led the North American sports group for YouTube, managing two of the world’s largest multichannel sports networks, and launching live MLB and college football games. Previously he negotiated digital deals across all of ESPN’s U.S. properties, and was a senior executive on the team that launched and ran ESPN’s mobile phone business.
Frank invests in promising technology and media startups with novel missions to improve our environment, health, and communication. He holds a law degree from University of Virginia, and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. Frank has won a sports Emmy for innovation.
Sreenivas Koka received DDS and MS (prosthodontics) degrees from the University of Michigan He joined the University of Nebraska faculty in 1992, became a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics in 1995, and received his PhD in Oral Biology from the University of Nebraska in 1999 Sree is former Consultant and Chairman of the Department of Dental Specialties at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Sree received an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management in 2013 and moved to Zurich, Switzerland to be Executive Director of the Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation
Sree moved back to the US to focus on patient care and student education and open Koka Dental Clinic, focusing on implant and removable prosthodontics in San Diego Sree served as Dean of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry From April 2021-May 2024. He is currently the CEO of Executive Leadership Enterprises LLC and committed to helping early-career and firsttime leaders flourish in their new roles
Sree is a Fellow and Past-President of the Academy of Prosthodontics, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, former President of the International College of Prosthodontists, and former Chair of MIT’s Sloan School of Management Alumni Board. In addition, Sree is the co-founder of the Future Leaders in Prosthodontics (FLIP) and Shaping the Future of Implant Dentistry (SHIFT) workshop series.
Becoming the Leader the World Needs