Meet the Speakers

Meaningful Conversations Beyond the Stage
Get ready to connect, converse, and be inspired.

The Meet the Speakers sessions offer a unique and energizing space for Congress attendees to go beyond the auditorium and engage directly with the influential voices shaping the future of nursing and global health. Designed as intimate, informal dialogues, these sessions provide an opportunity to interact face-to-face with thought leaders from the main and plenary sessions — asking questions, exploring ideas, and gaining deeper insights into their journeys and expertise.

Held daily during the lunch break, each session is carefully themed to spotlight leadership, innovation, and storytelling in healthcare.

Join us in the Sade Room and take part in these enriching conversations that celebrate the power of connection, curiosity, and collective learning.

With limited seating available, early arrival is recommended to ensure your place in these high-impact conversations.

Tuesday, 10 June 1315 – 1415hrs
Room: Sade
Speaker: Helen Clark

Meet the speakers 1: Leadership Perspectives: Informal Conversations with a Global Health Visionary

Step into an inspiring dialogue on the future of health with Leadership Perspectives: Informal Conversations with Global Health Visionaries. In this special session, we welcome the Honourable Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and global advocate for sustainable development, mental health, and equity in health systems.
This intimate, candid conversation — moderated by David Stewart, ICN Director of Nursing Policy and Practice — offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the world’s foremost policy leaders. Helen Clark will share reflections on political leadership, shaping international development agendas, and how nurses can be empowered to lead transformative change across global health systems.

Wednesday, 11 June 1315 – 1415hrs
Room:  Sade
Speakers: Ai Tanimizu, Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Maggie Langins, Carey McCarthy

Meet the speakers 2: Global Nursing Leadership in Action: Empowering Change and Shaping Healthcare Systems

Join us for an exclusive “Meet the Speakers” session featuring key nursing and health system leaders from the World Health Organization. This engaging session offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Ai Tanimizu (WHO SEARO), Natasha Azzopardi Muscat and Margrieta Langins (WHO EURO) and Carey McCarthy (WHO). Together, they will share insights into WHO’s strategic directions for nursing and midwifery, global health systems, workforce policy, and the future of healthcare leadership. Participants will have the chance to interact, ask questions, and explore how international collaboration can strengthen nursing globally. Don’t miss this dynamic exchange with the voices shaping the future of health.

Thursday, 12 June 1315 – 1415hrs
Room:  Sade
Speaker: Carolyn Jones

Meet the speakers 3: Capturing Nursing’s Heart – A Conversation with Film Director Carolyn Jones

Join us for an intimate one-on-one interview with Carolyn Jones, the acclaimed film director behind American Nurses, Defining Hope, America Delivers, and other impactful documentaries highlighting the vital work of nurses. In this relaxed and engaging couch session, Carolyn will share insights into her journey of documenting the nursing profession through photos and films. The session will explore the powerful stories she’s captured, the challenges and triumphs of nurses she’s encountered, and the personal experiences that shaped her passion for telling these stories. Through visual storytelling, Carolyn will offer a unique perspective on the profound impact of nursing on healthcare systems and the individuals they care for. This session is an opportunity to gain deeper appreciation for the transformative power of nursing through the lens of one of the profession’s most influential filmmakers.

Friday, 13 June 1315 – 1415hrs
Room:  Sade
Speakers: Rola Hallam, Beverly Malone, Neelam Dhingra

Meet the speakers 4: Leading Change for Safer, Fairer Health Systems

Join us for Leading Change for Safer, Fairer Health Systems, an intimate, informal conversation with three extraordinary leaders working at the intersection of global health, patient safety, and nursing leadership. This session will explore bold strategies and personal journeys that are transforming health systems to be more inclusive, resilient, and people-centred.