2026 Planting Seeds of Innovation Conference

8:00-9:00        Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00-9:15        Welcome and Introduction

Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP
Dean
University of Minnesota School of Nursing

Shirley A. Brekken, MS, RN, FAAN
Director, Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership
University of Minnesota School of Nursing

9:15-10:15    Keynote:  The Alignment Advantage: Leadership and Innovation in Complex Systems

Whitney Line, DNP, RN, PHN
Healthcare Innovation and Insights Lead, Solventum

To become innovators and effective leaders, many of us seek additional skills, roles,  strategies, and credentials that promise success. In healthcare, this often means accumulating responsibility and expertise while navigating increasingly complex systems. Over time, this approach can leave even the most capable clinicians exhausted, misaligned, and struggling to sustain meaningful influence.  This keynote explores how enduring innovation and leadership are shaped by harnessing personal pillars, the foundational, individual elements rooted in one’s values, passions, sources of meaning, and joy that consistently shape how we engage people, systems, and change. When leaders operate in alignment with these pillars, clarity, energy, and credibility follow, enabling more intentional action and sustained impact. Drawing from experience in clinician-led innovation, system-level change, and community advocacy, this talk examines how change in complex systems is built through millions of points of contact, repeated consistently across settings and relationships. Innovation is framed as the intentional planting of the right seeds, in the right spaces, allowing synergy across individuals, teams, and systems to take root and grow.

*Support for learners and mentors to attend the conference was provided by TRaining in Informatics for Underrepresented Minorities in Public Health (TRIUMPH) Consortium. This project is/was supported by the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number (90PH0005/01-16). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by ASTP, HHS or the U.S. Government.

10:15-11:00    Empowering Nursing Leadership for Planetary Health

Jo Bjorgaard, DNP, RN, PHN, CSSBB
RISE Climate + Health Collective, Founding Director

Nurses play a vital role in shaping more sustainable healthcare systems, yet many are still unsure how to integrate sustainability and planetary health into their practice . In this session, I share reflections from my experience from my own experience educating, engaging, and building capacity within nursing across healthcare, academic, and community settings.  Through stories from my practice, I reflect on how I have worked to use nursing leadership to influence systems, engage partners, and translate concern into meaningful action. I also share insights on what has helped build confidence and momentum over time, both individually and collectively. This session invites participants to reflect on how nursing leadership can continue to evolve to support healthier outcomes for people, communities, and the planet.

11:00-11:15    Break

11:15-12:30    Panel: Leadership in Policy: Local to National

Margaret Moss (moderator), PhD, JD, RN, FAAN, FADLN
University of Minnesota School of Nursing

Brian Quinn, MSN, RN, PHN, CPP, Mayor, City of Lake City, MN

Brooke Cunningham, MD, PhD, Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health

Jen Prochnow, DNP, MBA, RNC-MNN, NEA-BC, PHN, Professor and Coordinator, Graduate Nursing Leadership Program, Winona State University

Brian K. Goodroad, DNP, APRN, CNP, FAANP, FAAN, Clinical Professor, University of Minnesota School of Nursing and Nurse Practitioner, Positive Care (HIV) Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare

We will convene a distinguished group of experts who will examine several of the most significant policy challenges influencing healthcare delivery, organizational performance, and community well being across local, state, and system levels.
This session will provide a structured, interdisciplinary exploration of how policy is developed, operationalized, and experienced within complex healthcare environments. Our panelists will address critical domains including health equity, economic and workforce stability, public health infrastructure, and the governance frameworks that guide decision making across our institutions. Throughout the discussion, we will emphasize the essential role of key partner engagement—particularly the voices of patients, families, frontline clinicians, and community partners—in shaping responsive and effective policy. Panelists will also focus on the translation of policy into practice, highlighting strategies that support implementation, accountability, and measurable impact. By drawing on lessons learned across diverse settings, this dialogue aims to advance collaborative, innovative, and evidence informed approaches to policymaking that strengthen the health and resilience of the populations we serve.

12:30-1:30    Lunch provided

1:30-3:15     Interactive Workshop: Personalized Policy Advocacy

Stephanie Gingerich, DNP, RN, CPN

Stacey Grenier, DNP, RN

Kelaine Haas, PhD

This interactive workshop empowers leaders to transition from passive observation to active influence by developing a Personalized Policy Action Plan. Moving beyond theoretical discussion, participants will engage in a "Micro-Advocacy" analysis to connect daily operational challenges—both internal and external—to broader systemic policy decisions. Through a structured Interest Inventory, attendees will audit their personal passions, clinical expertise, and professional capacity to determine their most effective Choice Point: Local, State, or National policy. Once grouped by their chosen level of influence, participants will engage in facilitated peer-to-peer strategy sessions and a cross-pollination gallery walk to refine their advocacy goals. The session culminates in the Policy Pledge, where leaders commit to one high-priority, immediate action—such as scheduling a legislative meeting or joining a local board—ensuring they leave with a concrete, scheduled roadmap for professional advocacy and systemic change.

3:15-4:00    Innovating the Human Element: Leadership's Role in Driving Wellbeing and Sustainable Healthcare

Stacey Grenier, DNP, RN, Clinical Assistant Professor, UMN School of Nursing

Discover how human-centered leadership is crucial to creating flourishing teams. This presentation will explore the vital role of investing in the wellbeing of healthcare teams, demonstrating how a focus on the human element translates directly to measurable improvements in staff satisfaction, superior patient outcomes, and sustained operational success.

 4:00       Adjourn           

Jo Bjorgaard, DNP, RN, PHN, CSSBB, (she/her) is a nurse leader based in St. Paul, Minnesota, specializing in health innovation, leadership, and climate and health. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Minnesota and brings extensive experience in healthcare sustainability, climate advocacy, education, and systems-level change.  Jo’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to community partnership as a driver of improved health outcomes for both people and the planet. She has led and supported cross-sector initiatives that bridge healthcare, community organizations, academic institutions, and advocacy efforts to advance equitable, practical solutions that strengthen community and environmental resilience.  Her professional roles include Instructor & Teaching Specialist at the University of Minnesota, Senior Climate and Health Manager at the Climate Advocacy Lab, Founding Director of RISE Climate + Health Collective, Operations Director of the Planetary Health North American Hub, and Board Member and Committee Chair with Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate. Across these roles, Jo focuses on building leadership capacity, fostering collaboration, and translating big-picture ideas into meaningful, community-centered action.

Brooke Cunningham, MD, PhD, is responsible for directing the work of the Minnesota Department of Health. MDH is the state's lead public health agency, responsible for protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans. Prior to being appointed commissioner, Dr. Cunningham was appointed assistant commissioner for the Health Equity Bureau in 2022 by Commissioner Jan Malcolm. As assistant commissioner, Cunningham was responsible for overseeing the Center for Health Equity, the Office of American Indian Health, the COVID-19 Health Equity Team, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She also worked closely with leaders and staff in MDH’s other bureaus to advance health equity in their work.  Dr. Cunningham is a general internist, sociologist, and assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining MDH, her research focused on developing strategies to reduce racial disparities in health, including addressing the adverse impacts of exposure to racism. She also co-directed the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Thread in medical education. In 2021, she was selected as one of four inaugural recipients of the University of Minnesota’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Award. Cunningham is a primary care provider at the Community-University Health Care Clinic (CUHCC), a federally qualified health clinic in Minneapolis that serves a diverse patient population.

Stephanie Gingerich, DNP, RN, CPN, is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing, Specialty Coordinator for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Health Innovation and Leadership and the Director for Global Programming. Additionally, she is the Executive Editor for the Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies. Her scholarly focus is on global healthcare studies, partnership approaches to academic and professional nursing, and leadership. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Innovation and Leadership from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa. Dr. Gingerich is a Registered Nurse, dedicated professor to her students and colleagues, and active community member. Clinical Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Nursing

Brian K. Goodroad, DNP, APRN, CNP, FAANP, FAAN, is a Clinical Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota and a nurse practitioner in the Positive Care (HIV) Clinic at Hennepin Healthcare. With more than 39 years of experience caring for people living with HIV and over 25 years as a nurse educator, his work focuses on advancing HIV care, nursing education, and health policy that supports full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses 

Stacey Grenier, DNP, RN, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.  Dr. Grenier is a distinguished systems leader whose executive experience is deeply rooted in the care of older adults. Recognized for her proven ability to build and improve diverse teams, she champions a culture of collaboration and quality that drives exceptional results. Her work successfully shapes environments where organizations, teams, and communities flourish. Dr. Grenier leverages her scholarship and leadership to advance health equity and achieve sustainable outcomes for all, enabling system-wide transformation. She currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of the Honors, Awards, Recognition, & Kudos Committee, Coordinator of the Integrative Health and Healing and Post-Master’s DNP specialties at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.

Kelaine Haas, Ph.D.  As the Administrative Director at the University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing, Kelaine facilitates strategic initiatives and operations throughout the organization. In collaboration with the Dean, Kelaine plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, aligning resources, and ensuring the timely execution of key initiatives. A key component of Kelaine’s leadership is her ability to manage complex initiatives and coordinate multiple stakeholders across the school, university, and community. She serves as a vital liaison between senior leadership, faculty, students, and external stakeholders, ensuring that strategic goals are communicated clearly and executed effectively.  Her strategic vision, collaborative approach, and commitment to fostering inclusive and innovative academic environments have made her a leader in advancing educational excellence at the University of Minnesota and beyond.

Margaret Moss, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN, FADLN, University of Minnesota School of Nursing.  Dr. Moss is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation in North Dakota. She is the first and only American Indian to hold both Nursing and Juris Doctorates. She has been a nurse for 35 years and an academic for 24 years across 4 universities including the University of Minnesota (twice) where she has returned as Professor in Nursing and Associate Dean of Nursing and Health Policy, Yale University, SUNY Buffalo and the University of British Columbia (UBC). Dr. Moss was named to the inaugural Forbes 50 over 50 Impact List, 2021. She was honored with the Nurse with A Global Impact Award given at the UN Delegates Dining Room, 2023. She was elected to the American Academy of Nursing’s Board 2021 and has been elected a member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) (2022). She has contributed to 2 NAM consensus studies- Federal Policy to Advance Racial, Ethnic, and Tribal Health Equity (2022), and currently The Use of Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research. Dr. Moss published an award-winning text, American Indian Health and Nursing (2015) followed by Health Equity and Nursing (2020). In other experiences, Dr. Moss was a RWJF Health Policy Fellow and staffed the Senate Special Committee on Aging. She was a Fulbright Research Chair at McGill University on Indigenous Life Across the North American Context. She is asked to speak often on Indigenous, health, aging, diversity and policy issues with academics, health professionals and other groups nationally and internationally.

Jen Prochnow, DNP, MBA, RNC-MNN, NEA-BC, PHN, Professor and Coordinator, Graduate Nursing Leadership Program, Winona State University.  Dr. Prochnow is a tenured Professor and Coordinator of the Graduate Nursing Leadership Program at Winona State University–Rochester and a nationally recognized nurse leader whose work bridges clinical practice, executive leadership, and governance to prepare nurses for systems-level influence. With more than two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, executive nursing leadership, and graduate education, Dr. Prochnow is nationally recognized for her work in nurse leader burnout, resilience, board leadership, and innovative leadership education.   Dr. Prochnow’s scholarship and practice focus on nurse leader burnout, resilience, and the structures that enable sustainable leadership and organizational performance. She has led large-scale quality improvement initiatives, advised doctoral and master’s projects across diverse care settings, and publishes widely in peer-reviewed leadership and management journals. An active advocate for nurse representation in governance, she holds longstanding leadership roles with the Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing and the Nurses on Boards Coalition. Her work centers on preparing nurse leaders to influence policy, strategy, and systems-level change through informed, ethical, and board-ready leadership.

Brian Quinn, MSN, RN, PHN, CPP, is mayor of the City of Lake City, Minnesota. He is a healthcare leader and public servant whose career spans EMT-Paramedic, nursing practice across pediatrics, neurology, critical care, emergency department, corporate security management, and municipal leadership. With more than 30 years of experience in frontline care and system-level nursing leadership, he now serves as Mayor of the City of Lake City while continuing to balance a full time Security leadership role and nursing practice. His background includes directing complex clinical and operational systems and guiding teams through high-stakes decision-making environments. Currently completing doctoral studies in health innovation and leadership, Quinn applies a systems-thinking, research-driven approach to organizational change and public service. His journey from patient care to civic leadership reflects his belief that empathy, ethics, and collaborative decision-making are catalysts for meaningful innovation. Quinn joins this panel to share how planting small, intentional seeds of innovation across healthcare, security operations, and local government can grow into transformative community impact. 

Learning objectives

1. Leverage nursing leadership in advancing environmental sustainability.
2. Identify strategies to influence health policy development at the local, national, and global levels.
3. Strengthen nursing leadership impact by creating actionable steps to support individual, team, and organizational success.

Prepare to be inspired, equipped, and empowered to lead the transformative changes defining the next era of nursing.

This activity is equivalent to 6.6 Minnesota Board of Nursing contact hours. The program is designed to meet the Minnesota Board of Nursing requirements for continuing education. It is the responsibility of the individual nurse to determine if the course fulfills that requirement.
Upon completion of the conference survey, a certificate of attendance will be sent automatically.