Dawson Nimmo is the co-host of the Community Health Center Podcast and Executive Vice President at Higginbotham. With a deep commitment to supporting community health centers, Dawson specializes in insuring these organizations with tailored coverage solutions, including property, liability, and FTCA gap insurance. His expertise in risk management and dedication to helping health centers navigate the complexities of insurance make him a trusted voice in the industry. Through his work at Higginbotham, Dawson focuses on providing strategic solutions that help protect the operations and services of community health centers nationwide.

Karen has been CEO of OPTIMUS Health Care since January 2022, leading its mission to improve healthcare in communities across SW Connecticut. She previously served as COO, General Counsel, and chair of the OPTIMUS Foundation. With a unique background in law, nursing, and management, Karen brings over two decades of experience across healthcare delivery, legal practice, and risk management. She spent 10 years as a nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, nine years practicing healthcare law and medical malpractice defense, and four years in hospital risk management. She is a mission-focused, innovative leader with a proven record of launching programs, improving performance, and building consensus. Karen holds a JD, MBA, and BS in Nursing from Boston College. As CEO, she oversees OPTIMUS operations, strategy, finances, compliance, fundraising, and community outreach, ensuring organizational growth and sustainability.

Rebecca Mankin, MPA, CGFM, ACHE, is a seasoned healthcare executive with extensive experience in financial and operational leadership. As the Chief Executive Officer of Mankin Consulting, LLC since January 2019, Rebecca has served in various executive roles, leveraging significant C Suite expertise to support community health centers. Prior experience includes roles as Chief Financial Officer at C Suite Consulting, LLC and Northwest Health Services, Inc., where Rebecca implemented revenue cycle enhancements and developed substantial budgets. Rebecca's background also includes positions such as Interim Compliance Officer & Audit Manager at ProEnergy Services, Director of Clinical and Business Operations at Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, and leadership roles within the State of Missouri's Division of Administration.

Toniann Richard is the CEO of HCC Network, a Rural Health Network supported by multiple funders, partners and investors. Ms. Richard has raised millions in grant funding since 2007 — funds that continue to be directed toward programs that close access barriers for the underserved. Since 2007, she has grown her staff from two full-time employees to over 130 full-time employees and developed a successful business model that supports a $15 million fiscal impact. 

She is a graduate of Baker University, Center for Creative Leadership – Leadership Fundamentals, University of Kansas Community Health Center Executive Fellowship and has completed the Harvard School of Health Leadership Strategies for Evolving Health Care Executives Fellowship program.