CommHIT25

Debbie Allen, a BFA graduate of Howard University in Theater and Classical Greek Studies, holds five honorary Doctorate degrees, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was named a Kennedy Center honoree, and is an award-winning director/choreographer who has choreographed the Academy Awards a record ten times. She has directed and choreographed for legendary artists such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Gwen Verdon, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dolly Parton, Savion Glover, and most recently Tyler Perry’s A Jazzman’s Blues. Ms. Allen received the Golden Globe for her role as Lydia Grant in the 1980s hit series Fame, the Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of Anita in West Side Story. She is a four-time Emmy Award winner in Choreography for Fame (twice), The Motown 25th, and Christmas on the Square. She has also received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Movie Made for Television as Executive Producer of Christmas on the Square, and the Governors Award at the 73rd Emmys. Awarded ten Image Awards as director, actress, choreographer and producer for Fame, A Different World, Motown 25th, The Academy Awards, The Debbie Allen Special and Amistad, she has also directed the best that TV offers, including Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Jane The Virgin, Empire, Insecure, Ms. Pat, and Sam Jackson’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. She currently serves as Executive Producing Director of Grey’s Anatomy, where she recurs as Dr. Catherine Fox. She is the daughter of poet Vivian Ayers and Dr. Andrew Allen, wife to NBA All-Star Norman Nixon, sister to Phylicia Rashad, Tex Allen and Hugh Allen, mother of Vivian and Thump, and grandmother of four.

Chef Armstrong has emerged as one of the nation’s brightest culinary stars—a chef who continually cultivates his deeply rooted, passionate commitment to sustainability and locality. Born in Inglewood, CA and raised on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Armstrong is as unique a personality as he is a culinary talent. Armstrong has been a firsthand participant in L.A.’s culinary history for over two decades. He began his career training and working with Wolfgang Puck in the trend-setting kitchen of the original Spago. Armstrong then went on to hone his craft internationally in highly regarded European kitchens, including Arzak, the Michelin three-star restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain. Media highlights include feature in print—People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful” issue, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, O—and on television—The Oprah Winfrey Show, Iron Chef America, Today, Top Chef Masters, Extra, Style Network, OWN, Fine Living, and WE. Armstrong is the author of Small Bites, Big Nights: Seductive Little Plates for Intimate Occasions and Lavish Parties.

Liliana Chacon-Menay is a senior communications executive recognized for her global leadership in corporate communications, brand management, and strategic public relations. As Senior VP of Global Communications for LHH, a world leader in talent solutions and workforce transformation, and VP of Communications for the U.S. at The Adecco Group, the world’s leading talent solutions and advisory company, she shapes integrated strategies that strengthen organizational growth, corporate reputation, and employee engagement.​ With a career spanning corporate, academic, and nonprofit sectors, Liliana brings both strategic rigor and creativity to complex communication challenges. She has also served as a faculty member at The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, where she taught Strategic Public Relations and mentored future industry leaders.​ Known for fostering purposeful connection and innovation in communication, Liliana has built narratives that empower organizations and individuals alike, advancing a culture of clarity, accountability, and meaningful impact across global audiences.

Arthur Cooksey leads LTI’s corporate strategy and development. He founded the technology platform in 2001 to provide consumers with access to qualified and licensed behavioral health professionals, which he later evolved to customized services and telehealth technology that LTI is known for today. The platform, a recipient of The 2020 Zoom ISV Inaugural Trailblazer Award, expands access to care for organizations including schools, skilled nursing facilities, non-profits, and child welfare organizations. In the Florida Panhandle, LTI placed telehealth kiosks in 63 public schools throughout the region. As a result, 60,000+ students have access to mental health support. LTI partners with Kathy Ireland, one of the top U.S. health advocates for women and her multi-billion dollar brand, Kathy IrelandⓇ Worldwide. Art has also led LTI’s solutions into correctional institution programs, working alongside sheriff teams in Franklin County, FL to reduce recidivism through behavioral health support for inmates. The media frequently turns to Art for commentary on the importance of telehealth. Arthur’s background includes over a decade of corporate leadership, notably in corporate development at Bank of America Merchant Services.

Tomas Costanza is a certified multi-platinum American record producer, songwriter, and composer whose genre-defying work shapes music and visual arts worldwide. He has collaborated with artists including Macklemore, Darren Criss, Rachel Platten, 2 Chainz, Icona Pop, and Trixie Mattel, contributing to 12 Billboard #1 albums and securing over 1,000 licensed syncs—legal agreements that allow music to be paired with visual media such as TV, film, advertising, and gaming. His compositions have powered campaigns for Apple, Amazon, Target, and Ford, and featured in promos for HBO, Marvel, Netflix, and CBS. Costanza’s scoring credits span Disney, Discovery, Comedy Central, with placements in Grey’s Anatomy, American Horror Story, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. He first gained recognition as the frontman of Diffuser, signed to Hollywood Records in 2000. After founding Killingsworth in 2003, he expanded into theatrical production, co-creating and producing DRAG: The Musical, which premiered in Los Angeles and earned multiple honors including Broadway World’s Best Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Upcoming works include Astrologia (2025) and ICON (2027). Beyond the studio, Costanza is a passionate advocate for autism awareness, partnering with The Nicholas Center to support children on the spectrum.

Chief Duncan is a visionary leader in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and mobile healthcare, currently serving as CEO of the Washington County Ambulance District (WCAD), a regional mobile healthcare system serving rural Missouri. Under his leadership, WCAD provides vital healthcare services across over 1,500 square miles, ensuring high-quality, compassionate care to underserved communities. Chief Duncan is a strong proponent of Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) systems of care as a means to address healthcare gaps, such as chronic disease management and post-discharge care. His leadership is rooted in a servant-leadership philosophy, focusing on the well-being and development of EMS professionals. He is committed to ensuring that his clinical teams have the education, resources, and support they need to succeed, fostering an environment where both clinicians and patients thrive. Chief Duncan’s expertise spans stakeholder engagement, government relations, policy and regulation, team development, resource attainment, and EMS-based healthcare programs.

Mr. Greene’s career in fire and emergency services spans over 50 years in four different states. Starting as a junior volunteer firefighter and junior ambulance attendant and progressing through the ranks from that time up to and including the rank of chief. Mr. Greene has been involved in writing EMS legislation, designing EMS systems, and leadership development. His area of emphasis in recent years has been in the field of fire and EMS education. From being a state instructor, to program director, consultant, and adjunct faculty. He has also served as the EMS educator on the State of Florida EMS Advisory Council. Presently Mr. Greene engages in medical sales and consulting. He is the recent recipient of the Florida Department of Health’s Larry S. Jordan EMS Hall of Fame award and the Daniel J. Griffin EMS Education Lifetime Achievement award from the Florida Association of EMS Educators.

Daniel Hayes brings 20+ years of experience in designing and implementing innovative care delivery programs. His work has been presented at leading national conferences, including the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, the Heart Failure Society of America, and the American Heart Association. A graduate of Purdue University, Mr. Hayes combines his background in engineering and business with a deep interest in behavioral sciences. He has led the development of patented systems and methods that advance virtual and on-scene care delivery, clinical documentation, patient engagement, and care coordination. Under his leadership, HealthCall has expanded nationally, empowering multidisciplinary teams to deliver a broad range of services—from mental health and overdose response to chronic care management, occupational health, geriatric care, and community outreach. These programs consistently improve access to care, enhance outcomes, and reduce costs by optimizing limited healthcare resources. Mr. Hayes resides in Indiana with his wife and three children.

Bibi LeBlanc is an international speaker, entrepreneur, and world traveler with a passion for storytelling and creating community. Born and raised in West Berlin during the Cold War, she received her education in business administration before embarking on a career as a flight attendant. She fell in love with the sport of skydiving and moved to the skydiving capital of the world in Florida, where she raised her three sons. As the founder and CEO of Culture to Color, she uses her experiences to create Explainer Books™ as marketing tools for businesses, organizations, and destinations, bringing the beauty and diversity of the world to new audiences. She is a #1 Amazon Bestseller and has won numerous book awards. With her camera as her loyal companion, Bibi travels the world seeking out new people and cultures, always eager to hear their stories and create connections, adding color to the world one story at a time.

Peter is a certified hypnotherapist whose healing journey began after his leukemia diagnosis in 2003. This turning point led him to explore the powerful connection of mind, body, and spirit. Trained at the American Academy of Hypnotherapy and the NLP Center of New York, Peter helps clients break free from limiting subconscious patterns using deep healing methods. He’s the creator of the popular YouTube channel BlueSky Hypnosis, with over 125,000 subscribers and 17 million views, where he shares tools for emotional healing and breakthroughs. Peter is also the author of Becoming the Customer. A former volunteer firefighter and EMT, he brings compassion and purpose to everything he does.