D3 - Waiting for Retirement Is Not Strategic Planning: Turning Leadership Transitions Into Opportunities

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MDT

Location: 711

Too often in community behavioral health, innovation stalls until a reluctant leader announces retirement. “Once John retires, we’ll do things differently” becomes the mantra—delaying progress, compounding risks, and leaving organizations unprepared. But transitions don’t have to be disruptive pauses; they can be powerful catalysts for renewal, growth, and innovation.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the Risks of Delay Understand the operational, cultural, and financial vulnerabilities that emerge when change is postponed until a leader exits.
Apply Proactive Succession Strategies Gain practical frameworks and tools to build leadership readiness and talent pipelines years in advance of anticipated transitions.
Sustain Innovation Through Change Explore concrete steps to maintain momentum, accelerate overdue improvements, and foster innovation throughout periods of leadership transition.

Disclosure(s):

Kara Sweeney Guerriero, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose

Kristin M. Potterbusch, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose

Felicia Jeffery, LPC: No financial relationships to disclose

Breakout Presenter(s)

Kara Sweeney Guerriero, MPH

President
INCITE Consulting Solutions
Charlotte, North Carolina

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides
Kristin M. Potterbusch, MPH

Vice President, Operations and Strategy
INCITE Consulting Solutions
Charlotte, North Carolina

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Felicia Jeffery, LPC

Chief Executive Officer
Gulf Coast Center
Charlotte, North Carolina

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose