WASHINGTON–CUNA has announced several of the speakers who will be participating in its upcoming, first-ever virtual Governmental Affairs Conference March 2-4.
Among the speakers, Kevin “Katalyst” Carroll, an author and agent for social change. According to CUNA, while growing up in Philadelphia, Carroll felt lost in a rough and tumble world.
“But that changed when he discovered his own inner strength and the power of the ‘red rubber ball,’ CUNA stated. “A ball from his childhood provided community and instilled a love of sports and now serves as a metaphor for the power of play, innovation and chasing one’s dreams.”
Carroll’s background includes a decade in the Air Force, time as a trainer with the Philadelphia 76ers, and a seven-year stint with Nike, which created a position specifically for him and where Carroll earned his “Katalyst” nickname, CUNA said.
He later started The Katalyst Consultancy and has “dedicated his life to advancing sports and play as a vehicle for social change and a way to show others how to chase their own ‘red rubber ball,’” CUNA said.
Carroll, the author of four books, will be the closing keynoter.
Former FDA Commissioner to Speak
In addition, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner
from 2017-2019 and who has helped create a phased roadmap for navigating COVID-19, will address the meeting. His presentation will include his insights on how healthcare policies drive innovation, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, and the impact of vaccine access on credit unions’ frontline staff, CUNA said.
“During Dr. Gottlieb’s tenure with the FDA, the agency made critical strides in a variety of areas including gene therapies, cell-based regenerative medicine and digital health devices,” CUNA stated. “His policy priorities included reducing tobacco-related deaths and disease, improving food safety and confronting the addiction crisis.”
Before heading the FDA, Dr. Gottlieb was the agency’s deputy commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs and previously served as senior advisor to the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
For info: cuna.org/gac/