Leading Through Times of Uncertainty: Navigating Change while driving innovation, and growth

HBA's Constellation League is pleased to present this special program. Please join our invited guest Dr. Deborah Ancona, Seley Distinguished Professor of Management, MIT, to discuss VUCA principles of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity and its leadership application in times of uncertainty. Together, the panel will examine how leaders recognize when they are entering unfamiliar territory, balance innovation with business priorities, make decisions amid uncertainty, and guide teams through periods of change with transparency, resilience, and purpose

Deborah Dunsire MD; Board Chair Neurvati Neurosciences, Board member McKesson, Ultragenyx, Vima Tx. WOTY 2009, Rising Star 2000 will lead the discussion with Dr. Ancona and Rachel Morgan, Global Head of Clinical Sciences and Innovation at Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research and 2026 Novartis Luminary.

What are the challenges we are facing?
How do exceptional leaders navigate uncertainty while continuing to drive innovation, inspire teams, and achieve business goals?
How do we apply the VUCA principles thoughtfully to respect teams, individual performance, corporate goals?
What are the human principles of communication, clarity, compassion to be underscored and practiced through these headwinds?

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to join this conversation, rooted in a realistic discussion, offer personal experiences and solutions, share how we recognize these issues and tap this VUCA toolset to lead and navigate. Expect an engaging discussion among attendees. Walk away with some new perspectives and resources, feel confident and competent in your leadership during these changing times.

About the Constellation League:
HBA’s Constellation League is comprised of its distinguished Founders, Chair Emeriti, STARs, WOTY’s, and nominated volunteers who have held global board positions, and volunteers with a demonstrable track record of dedicated service and notable accomplishments within HBA. The Constellation League offers valuable perspectives from their professional experience spanning a broad range of disciplines including leadership development, diversity and inclusion, gender parity and business entrepreneurship. Our stakeholders value HBA’s institutional legacy and the Constellation League embodies not only our history but also opportunities for the future.

Learning Objectives

Recognize indicators that signal a shift into uncertain times that require leadership awareness
Evaluate leadership practices that recognize uncertainty and its impact
Apply a VUCA leadership framework to guide teams through change while maintaining trust

Agenda

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM	Registration and networking
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM	Keynote with Deborah Ancona led by panel discussion and Q&A
7:45 PM - 8:30 PM	Networking

Additional Event Information

Online registration deadline: 11 September 2026
Event is open to: HBA Members and Non-members
This event is not refundable.
Onsite (walk -in) registration: Is Not Allowed

Featured Speakers

Deborah Ancona
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Deborah Dunsire MD
Board Chair , Neurvati Neurosciences

Rachel Morgan
Novartis

Event Sponsor

Pricing

	Member	Non-Member
Regular Registration - In-person	$30.00 / €30.00	$45.00 / €45.00
Sponsor Registration - In-person	$30.00 / €30.00	$30.00 / €30.00

Members receive up to 50 percent discount

Event Policies

Photography Policy
By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you may be photographed, videotaped, and/or audio-taped during the meeting and hereby give permission for your image, voice, or survey comments to be used in education, training, promotion, and/or trade and communications media by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association in any and all media throughout the world, without restriction as to frequency or duration of usage.

COVID-19 Policy
The HBA requires that all persons who participate in in-person events do so at their own risk and that each participant agrees to the following agreement before taking part in the activity and urges all participants to act in such a manner as to protect their own safety and the safety of others.

By registering for this event, I fully understand that my participation in the program is purely voluntary. I desire to participate and agree to act reasonably and prudently under the circumstances. I further understand that any HBA volunteers participating in the activity will act individually and will not represent the HBA. As a condition to my participation the activity, I waive and release the HBA and their officers, employees, and agents from any claim that I may have for any damage to property or injury to my person that may result in whole or in part from my participation.

Special Needs Policy
The HBA will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with special needs can enjoy all of its programs. Contact us if you require special accommodations for this event.