In today’s world of rapid change, constant pressure, and worry, the ability to build trust is an essential leadership skill. For an enterprise to thrive, trust must be an integral part of its culture, ensuring its leaders have the right ideas to drive growth. On November 13, 2025, Boston Children’s Hospital will host the “Risky Business Conference: Trust in an Age of Uncertainty.” This is a one-day, cross-industry event that will bring together experts from healthcare, aviation, the military, and more to explore the question: How can organizations strengthen trust when the stakes are high?
The event, held at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center in Boston, explores how trust is built through clear communication and a collective culture of shared goals and values. Attendees will gain practical strategies and actionable tools that they can bring back to their teams. It’s open to physicians, nurses, social workers, researchers, department directors, and senior executives, with the added benefit of earning up to 7.5 continuing education credits, accredited by Boston Children’s Hospital.
“Trust is the foundation of every effective system,” said Jay Jones, Program Director for Risky Business Events. “This event is designed to equip professionals with insights and strategies to build cultures where people feel safe to speak up and know their voices matter.”
With more announcements to come, this conference already features an exceptional lineup of nationally recognized speakers, including:
- Gen. Austin S. Miller (Ret.), U.S. Army — Keynote: “Trust Under Fire: Extreme Leadership Lessons in Risk, Resilience, and Coalition Building” – Leveraging his command of Joint Special Operations in Mogadishu and oversight of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, Gen. Miller will reveal how to make clear decisions under extreme pressure and lead with both grit and grace when lives are on the line. His lessons are practical and vital for leaders navigating complexity, uncertainty, and mission-critical outcomes in healthcare and beyond.
- Capt. Russ “Boss” Bartlett (Ret.), U.S. Navy, Blue Angels — Keynote: “6 Jets, Inches Apart, Moving 450 mph: Leadership and Life Lessons from Blue Angel One” – Capt. Bartlett will take attendees inside the high-stakes world of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and show how trust, precision, and purpose drive performance under pressure. His insights help leaders build high-performing teams even when the stakes are at their highest.
- Vice Admiral John Mustin (Ret.), U.S. Navy, President of Saildrone — Panel: “Who’s With Us – Question or Rallying Cry? ” – Drawing from command at sea and strategic leadership in high-tech innovation, Vice Admiral Mustin will explore how trust anchors every successful mission and how healthcare teams can apply the same principles to deliver better outcomes.
- Dan Shapiro, PhD — Panel: “Building Culture on a Foundation of Trust” – As Senior Partner and Executive Director of the Chartis Center for Burnout Solutions, Dr. Shapiro helps hospitals reduce burnout and retain top talent. His practical and widely respected insights, shaped by real-world experience and even advising shows like Grey’s Anatomy, are deeply needed in today’s healthcare leadership landscape.
- Michael Moniz — Panel: “Who’s With Us – Question or Rallying Cry?” – Michael Moniz brings a rare vantage point by combining experience as CEO of Circadence, National Geographic Ultimate Explorer, and Everest summiter to show how resilience, preparation, and trust thrive even in the most extreme circumstances. His story offers a powerful lens for leading when the pressure peaks.
- Aaron Grey, MBA, MSW, LICSW, and John Nugent, CEO, Green & Fortune — Panel: “Talking the Talk: Communicating Trust to the Public” – This panel focuses on how leaders can articulate trust clearly and effectively to communities and teams, making it actionable and real. Grey and Nugent bring frontline experience in shaping communication during complex and challenging moments.
The conference will also feature insights from Mary Beth Son, MD; Jennifer Arnold, MD, MSc; Christine Wolfrey, MSN; Andrew Capraro, MD; Luke A. Sticht, DNP; Jessica Lindberg; Gordon Massey; and Devika Bagchi, MD, PhD.
Space is limited and sure to sell out. Register today to secure your place at the 2025 Risky Business Conference and gain practical tools to strengthen trust, improve safety, and drive performance within your organization. https://riskybusiness.events/events/
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