Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and the author of the 2021 release, “Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the
Leader You Were Meant to Be”. Both his leadership talk, and his book are based on his 40+ years of leadership experience in combat, peacekeeping operations, disaster relief operations and in the board room. Oak highlights principles that will benefit today’s leaders and inspire the leaders of tomorrow, in any profession and at any level of leadership.

Brandon Bates is responsible for strategic growth and development as well as marketing, companywide, at AirMed International. He plays a vital role in the service delivery to all of AirMed’s key partners, as well as securing and managing new partnerships and executing brand strategies. Brandon joined AirMed in August 2005 as an Account Executive for the AirMed membership program and served as Director of Membership Sales for the organisation from 2009–2013. In addition, he oversees the 24/7/365 AirMed Global Operations Center which is responsible for handling over 100,000 calls annually. Brandon holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration and during his tenure at AirMed has successfully led initiatives targeted at developing new market growth and brand recognition. He is actively involved in the air medical transport community as a member of AAMS and THiA as well as currently serving as a Board Member of the UStiA, and conference committee member for the ITIC.

Frederico Tarling has been working in the insurance industry since 1991. In 2002 he joined Assist Card and for 10 years he held different positions in Business Development with a main focus in Asia where he helped open sales operations in several countries. Since 2013 he has been the company’s Chief Service Officer and is a member of the Executive Committee. As Chief Service Officer, he is responsible for the fulfillment of services throughout the world, being the leader of the Assistance Dept., Suppliers Network Development Dept. and Reimbursement Department. He leads a team of over 300 professionals distributed around the world.

With over 25 years’ experience in the travel insurance industry, Sasha knows how to deliver on customer needs in emergency travel, medical assistance, emergency evacuation and claims management. For today’s travellers, Sasha combines this experience with a team-based approach to find innovative tech-based solutions for delivering relevant products and services.

Prior to battleface and Robin Assist, Sasha worked for AIG Travel Guard and the Tangiers Group, where he focused on customer service while developing and leading international medical, logistics, and travel assistance operations.

Often, you’ll find Sasha working alongside his team, answering phones, selling travel insurance policies, and managing emergency assistance cases. This gives him a real sense of what global customers are truly looking for in today’s environment.

Peter Nardi is a Senior Contract Manager for International Markets at Cleveland Clinic.  He has 20 years of experience in cost containment for IPMI and travel assistance products, as well as managed care pricing and network development.  Peter has been with Cleveland Clinic for almost two years, where he is responsible for contracting and relationship management for all international TPAs and commercial insurance plans.  Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic, Peter worked in provider contracting and network management for GMMI, World Travel Protection, and Europ Assistance.

Paul has worked in travel insurance for 30 years, covering a range of Operational roles in claims and assistance. His current role is Head of network, counter-fraud and recoveries at Collinson, focussing on patient welfare and cost containment. Paul is also the Chairman of the Travel Insurance Claims Committee, which includes most assistance and claims teams in the UK.

AJ Steele is a Business Development leader at travel insurance startup, Faye. In this role he oversees building strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to diversify the company’s distribution channels. With over a decade of experience in both travel and insurance, AJ is a seasoned expert in working with travel advisors, agencies and OTAs to present the best product to their audiences in order to boost adoption and drive revenue. Prior to Faye, AJ led global account management at Trip Mate, creating products to fit their business needs, and built out the national distribution and partnerships arm at Travelex Insurance Services. AJ resides in Florida with his wife and two children.

Greg Pearson is the Founder and CEO of FocusPoint International, a critical event management company that specializes in Emergency Response as a Service (ERaaS).  Greg has over 30 years of experience in the security and risk management fields, with extensive expertise in crisis management, geo-political risks, travel risk management, and emergency response.  A former non-commissioned officer from the US Army’s Special Operations Community and law enforcement officer in the state of California, Greg has a proven background in executing critical missions globally.  He has a passion for scaling growth-oriented businesses and product innovation, demonstrated by his creation of the “CAP Tripside Assistance Plan” (CAP) and “Overwatch & Rescue Plan” (OxR) products that protect more than 15M people daily.  Greg earned his education in crisis management and strategic leadership from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and is an active member of several industry trade organizations, to include the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

In 2012 after more than 10 years of international EMS and healthcare experience founder Oliver Müller understood the need for a company to provide high quality medical and non medical transportation within the air ambulance, travel assistance and healthcare industry. By creating close and personal relationships with stakeholders clients see the passion for patient well-being and safety brought forward 24/7/365 days a year. Continuous industry networking, long term strategic initiatives and a forward-thinking approach ensure the ongoing success of Gateway International EMS. Gateway International EMS also operates Gateway International Health (www.gateway-health.com), specializing in healthcare consulting on a global scale.

Tracey has celebrated her 21st year with the Global Excel team. During this time, she has held a variety of roles in operations, project management and leadership. Notably, while she was the Assistant Director for Quality Management and Director of Support Services, she became a certified Lead Auditor and led numerous Kaizen initiatives. She also obtained a continuous improvement certification from the Kaizen Institute.  In her current role, Tracey oversees the cost containment functions and has been working with our Network Development teams across the globe for the last decade.  Her passion for achieving a fair price has allowed her to build strong relationships with providers, networks, and clients.

With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and insurance sectors, I specialize in managing complex operations, leading case management teams, and developing networks across Latin America. My expertise includes optimizing processes to ensure cost control, improving service delivery, and building strategic relationships with corporate clients and providers. Currently, I serve as the Director of Case Management & Networks for LATAM at Global Excel Management, where I drive operational excellence and support business expansion in key markets, including Brazil, Colombia, and the Caribbean.

I have a deep understanding of travel, expat, and healthcare services, with a focus on delivering personalized customer care while achieving significant cost savings. I’m passionate about enhancing operational efficiency through training, service innovation, and strong governance.

With a strategic mindset, I align global priorities with regional objectives, fostering collaboration across teams in North America and Latin America. I actively contribute to the financial health of the organization by delivering exceptional outcomes for clients.

In addition to my work, I am committed to maintaining financial stability and growing my wealth through sound investments, with long-term goals centered around achieving financial freedom.

Cassandra has over 25 years of progressive experience and expertise in the travel insurance industry.  Cassandra started her insurance career in medical case management and presently heads Old Republic Canada’s Accident & Sickness (travel) division, where she passionately leads a team of experts in the areas of claims management, client service delivery, TPA relationships, business development, marketing and sales.

Cassandra is a graduate of McMaster University’s Nursing program (BScN) and holds many industry designations including a Fellowship in Life and Health Claims (FLHC).  She is on the Board of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THiA), co-chair of THiA’s Claims Committee, a member of THiA’s Finance & Audit Committee, and an active member of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s Travel Working Group.

Driven by his passion for travel and tourism, Stephen founded Cross Border Media in 2007 as a boutique travel media company, where he developed a number of successful online publications & resources.

In 2016, he launched Snowbird Advisor, which quickly became a leading one-stop resource for Canadian snowbirds.

In 2018, Stephen co-founded Snowbird Advisor Insurance to assist Canadian snowbirds, boomers and seniors with their unique travel insurance needs.

Stephen is active in many Canadian travel industry organizations. He currently sits on the board of directors for Discover America Canada and the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada’s Innovation Committee. He is also a past board member of SKAL Toronto.

He is a frequent guest speaker at travel industry events and conventions and has appeared on television and in print media as an expert on travel and snowbird issues.

Prior to founding Cross Border Media, Stephen received his BA from McGill University and his law degree from the University of Western Ontario and served as legal counsel and in executive roles for multiple media and software companies.

Jean Mackintosh is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Business Development for Thomas International in North America. With over 20 years of experience at Thomas, Jean leads strategic partnerships and mentors a team of Senior Consultants focused on helping national and multinational organizations recruit and develop top talent through behavioral, aptitude, personality, and emotional intelligence assessment solutions.

Jean is a strategic partner, speaker, and facilitates executive workshops for global and North American leadership teams, aligning their cultures to support business strategies.  She works with prominent clients, including Intercontinental Exchange, General Dynamics, and Celebrity Cruises to help increase performance, and organizational capability.  Jean’s expertise in people science, her business acumen, and passion for transforming organizations makes Jean a trusted advisor to her clients, and an integral part of the Thomas North American Leadership Team.

Paula Wilson is an experienced leader, manager and educator in the health care, higher education and government sectors.  Most recently, Ms. Wilson served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Joint Commission Resources/Joint Commission International.  Ms. Wilson was an Associate Professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University teaching courses in financial management for public and nonprofit organizations and was an Associate Clinical Professor at the Robert F. Wager Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Wilson held several posts in the New York State government including senior positions on the Governor’s staff, the New York State Budget Office, and the New York State Department of Health.

Ms. Wilson currently has her own consulting practice in New York City, doing business as The Paula Wilson Company.