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2026 WSSHE Spring Symposium Speakers

April 15-17, 2026 | Campbell’s Resort at Lake Chelan | Chelan, WA

Keynote Speakers

WSSHE Rocks: From Foundation to the Pinnacle of Today!
Geoffrey Glass - Healthcare Sustainability Consultant • Octet Works
Geoff is the WSSHE Historian and sole proprietor of Octet Works, a health care sustainability consultancy firm. He has dedicated 40 years of his career to developing high performance health care facilities in the Puget Sound region, where he served as Health System Energy and Sustainability Manager and Regional Facilities Director for Providence. For many years, he led the WSSHE Educational Planning Committee with great success. Geoff has been a professional engineer licensed in Washington, a CHFM and CEM. He holds a Master of Science degree. Geoff has provided progressive and visionary leadership to WSSHE for 32-years.
Phillip Kercher - WSSHE Emeritus Member
Phil retired in 2015 after 33-years as Manager of Facilities at two Providence campuses, overseeing daily operations, regulatory compliance, energy management, sustainability and numerous infrastructure projects. He is honored to be a WSSHE Emeritus and ASHE Fellow, CHFM, CHC and CEM with a BA in Organizational Management. He received a major personal recognition award from ASHE, the Bronze Eagle Award. Phil remains active in this distinguished organization and is WSSHE’s longest serving member at 44-years.
Session Abstract

In 2025, the WSSHE Board established a committee of six long-serving members to assemble in digital form the historical facts, photos and descriptions of various activities to include Conferences, Officers, Awards and other key issues of each year of WSSHE history. The work took over 200-hours and will be available on the website as an easily accessible source by year. This presentation will share the committee's work and tell the stories describing where we came from, our progress and today’s WSSHE World.

"My MVP"
Donnie Campbell
Before Jason Sudeikis ever dreamed of playing the beloved character Ted Lasso, he found inspiration in his high school basketball coach, Donnie Campbell. Though obscure outside Kansas, Coach Campbell planted seeds of wisdom in young Jason as his Shawnee Mission West coach back in the 90s. Decades later, those lessons of leadership and integrity blossomed on the Emmy-winning show Ted Lasso.

When Sudeikis revealed the origin story behind the sitcom’s lead to Stephen Colbert, Coach Campbell was thrust into an unexpected spotlight. The math teacher and coach built a championship career by uplifting student athletes on and off the court. His mentoring approach centers on instilling confidence through accountability and empathy.

Today, in addition to shaping young lives daily, Coach Donnie Campbell shares his brand of compassionate leadership with corporations and conferences. Blending wit and wisdom, he inspires audiences to define their core values and nurture talent from the inside out. His keys to success echo through the fictional AFC Richmond locker room: respect everyone, work tirelessly, and believe in each other.

Boasting 36 years of coaching under his belt, Donnie graduated college on a football scholarship. Though initially obscure, he developed championship teams and mentored future NBA stars by staying true to his positive principles. Audiences connect with the accidental foundation of television's "ultimate good guy" Ted Lasso.

General Session Speakers

Biophilic Design in Healthcare
Tamara Allen - Director of Architectural Business Development • Wind Northwest, representing Marlite FRP Wall Systems
Tamara has been with Wind since 2016. She brings 14 years experience in the construction industry from project management for residential housing to regional sales management in flooring. Tamara is currently the Director of Architectural Business Development for Wind Northwest and spends her days educating architects and designers on products and code compliance in an effort to provide the right products for their project. Tamara also provides continuing education for architects and designers on building codes, fire codes, multi-gen and multicultural design, as well as, sustainability.
Kristin Rubin - Architectural Consultant • Wind Northwest
Speaker Bio Coming Soon.
Session Abstract
Biophilic Design is being used across multiple industries such as education, commercial and residential. This course will focus exclusively on the healthcare industry and will show how the usage of nature, color and lighting can promote healing and positive mental health in Architecture and Design.The course will provide evidence in the form of photography, multiple studies, lighting, color theory and natural materials, that Biophilic Design provides benefits for physical recovery, mental health, healthcare companies and healthcare staff.

Learning Objectives
  • Upon completing the course, identification of the varying benefits of nature and the benefits for physical recovery, mental health, healthcare companies, and healthcare staff, when nature, color and lighting are incorporated into their designs in the Healthcare Industry.
  • To understand how to improve the standard of care by implementing simple design changes for healthcare facilities.
  • To acquire basic knowledge of Biophilic Design styles.
From Burden to Blueprint: Unlocking the Hidden Value of the Clean Buildings Act
Michael James - Vice President • Custom Energy
Mike James is Custom Energy, Energy Engineer. He is the man in charge of analyzing and compiling custom client quotes.For 21 years Mike worked with two national Energy Service Companies in Washington and other states, providing energy solutions and energy analysis to private building owners and public agencies. Mike also worked for a regionally based energy consulting and contracting firm.

Mike is a Washington State Licensed Engineer, Lead Accredited Professional, and a Certified Energy Manager. With his robust background in energy engineering, he brings his professional expertise and love for people to Custom Energy.

Session Abstract
At first glance, the Clean Buildings Act can feel like just another heavy lift for building owners and facility managers. But look a little closer, and it reveals something far more valuable: a practical framework for smarter planning, lower energy costs, and healthier buildings over time.In this session, Michael James will break down how Clean Buildings Performance Standards (CBPS) can be leveraged—not just complied with—to extend equipment life, reduce operating expenses, and create a clear, achievable roadmap for building improvements. Attendees will learn how Operations & Maintenance (O&M) plans and Energy Management Plans (EMP) can become powerful allies, transforming regulatory requirements into tools for long-term capital planning, proactive maintenance, and measurable energy savings. Rather than viewing the Clean Buildings Act as a burden, this session reframes it as an opportunity to gain control, clarity, and confidence in your building’s future.

EUI reduction in healthcare buildings through HVAC upgrades
Marina Shatalova - Business Development Manager - Energy Services • Siemens Smart Infrastructure
Marina Shatalova leads the Energy Services Business Development for Siemens SI in the western United States. She works with organizations across industries ranging from critical åfacilities like healthcare, pharma, and life sciences to higher education and commercial real estate to improve performance, reliability, and energy efficiency. She is an expert in building performance standards as well as unlocking incentives and financing options to support efficiency projects. Marina is based in San Francisco where she is actively involved with ASHRAE, I2SL, and has presented at Sustain California and SF Climate Week. Most recently, Marina presented on occupancy setbacks for Laboratory Spaces at the I2SL conference in 2025.
Session Abstract
The healthcare industry faces unique challenges in energy consumption, primarily driven by its critical 24/7 operational demands and stringent space requirements for patient care and operating rooms. These factors contribute to significantly higher Energy Use Intensity (EUI) compared to other commercial sectors. The State of Washington Clean Building Performance Standards address existing Healthcare buildings in Tier 1 and 2 compliance cycles.This presentation will provide an overview of current healthcare regulatory requirements, energy reduction goals, and substantial savings opportunities achievable through advanced HVAC control upgrades. Our discussion will cover specific strategies including chilled water system optimization, demand-controlled ventilation, and airside optimization for non-critical areas. We will share successful case studies and lessons learned along the way to make these strategies real. Attendees will gain insights into actionable strategies for enhancing energy efficiency, reducing operational costs, and supporting sustainability goals within healthcare facilities.

Breaking the Infection Control Chain: Practical Strategies for Healthcare Facilities
Christelle Elbert - Business Development Manager • MSNW Group
Christelle brings over 20 years of sales experience to the MSNW team, specializing in revenue growth and new account development.
Kristina Thayer - Director of Business Development • MSNW Group
Speaker Bio Coming Soon.
Session Abstract
This session would focus on how healthcare engineering, environmental services, and facilities teams play a critical role in interrupting the chain of infection.
Learning Objectives
  • The infection control chain and how it applies to the built environment
  • Common facility-related vulnerabilities that contribute to pathogen transmission
  • Practical, real-world strategies to reduce risk through engineering controls, cleaning protocols, and environmental monitoring
  • Collaboration between facilities, infection prevention, and clinical teams
  • Case examples demonstrating measurable risk reduction
From Approval to Accreditation: Closing Life Safety Gaps in Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Dale Lyman - Sr. Fire Protection Consultant, NFPA CFPS • Telgian Engineering and Consulting
Dale Lyman, CFPS is a senior fire protection professional with more than 35 years of experience in fire safety, regulatory compliance, and healthcare occupancies. He is a Senior Fire Protection Consultant with Telgian Engineering & Consulting, specializing in life safety compliance for healthcare facilities and ambulatory surgery centers nationwide.Dale has served in leadership roles including Fire Chief, City Emergency Manager, and Fire Marshal, bringing practical, real-world experience to code application and enforcement. He is a former member of the NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code Technical Committee, contributing to the development of code provisions that address real-world challenges in healthcare environments.

Since 2013, Dale has conducted hundreds of CMS/Medicare life safety surveys for ambulatory surgery centers as a Life Safety Code Surveyor with Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and Quad A. His hands-on experience provides unique insight into survey readiness, compliance strategy, and practical implementation of NFPA and CMS requirements.

Li Li - Regional Practice Leader • Telgian Engineering and Consulting

Mr. Li is a Regional Practice Leader of Fire Protection Engineering for Telgian Engineering & Consulting’s (TEC) Seattle office. He provides leadership for the region, oversees project execution using established performance metrics, and supports diverse fire protection engineering and consultation projects. Additionally, he drives business development efforts, fosters client relationships, and ensures TEC’s services align with fire protection codes, risk standards, and client needs.

Prior to joining TEC, Mr. Li served as a Project Executive at Columbia Fire LLC, where he improved project efficiency by streamlining processes, managing budgets, and implementing best practices. His leadership resulted in on-time and on-budget project deliveries, improved collaboration, and cost savings.

Mr. Li has extensive experience in fire sprinkler system design, 3D modeling, BIM coordination, and process improvement. He is proficient in tools such as AutoSprink and AutoDesk software and skilled in construction project management, operations oversight, and leadership training.

Session Abstract
Hospitals and healthcare systems across the region are increasingly adding Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) to their campuses to expand outpatient services, improve throughput, and reduce costs. While these projects often move smoothly through local plan review and inspection, many organizations are surprised when accreditation or CMS surveys uncover life safety and NFPA 99 deficiencies that delay opening or disrupt operations.

These gaps frequently stem from applying hospital or local code assumptions to ASCs—without fully accounting for how CMS applies the 2012 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and NFPA 99 to freestanding or hospital-based ASCs. The result can be condition-level deficiencies, idle operating rooms, postponed cases, and unplanned rework after construction is complete.

This session is designed for healthcare engineers and facilities leaders who are planning, designing, constructing, or operating ASCs on hospital campuses. Using real-world case examples, attendees will learn where life safety breakdowns commonly occur in on-campus ASC projects, how emergency power systems, fire and smoke barriers, hazardous areas, egress, and life safety documentation are frequently misapplied, and how to close the gap between local approval and accreditation readiness.

Participants will leave with a practical, engineering-focused roadmap to integrate life safety and NFPA 99 requirements early in ASC projects—and to sustain survey readiness once the ASC is operational.