PRESIDENTIAL GUEST SPEAKER

2025 PRESIDENTIAL GUEST SPEAKER

Kyle Stepp, Elite Para Athlete 

Kyle is an internationally ranked elite para-triathlete with Team USA Paratriathlon, an outdoor enthusiast with passions for skiing and off-road cycling, and a Business First 40 under 40 honoree. After transforming personal challenges into a platform for advocacy, Kyle has emerged as a powerful voice for equitable healthcare, outdoor access, disability rights, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. His efforts extend into significant legislative policy initiatives aimed at improving lives within the disability community and promoting equitable outdoor access. 

In his leadership roles, Kyle collaborates with major nonprofit organizations to forge national partnerships, spearhead legislative change, and lead impactful programs. His advisory contributions benefit entities, including Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, So Every BODY Can Move, Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E, the Amputee Coalition, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, and the Range of Motion Project, among others. 

Kyle’s dedication to systemic change is unwavering, utilizing sport as a vital catalyst for change. Currently, he competes on the World Triathlon para circuit, competes in gravel races, engages audiences as a speaker, and is a social impact and advocacy consultant for non-profits and brands.

PAST PRESIDENTIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

  • 2024 — Wilssan M. Joiner, PhD
  • 2023 — Kristie Bjornson, PT, DPT, PHD
  • 2022 — Jennifer Brondon, MD, Charlotte, NC
  • 2021 — Unni Narayanan, MBBS, MSc, FRCS, Toronto, ON Canada
  • 2020 — Danielle Melton, MD, Houston, TX
  • 2019 — Donald E. Katz, CO, Dallas, TX
  • 2018 — James R. Kasser, MD, Boston, MA
  • 2017 — John Dormans, MD, Houston, TX
  • 2016 — Gregory L. Dumanian, MD, Chicago, IL
  • 2015 — Todd A. Kuiken, MD, PhD, Chicago, IL
  • 2014 — Michael D. Sussman, MD, Portland, OR
  • 2013 — Colin F. Moseley, MD, FRCS(c), Los Angeles, CA
  • 2012 — Diane L. Damiano, PhD, PT, Bethesda, MD
  • 2011 — Robert S. Gailey, PhD, PT, Miami, FL
  • 2010 — Rene Baumgartner, MD, Munster, Germany
  • 2009 — Todd Anderson, CP, Minneapolis, MN
  • 2008 — Jacques D’Astous, Salt Lake City, UT
  • 2007 — Mark Huang, MD, Chicago, IL
  • 2006 — N/A
  • 2005 — Randal R. Betz, MD, Philadelphia, PA
  • 2004 — Dudley S. Childress, PhD, Chicago, IL
  • 2003 — Norris C. Carroll, BSc, MD, FRCSC, Sarasota, FL
  • 2002 — Gerhard N. Kiefer, MD, Calgary, AB, Canada
  • 2001 — William Kennedy Smith, MD, Houston, TX
  • 2000 — Sandra Gordon, Banff, AB, Canada
  • 1999 —Cheryl T. Harrell, ACSW, LCSW, St. Pete’s Beach, FL
  • 1998 — N/A
  • 1997 — N/A
  • 1996 — Joseph P. Vacanti, MD, Boston, MA
  • 1995 — Peter Rosenbaum, MD, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • 1994 — John Michael, CPO, Chanhassen, MN
  • 1993 — Kenneth L. B. Brown, MD, Montreal, QB, Canada
  • 1992 — Michael J. Goldberg, MD, Boston, MA
  • 1991 — Robert Gillespie, MD, Buffalo, NY
  • 1990 — Ernst Marquardt, MD, Salzburg, Austria
  • 1989 — Newton C. McCollough, III, MD, Tampa, FL
  • 1988 — Newton C. McCollough, III, MD, Tubac, AZ
  • 1987 — Judith Hall, MD, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • 1986 — Dennis Dougherty, PhD, Milwaukee, WI
  • 1985 — Morris Milner, PhD, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • 1984 — Aaron Favors, PhD, Rockville, MD and Jean Pillet, MD, Paris, France
  • 1983 — Henry Cowell, MD, Boston, MA and Sherman Coleman, MD, Salt Lake City, UT
  • 1982 — John Hall, MD, Boston, MA