Conference Speakers
Survive & Thrive Conference 2025, one of the premier cancer conferences in Texas, includes workshops and lectures led by local and national cancer experts. Veteran speakers have a servant’s heart and speak directly to the needs of those experiencing cancer. Many have been touched by cancer either personally or with a loved one.
Get to know our 2025 Speakers below.
Emcees
Prepare to be inspired. Crowd favorites Tamika Felder and Cindy Trice, DVM, return as our dynamic emcees.
Tamika Felder
Cancer Survivor
Founder and Chief Visionary, Cervivor
Tamika Felder is a cancer survivor, award-winning women’s health advocate, and founder and chief visionary officer at Cervivor, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to cervical cancer advocacy and support. Tamika also has a mission to eradicate cancer and shine a spotlight on the patient voice in healthcare. Named a “Cancer Rebel” by Newsweek, Tamika is a highly sought-after speaker on cervical cancer advocacy, cancer prevention, HPV education, and living life with purpose. She’s shared her story on Presidential panels convened by the White House, trained thousands of ambassadors using her signature patient advocacy framework, and traveled internationally to share her experiences with women around the world.
Tamika currently serves as a co-chair on the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, a member of the National Health Council Steering Committee, and a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board appointed by President Joseph Biden. She is regularly tapped by leading organizations and Fortune 500 companies around the globe to share her story and expertise. An award-winning television producer and host, Tamika is a captivating personality, as well as an engaging and talented storyteller. Her work has led to her being featured in Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” franchise, as well as a profile feature in the award-winning documentary “Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic and Conquering Cervical Cancer in the USA.”
Cindy Trice, DVM
Cancer Survivor
Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer, KickIt Pajamas
Dr. Cindy Trice is a veterinarian, speaker, serial entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and patient advocate for Cervivor. She is the co-founder and chief innovation officer at KickIt Pajamas, a company leading the way in providing beautiful, comfortable, and functional clothing for women during all stages of their cancer journey.
She lives in Bradenton, Florida, with her amazing husband and three long and low dogs.
Physician Champions
Physician champions support the Survive & Thrive mission and its conference for patients, survivors, and caregivers.
Kathryn Hudson, M.D.
Texas Oncology
Dr. Kathryn Hudson is a medical oncologist in Austin, Texas, and the director of survivorship at Texas Oncology. She is also director of breast cancer research for the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Central Texas and leads outcome research for Texas Oncology. Through her work, she is committed to improving the global quality of life and health of Texan cancer survivors.
She has been published in peer-reviewed journals and has spoken nationally on topics such as patient reported outcomes, quality of life of the cancer patient, and cancer therapeutics. She is a member of the Texas Oncology Foundation board of directors.
Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA
Texas Oncology
Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, is a practicing oncologist and breast cancer specialist in Austin, Texas, and an executive vice president of Texas Oncology with responsibilities in healthcare policy and strategic initiatives. She is an active leader in breast cancer and research in healthcare informatics driving digital healthcare tool adoption in clinical practice to improve the patient journey. She has served as the managing partner for the Central Texas, Gulf, and Rio Grande Valley regions in Texas Oncology since 2023.
Dr. Patt is the medical director for public policy for The US Oncology Network and has testified before the US Congress and Senate to protect access to care for cancer patients. She has chaired the council on legislation and the cancer committee for the Texas Medical Association.
Dr. Patt serves as the current vice president of the Community Oncology Alliance and on the ASCO Board of Directors. She also chairs the Artificial Intelligence Task Force for ASCO and is the liaison for the clinical innovation committee. She lectures medical students and is a professor at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.
Keynote Speakers
This year’s extended conference features an expanded slate of inspiring keynote speakers.
Harry Campbell
Outlook Partners
Harry Campbell is an executive with a track record of success for more than 35 years. Campbell has been a president for two Fortune 500 companies, co-owner of an award-winning small business, CEO of an internet start-up, and founding member of the industry-changing Wal-Mart/P&G Customer Team. He has driven exceptional results in organizations of five to 3,500 employees in a broad range of industries. Most recently, he was CEO of Durrie Vision, a world-class refractive eye practice. Currently he is an investor, mentor, and speaker. Campbell has published three books and delivers keynote speeches on leadership, culture, and mindset.
Leticia Hernandez
Natera
Leticia a strategic and compassionate marketing professional with more than five years of experience leading campaigns that connect people to the care, resources, and stories that matter most. Her background spans oncology centers, national nonprofits, and patient-first organizations where she’s helped translate complex health topics into human-centered narratives that engage, inform, and inspire. A four-year cancer survivor, she is deeply passionate about patient education and advocacy.
Ananya Nagendra
Letters of Light Foundation
Ananya Nagendra is the founder and CEO of the Letters of Light Foundation, a 501(c)(3) working to give all cancer patients support and access to mental health care. Going to chemotherapy appointments with her mother made her consistently see how a terrifying number of cancer patients don’t receive any support as they go through treatment. So, Ananya became determined to offer support to patients in treatment in any way she could. Ananya soon noticed that letter writing is so rare nowadays, and the chances of receiving a heartfelt, handwritten letter are close to zero. Through seeing this, she realized letters are a special way for students of all ages to encourage and empower patients in treatment.
Letters of Light has grown to become so much more through its free preventive healthcare information sessions for high school and college students, as well as the Books of Light initiative, which provides newly diagnosed cancer patients from minority communities with access to education on mental wellness during cancer treatment, support resources, diet plans, and more. Partnering with social workers and oncology care organizations worldwide, Letters of Light collaborates with Baylor Scott & White, Methodist Health, Children’s Medical, Texas Oncology, Kits to Heart, and others, with the goal of one day providing comprehensive support to all cancer patients throughout their treatments.
Ananya has been named a Riley’s Way Call for Kindness Fellow, Chipotle Mexican Grill Do Good Grant recipient, Volunteer McKinney Youth Leader of the Year 2025, and has received special recognition from the Dallas mayor. Ananya has now been driving the Letters of Light mission for almost three years, and she has made it her life’s goal to get more and more patients into remission while teaching the youth about the importance of community support.
Katie Ozuna, LMSW, OSW-C
St. David’s HealthCare
Katie Ozuna, LMSW, OSW-C, is a licensed oncology social worker with over 10 years of experience. Following her husband’s cancer treatment, Katie dedicated her career to improving the cancer experience for all those impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Her focus is developing evidence-based psychosocial programming within large healthcare systems, creating patient resource networks, and implementing behavioral health research.
Session Speakers
A talented group of speakers share their personal experiences and expertise on a wide range of topics.
Claire Billingsley is a certified laughter yoga leader and currently serving as the Learning Specialist Facilitator at 7 Eleven Inc. She is the owner of a training and communications firm designed to help organizations grow through personal and professional development.
Claire’s workshops take the skills and guiding principles she learned through improvisational comedy to help groups foster innovation, build confidence, take initiative, improve communication skills, collaborate, take risks, and enhance creativity. In 2010, Claire was named one of the “Top 25 Women to Watch in Dallas” by the Dallas Business Journal.
Stephanie Broussard, DSW, LCSW-S, APHSW-C
Thyme Care
Dr. Stephanie Broadnax Broussard is a compassionate and dedicated licensed clinical social worker supervisor (LCSW-S), advanced certified hospice and palliative care social worker (APHSW-C), and certified advanced care planning facilitator and clinician trainer. Hailing from Louisiana, Stephanie’s educational journey took her from Louisiana Tech University to the University of Texas at Arlington, where she earned her master’s degree. She received her doctoral degree at the University of Kentucky.
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Eden Carter, PT, DPT Eden’s Love and Light
Rebecca Clinton, LCSW-S
Texas Oncology
Penny DeCou, LCSW, OSW-C
Texas Oncology
Kelsey Espinosa, LCSW, OSW-C
Thyme Care
Mayra Guevera, ATR-BC, LCAT
Art Therapy Houston
Mike Herman, M.D.
Texas Oncology
Dr. Michael Herman is a radiation oncologist with Texas Oncology–Austin and Round Rock. He has a passion for personalized patient care. He has published and presented at national conferences, and is inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, recognizing excellence in clinical care, leadership, and service.
Nicole Hodac, MS, RDN, CSO, LD
Texas Oncology
Nicole Hodac is a board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition with over 15 years of experience in clinical nutrition. She focuses on creating personalized nutrition plans to support cancer patients, using evidenced-based practices with compassionate care to address each patient’s unique needs.
Laura Moore, RYT 200, Yoga 4
Cancer Certified, Adaptive Yoga Certification
Tiera Wade
Cervivor
Tiera Wade is a cervical cancer survivor, advocate, artist, and facilitator dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their sense of self and intimacy after cancer. Diagnosed with stage 2b cervical cancer in 2020, Tiera has transformed her personal journey into a mission of education, empowerment, and holistic healing.
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David Zuniga, Ph.D., MDIV, MA
Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor:
Supporting Sponsors:
