2026 Conference Speakers

Allison Brown, BSN, RN, CNN
Certified Nephrology Nurse, Nurse Surveyor
National Dialysis Accreditation Commission (NDAC)
Allison Brown, BSN, RN, CNN, is a Nurse Surveyor with the National Dialysis Accreditation Commission (NDAC), where she evaluates dialysis facilities nationwide for regulatory and accreditation compliance. She brings prior experience as a Facility Administrator with DaVita, with a strong background in clinical operations and survey readiness. Allison has been published multiple times in the Nephrology Nursing Journal and has also contributed to a chapter in the Nephrology Nursing Core Curriculum (forthcoming). She is committed to advancing quality and safety in nephrology care.

Anne Pugh, MSW, LCSW
Former ESRD NW18, Psychotherapist
Self-Employed, Sutter Health
Anne has more than 26 years of experience in medical social work. For thirteen years, Anne Pugh worked as the patient services manager for two End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks. Most recently, as the patient services manager for ESRD Network 18, she processed grievances from a patient population of 48,000+ dialysis patients, 23,000+ transplant patients, and provided support to 487 ESRD facilities. She led quality improvement initiatives prescribed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to improve health and care for and with ESRD patients in Southern California.
Prior to that, for thirteen years, she worked as a unit-based dialysis social worker in Hayward, CA. At present, she works halftime as a hospital-based Women and Infants’ social worker for Sutter Health and is forming a private psychotherapy practice centered on coping with chronic disease, pain, and pregnancy/post-partum issues.
She appreciates the opportunity to continue to present and learn from you, while supporting CKCA. She considers herself a “foodie,” and loves spending time with her fiancé, Jason, and their two dachshunds, Jimi Mack and Tinkerbell.

Annmarie Duggan MS, RD, LDN
Clinical Nutrition Education Program Lead
Pentec Health
Annmarie has over 40 years of clinical nutrition experience including 27 years working as a renal dietitian, caring for both in-center and home dialysis patients. Her career has included experience as a nutrition support dietitian, research coordinator and member of advisory boards and speakers’ bureaus. She has a passion for education and
has served as an adjunct professor, preceptor for dietetic interns and new renal dietitians.
Cameron Lillie-Liberto
Patient Experience Consultant, Founder
The Dialysis Mindset
Cameron Lillie-Liberto is a lifelong kidney disease patient who has spent decades on and off dialysis. His journey has given him a rare and deeply personal understanding of what it truly means to live with kidney failure, not just clinically, but emotionally and mentally.
In addition to his lived experience, Cameron has worked within the dialysis field as both an in-center and home dialysis technician, as well as a Kidney Care Options educator. This unique combination allows him to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare professionals in a way that is both practical and deeply human. He helps providers better understand the patient experience so they can create more compassionate, connected, and effective care environments. His mission is simple: to help patients find purpose and help care teams truly see the people they serve.

Curt Anliker
Co-Founder, CEO
National Dialysis Accreditation Commission (NDAC)
Curt Anliker is a Founder and the CEO of the National Dialysis Accreditation Commission, the first dialysis accreditation organization approved by CMS in the United States. NDAC provides accreditation services across the dialysis industry that includes large dialysis organizations, regional dialysis providers, and independent providers. Prior to NDAC, Curt Co-Founded and served as CEO of Affiliated Dialysis Centers, a regional, independent dialysis provider based in Illinois that was the largest provider of nursing home dialysis in the U.S. prior to its sale in 2018. He is an entrepreneur at heart and has founded numerous other businesses outside the dialysis space. He’s a 25 year veteran of the dialysis space and current serves on several industry boards including being the current President of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

Gopa Green, MD, FAND
Associate Chief Medical Officer
U.S. Renal Care
Before joining USRC, she most recently served as Chief Medical Officer of In-Center Dialysis Services and Vice President of Quality and Clinical Programs at Satellite Healthcare, amongst other roles. She provided collaborative oversight of the corporate quality program, developed the organization’s quality strategy with the data analytics teams, and steered clinical improvement programs that improve the lives of those living with kidney disease. Dr. Green also co-managed pharmacy and therapeutics utilization, medical policy, oversight of high acuity admissions, and a broad range of medical-clinical affairs. She now continues many of these activities as part of U.S. Renal Care’s Medical Office. She is a strong advocate for quality and patient-centered care with a focus on physician and patient education.

Kristi Foy
President, Legislative Advocate, Legal Counsel
Arnold & Associates
Kristi Foy is a member of the California State Bar. She graduated with honors from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law where she received her Juris Doctor degree. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from UCLA. Prior to joining Arnold & Associates, Ms. Foy was employed in the legal department of Western Farm Credit Bank in Sacramento. She also served as a Legislative Intern to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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