Roots & Rise Synergy
Leadership Conference 2026
- Rooted in Purpose. Rising with Vision. Leading with Impact.
multicultural, and globally diverse leaders with strategy, community,
and actionable tools for advancement.
Conference information
- October 9, 2026
- 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Holiday Inn San Jose Silicon-Valley, 1350 N. First St. San Jose, Ca 95112
- Keynote • Podium Presentations • Panel • Fireside Chat • Networking Reception
Registration
Early Bird Registration
March 1 – August 31, 2026
$175
Standard Registration
After August 31, 2026
$200
Roots & Rise Leadership Conference: More Than a Conference
- Our goal is to create more than a conference; we are creating a transformative leadership experience.
- Roots & Rise invites participants to draw strength from their roots, embrace the wisdom of their culture and lived experiences, expand their vision, build meaningful connections, and discover new possibilities for personal, professional, and community impact.
- This is a space where leaders connect, ideas converge, opportunities emerge, and legacies begin.
- We are expecting a distinguished and diverse audience and professionals including City of San Jose and Santa Clara County Leaders, healthcare leaders, leaders from film and entertainment, academia, business, technology, and non-profit sector, alongside entrepreneurs, investors, emerging leaders, and students.
- The conference will bring together thought leaders and changemakers across industries to explore the evolving landscape of leadership, innovation, culture, resilience, and global impact.
Conference Sessions:
Keynote Address
Shifting the Center: What Leadership Means to the Global Majority
Featured Presentations:
– Building Vision-Driven Enterprises in a Global Economy: The Journey of the Entrepreneur of the Year
– Leadership Legacy: Owning Your Journey, Building Enduring Impact
– Leading from Your Root: Embracing Culture as the Foundation of Authentic Leadership
What Attendees and Investors Can Expect
– The Roots & Rise Leadership Conference is designed to create meaningful opportunities to:
– Gain practical, actionable leadership strategies
– Connect with entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and emerging leaders
– Celebrate culture, identity, inclusion, and lived experience
– Build meaningful cross-sector partnerships and collaborations
– Learn from nationally and internationally recognized speakers and thought leaders
– Explore investment, business, and strategic partnership opportunities
– Connect with potential clients, collaborators, and strategic partners
– Develop, mentor, and inspire the next generation of leaders
– Strengthen multicultural communities and expand pathways to opportunity
– Leave inspired, equipped, and prepared to lead with greater purpose, confidence, and impact
Roots & Rise invites participants to draw strength from their roots, embrace the wisdom of their culture and lived experiences, expand their vision, build meaningful connections, and discover new possibilities for personal, professional, and community impact
Ambassador Chike C. Nwoffiah
Keynote Speaker
Ambassador Chike C. Nwoffiah is an educator, multi-sector investor, media executive, and award-winning film and theater producer and director with more than 50 productions to his credit. He is the founding director of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF), an annual California-based celebration of African cinema now in its 16th year. SVAFF showcases more than 100 films by established and emerging African filmmakers representing approximately 40 countries, providing a dynamic platform for African stories, perspectives, and creative voices annually. Nwoffiah is the author of the critically acclaimed Beyond Diplomas: Decolonizing the African Mind for Transformational Leadership. He is also a contributing author to Black Cultural Traffic: Crossroads in Global Performance and Popular Culture, edited by Stanford University professors Harry J. Elam, Jr. and Kennell Jackson, as well as the 2021 publication Cinemas Africanos contemporâneos – abordagens críticas (Contemporary African Cinemas – Critical Approaches), edited by Brazilian film scholars Ana Camila Esteves and Jusciele Oliveira. As a filmmaker and theater professional, Nwoffiah has earned recognition for his contributions to the arts and for using storytelling as a vehicle for cultural understanding, education, and community engagement. In 2021, he was inducted into the Silicon Valley Black Legends Hall of Fame in recognition of his distinguished and outstanding career in the arts and his contributions to enhancing the lives of people in the Black community. Nwoffiah is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum – Silicon Valley, reflecting his longstanding commitment to leadership, community building, and social impact.
Dr Nnamdi Ihenacho
Technology Leader • TEDx Speaker • Nonprofit Founder • Leadership Coach
Dr. Nnamdi Ihenacho is a technology leader, TEDx speaker, and nonprofit founder with more than 17 years of experience in information technology. He is the Founder and CEO of NSTAR Technologies and the Founder and Executive Director of the African Immigrant Collective, a 501(c)(3) organization serving 2,000+ African immigrant professionals across the United States. A John Maxwell certified leadership coach and Truist Foundation fellow, Dr. Ihenacho delivered his TEDx talk on Belonging Capital at TEDx Johns Creek in 2026. He is also an ordained pastor and co-hosts the Rooted in Faith podcast with his wife Stella. A devoted father of three daughters, he is passionate about using education, leadership, and community to create lasting economic and social impact.
Anna Dapelo-Garcia
Founder & President, Lean in Latinas
Anna Dapelo-Garcia is a nationally recognized leader, speaker, and advocate dedicated to advancing belonging and leadership. Anna is the Founder and President of Lean In Latinas, a nonprofit that has grown into a powerful movement empowering Latinas to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose. What began as a small community has expanded into a network reaching thousands across industries and geographies. She also serves as Senior Manager of Belonging & Community at Stanford Health Care, where she leads initiatives that foster connection and create environments where every voice matters.Anna has been honored as a Woman of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, named among the Top Latino Leaders by the National Diversity Council, and featured in outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, and NPR. At Stanford Health Care, where she serves as Senior Manager of Belonging & Community, Anna leads initiatives that create environments where employees feel seen, valued, and supported. Her work has been recognized nationally, including honors such as Woman of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal and the Top Latino Leaders Award by the National Diversity Council. Her voice has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, NPR, MSNBC, and The Wall Street Journal. Across healthcare, nonprofit leadership, and community advocacy, Anna leads with heart and purpose. Her guiding belief: leadership is not about power. It is about creating pathways for others to rise.
Tigist Awel
Healthcare Executive | Nursing Leadership & Operations
Born and raised in Ethiopia, Tigist Awel earned her accounting degree in Kenya before life led her on an unexpected path to the United States—and to her true calling in healthcare. Today, she serves as an Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, providing strategic leadership across nursing and hospital operations with a focus on excellence, authenticity, and compassionate leadership. For Tigist, nursing is more than a career; it is a calling and a ministry. Leadership & Achievements Progressive Leadership Growth: Advanced through multiple leadership roles in nursing and hospital administration, demonstrating a strong commitment to clinical and operational excellence. Assistant Chief Nursing Officer: Entrusted with leading diverse teams, strengthening organizational performance, and advancing high-quality patient care. Culture Builder: Recognized for fostering staff engagement, improving patient outcomes, and creating environments where healthcare professionals can thrive and grow. Career Reinvention: Transformed an international background in accounting into a distinguished career in healthcare leadership, exemplifying resilience, adaptability, and purposeful reinvention. Leadership Vision Tigist believes that leadership is not about titles—it is about impact and lifting others as you climb. Her vision is to open doors for Africans and other underrepresented communities pursuing leadership in healthcare. Through mentorship, advocacy, and intentional coaching, she is committed to cultivating a new generation of empowered leaders who reflect the rich diversity of the communities they serve.
Deka Dike
Founder & CEO, Omatochi | 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year® – Bay Area | Healthcare Innovator & Entrepreneur
Deka Dike is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and healthcare innovator transforming how seniors and families access and experience care. As Founder and CEO of Omatochi, she leads a mission-driven organization delivering Enhanced Care Management, Community Supports, and healthcare navigation services to underserved communities across Northern California. Prior to founding Omatochi in 2021, Deka built a successful career in financial services, rising to Vice President and earning recognition as a top national producer. A personal caregiving experience revealed critical gaps in the healthcare system, particularly for seniors and families navigating language barriers, cultural differences, and fragmented care. Under her leadership, Omatochi has become a trusted bridge between communities and the healthcare system, helping improve access to care, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, prevent premature institutionalization, and strengthen family stability. Recognized as the 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year® for the Bay Area, Deka is a respected voice in healthcare innovation, the care economy, workforce equity, and community-centered solutions. She collaborates with health plans, community organizations, and policymakers to advance sustainable models of care that improve outcomes and create lasting social and economic impact. Deka’s leadership demonstrates the power of entrepreneurship to transform complex challenges into innovative solutions that strengthen individuals, families, communities, and systems of care. Her philosophy is simple: When we invest in how people are cared for, we strengthen families, communities, and the economy
Dr. Chris Wachira
Dr. Chris Wachira
Dr. Chris Wachira is an executive, entrepreneur, and systems thinker with a global perspective. Her work challenges audiences to move beyond linear leadership models and embrace innovation that transforms entire systems, from healthcare to global entrepreneurship. Born in Kenya and now a leading voice in inclusive innovation, Dr. Wachira embodies the power of cultural identity turned into economic impact. As the founder and CEO of The Wachira Group, she leads a portfolio of companies spanning manufacturing, import and export, distribution, and direct-to-consumer ventures, all rooted in her mission to advance equity, opportunity, and representation in global business. Under her leadership, Wachira Wines became the first Kenyan-American winery in the United States, a brand that celebrates heritage through craftsmanship. Dr Wachira is redefining leadership at the intersection of culture, commerce, and community. A sought after speaker, she shares insight on global health decolonization, purpose driven entrepreneurship, and systems innovation across sectors.
Dr. Michelle Hector
Chief Leadership Officer Author and Executive Coach
Dr. Michelle Hector II is a leadership scholar, national speaker, published author and executive coach with over 25 years of experience across finance, technology, and higher education. She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of San Francisco and is widely recognized for bridging academic research with real-world leadership practice. Dr. Hector’s professional background includes 14 years in the financial industry, where she worked in investment banking, training, and human resource management, and led teams of more than 250 professionals. In addition to her finance experience, she has spent over six years leading high-performing teams in the technology sector and supporting small business owners in building sustainable infrastructure and growth strategies. An accomplished educator, Dr. Hector has taught business and leadership courses for more than 14 years. She currently teaches at University of San Francisco and UC Berkeley Extension, where her courses include Making Power Moves, Women in Business, Power and Influence, and Management and Leadership. Her teaching is known for its rigor, relevance, and emphasis on applied leadership, equity, and impact. Dr. Hector is deeply committed to mentorship, community impact, and advancing pathways to leadership. Whether in the classroom, boardroom, or community, she brings clarity, courage, and purpose to the work of developing leaders who lead with intention and influence.
Harbir Bhatia
CEO Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Harbir Kaur Bhatia is a civic entrepreneur and community leader with expertise spanning technology, entrepreneurship, public-sector leadership, community development, placemaking, and media. As CEO of the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, she champions innovation, inclusive economic growth, and stronger communities. An immigrant and Sikh, Harbir is passionate about breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for the betterment of all. Her leadership has earned numerous honors, including recognition among the Silicon Valley Business Journal Power 100 and Women of Influence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Santa Clara University. A globally recognized speaker and social entrepreneur, Harbir is guided by a simple philosophy: create value, build bridges, and be a force for positive change. Her motto: “Be a tide that raises all boats!”
Alissa Erogbogbo, MD FACOG
Board-Certified OB/GYN and Physician Executive
Dr. Erogbogbo is a board-certified OB/GYN and physician executive with more than 16 years of clinical experience dedicated to advancing high-quality women’s health care, medical affairs, and operational excellence. She began her clinical career in 2008 and served in clinical and leadership roles at Centegra Health (Medical Director), where she combined patient care with executive management. In 2015 she joined OB Hospitalist Group (OBHG), holding roles including Ob Hospitalist and Medical Director of Operations, leading physician recruitment, education, business development, and external stakeholder engagement. In 2020 she became Enterprise Chair for Maternal Child Health at El Camino Health, overseeing clinical and administrative operations and scaling maternal–child service lines. Beginning in 2022 she expanded into digital and population health leadership with Maven Clinic as Medical Director and Medical Director (Consultant), directing physician training, program development, and virtual care initiatives. Concurrently, she has served as an Equity Advisor for the Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) since Jan 2022, focusing on maternal care equity.
Christelle Mombo-Zigah
Co-Founder & CEO, Fairscan AI | Futurist | Technology & Innovation Leader
Christelle Mombo-Zigah is a futurist, ambidextrous leader, and problem-solver who believes in the power of technology to create a better world for everyone. Born in France to Congolese parents and now based in Silicon Valley, she leads Global Strategy and Planning for Cloud AI Infrastructure at Cisco and serves as CEO and Co-Founder of StyleMyCrown and Fairscan AI. With more than 17 years of experience spanning sales, business development, M&A, and customer success, Christelle has built her career helping global technology organizations navigate growth, transformation, and innovation. Her journey has evolved into a passion for responsible AI and women-in-tech advocacy, grounded in a powerful conviction: AI must serve and be accessible to everyone—not just a privileged few. Her leadership and innovation have earned numerous honors, including MIPAD’s Top 100 Futurists of African Descent (2024) and San Francisco Business Times’ Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business (2025). She has also earned top honors at the Fashion and Beauty Tech Virtual Pitch Competition and FABA San Francisco, and was a Top 10 finalist in both the Stanford LEAD LISA Incubator and the All People Powered Accelerator. Fluent in French, English, and Spanish, Christelle draws on her Kongo heritage and passion for storytelling to connect communities across the diaspora. A Stanford GSB LEAD alumna and self-published author of three children’s books, she is building a legacy centered on innovation, inclusion, and giving voice to the voiceless.
Stella lhenachoAgile
Transformation Leader | Global Speaker | Executive Advisor
Stella Ihenacho is an Agile Transformation Leader, global speaker, and executive advisor who believes diaspora leaders represent one of the most powerful and underleveraged forces in the global economy. She leads enterprise Agile and AI-enabled transformation initiatives within Red Hat’s Data and AI organization, partnering with senior leaders to design adaptive systems that deliver measurable value at scale. Her work integrates artificial intelligence, adaptive leadership, and cultural intelligence, shaped by both executive responsibility and lived experience. As Co-Founder of the African Immigrant Collective (AIM) and NSTAR Technologies, Stella advances leadership across the diaspora, equipping professionals to command influence, navigate complex institutions, and shape structural outcomes. She is the creator of RAISED, a leadership framework designed for diaspora professionals who are no longer simply navigating systems, but reshaping them. RAISED guides leaders from visibility to excellence, from growth to voice, and ultimately toward a legacy that transforms careers, organizations, and communities. Stella’s message is clear: Your roots are not a liability—they are your strategic advantage. Rise boldly. Define your narrative. Build leaders behind you.
Anna Fernandez, LMFT
Executive Director, Behavioral Health | President, Behavioral Health Contractors’ Association of Santa Clara County | Speaker & Author
Anna Fernandez, LMFT, is a distinguished behavioral health executive with more than 27 years of experience in public mental health, specializing in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and co-occurring mental health conditions. As Executive Director of Hope’s Behavioral Health programs, Anna provides strategic and operational leadership focused on advancing accessible, person-centered behavioral healthcare and strengthening systems that support individuals and families with complex needs. She also serves as President of the Behavioral Health Contractors’ Association of Santa Clara County, contributing to collaboration and advocacy across the behavioral health sector. A respected speaker and author, Anna has presented at conferences throughout North America and Europe, sharing her expertise on behavioral health, leadership, and community-based care. She holds a BA in Religious Science from the Pontificia Università Lateranense in Rome and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. In 2025, she was honored as a Woman of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Anna brings a powerful combination of clinical expertise, executive leadership, advocacy, and a deep commitment to strengthening behavioral health systems and communities.
Sharon R. Thompson
M.D., MPH, FACOG Founder, CEO All In Together Now Access Diagnosis
Dr. Sharon Thompson is board certified obstetrician gynecologist in Phoenix Arizona with 20 years experience in clinical practice, public health and teaching. She earned a B.A. in Biology from Vassar College, an M.P.H in Women and Child health from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Dr. Thompson completed her training in obstetrics and gynecology at the Harvard University affiliated Brigham and Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospital residency program. Dr Thompson is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arizona School of Medicine Phoenix and an adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University and the Arizona State University College of Nursing and Innovation. Dr. Thompson is Vice Chair of the Board of the Black Women’s Health Imperative and Medical Director for the Arizona Community Health Partnership and Emagine Solutions Technology. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Emerald Foundation is a former Chair of the Women’s Commission for the City of Phoenix. As founder and CEO of All In Together, a 501(c)3 organization she is working on projects to improve clinician education and patient outcomes. In 2025, Dr. Thompson developed Access Diagnosis, a software platform to help clinicians decrease diagnostic delay, error and bias in medical care. Dr. Thompson is the author of Your Ideal Life Now and is welcomed around the country as a keynote speaker, teacher and health coach. She has given invited presentations to organizations including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Medical Women’s Association and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Thompson is a regular contributing medical expert featured on Good Morning Arizona.
Dr. Gerardo Solaria
Dr. Gerardo Solaria
Gerardo Solorio Cortes, MD, is the Site Director at Valley Health Center (VHC) Gilroy, part of Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, the second-largest county system in California. Born in Mexico and raised in a low-income community in Hollister, California, his approach to leadership is defined by his deep bicultural roots and a work ethic forged in his youth. Dr. Solorio Cortes began his higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning degrees in Psychobiology and Chicana/o Studies. While at UCLA, he was a research assistant in various studies focused on Latino health, including women living with breast cancer. He became the first in his family to receive a doctoral degree, earning his MD in Washington, D.C., from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. While in medical school, he served as a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland, and as the National Coordinator for NNLAMS (now the Latino Medical Student Association). These experiences solidified his lifelong commitment to the Latino community and other minoritized communities, and uplifting both current and prospective medical students. Today, he continues this mission as a Lecturer at the Stanford School of Medicine, where he teaches Stanford medical students and leads Health Equity Rounds (HER). In this role, he draws on his various intersectionalities, including his biculturalism, to lead critical discussions on implicit bias and addresses systemic barriers, including racism, for patients in the healthcare system. In a profound full-circle journey, he proudly serves the community at VHC Gilroy- the clinic stands on the same land where his mother once labored picking peppers in the fields. He is reminded daily of these roots, which serve as a powerful driving force to lead with authenticity.
Sponsorship & Partnerships
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and community partners whose generosity makes this added value possible.
Support a first-of-its-kind conference expanding leadership access and visibility for immigrant and globally diverse leaders.
Sponsor benefits may include:
- Brand visibility across conference materials and stage recognition
- Vendor/exhibitor opportunities
- Networking access with leaders and decision makers
- Community impact alignment and recognition
Hotel Reservation
Holiday Inn San Jose Silicon-Valley
1350 N. First St. San Jose, Ca 95112
Contact for booking: 1-888-211-9874.
Booking code: RSL
Where Leadership Meets Culture
Roots & Rise is more than a conference. It is a movement that celebrates identity, excellence, and global impact.
This year’s experience includes:
Cultural Opening: African Drummers’ Performance
A powerful, high-energy opening ceremony honoring heritage, rhythm, and collective strength.
Live Saxophonist
Performance
A dynamic musical performance bringing elegance, inspiration, and creative energy to the day’s experience.
FAQs
Will the sessions be recorded?
(Optional) Yes/No. If yes: recordings available to registered attendees.
What is the dress code?
Business or business casual.
Can I transfer my ticket?
Yes—ticket transfers allowed up to X days before the event.
Do you offer refunds?
Provide your policy here (e.g., refunds until X date; after that, credit/transfer only).
I need accessibility accommodations—who do I contact?
Provide email/phone.
Contact
Questions or partnership inquiries?
Email: info@rootsandrisesynergy.com
Website: rootsandrisesynergy.com
LinkedIn: