Foundations | The Leading Event For Advocacy Organizations

The Premier Forum For Patient Advocacy Organizations to Advance Scientific Discovery and Patient Care

October 28-29, 2026
Hilton Arlington, Arlington, VA

There are more than 22,000 disease-focused nonprofit organizations in the United States. These organizations have ground-level, continuous contact with millions of people living with disease or medical disorders, and they are desperate for cures and treatments.

Imagine a future where disease-focused nonprofit professionals are equipped with the tools and knowledge to become pivotal players in groundbreaking research partnerships.

That future starts at Foundations. Over two days in Arlington, you’ll gain the frameworks, relationships, and practical tools to strengthen your organization’s role in the full therapeutic ecosystem.

Why It Matters

Therapeutic development is increasingly dependent on strong patient-centered partnerships. Patient Advocacy Organizations can dramatically reduce trial risk, improve recruitment, and strengthen real-world evidence by:

Mobilizing patient communities for clinical trial enrollment
Supporting pediatric and adult study participation
Providing natural history data and lived-experience insights
Reducing operational uncertainty for sponsors
Enhancing trial design through community-informed approaches

Patient Advocacy Organizations

Create or expand your support of medical research, your work with pharma and biotech, and your advocacy initiatives.

Pharma & Biotech

Build authentic, productive nonprofit partnerships and strengthen your pipeline through patient community engagement.

Federal Agencies

Advance patient-centered therapeutic development and strengthen collaboration across the advocacy ecosystem.

Clinical Trial Professionals

Design and manage clinical trials that benefit from community-informed approaches and meaningful PAO collaboration.

Newer to the PAO Ecosystem

Get a clear, practical roadmap to get started and build the relationships that move the needle.

Designed for the Entire Advocacy Ecosystem

Built around the real-world needs of advocacy organizations, the Foundations agenda delivers practical, actionable insights for every stakeholder in the ecosystem—from patient advocacy leaders and nonprofit teams to researchers, medtech partners, and policymakers.

From understanding the research pipeline and building research-ready organizations, to forming high-impact partnerships and navigating NIH/FDA engagement, each session is intentionally designed to meet attendees where they are and help them drive meaningful scientific progress.

Allison Feldman

CEO

Jean Campbell

Co-Founder and Board Director

Keith N. Fargo, PhD

Director of Scientific Initiatives

Deborah Fowler

President and Founder

Eric Gascho

Executive Director

Raymond Puerini

Director

Erika Sward

Chief Advocacy Officer

Conference Agenda

Two full days of practical, actionable sessions for every stakeholder in the patient advocacy ecosystem.

8:00 AM

Networking

Breakfast and Registration

9:00 AM

Chairperson's Opening Remarks

Allison Feldman

CEO · Lewy Body Dementia Association

9:10 AM

Keynote

Powering Progress: How Patient Advocacy Organizations Fuel Scientific Progress

Landscape of patient-facing nonprofit sector
The value that PAOs bring to pharmaceutical and biotech, researchers and government
Ecosystem of PAOs, pharmaceutical and biotech, researchers, and government

9:50 AM

Partnering with Purpose: Navigating Industry Collaboration and Building Smart, Mission-Driven Partnerships

Meeting the mission: how work in the pharma/biotech/federal/PAO ecosystem improves lives
Assessing readiness and seeking the right fit in pharmaceutical and biotech partners
Building your PAO's infrastructure and network

10:35 AM

Inside the Research Pipeline: Where Patient Advocacy Organizations Make a Difference

Phases of medical studies — from discovery to after-market
Where PAOs come into play at each phase
The current landscape and impact on pharma/biotech and PAOs
Market access hurdles

11:15 AM

Break

Networking Break

11:45 AM

Partnerships that Deliver: Real Stories, Real Impact

Life-impacting outcomes of pharma/biotech/PAO partnerships
What makes a successful partnership?
Communication: sharing your progress and success
When things don't go as planned: managing expectations of your community

12:30 PM

Networking

Networking Lunch

1:30 PM

Building Research Powerhouses: How Research Centers of Excellence Programs Accelerate Discovery and Improve Care

Models of RCOEs and what makes them valuable to pharmaceutical and biotech
How RCOE programs catalyze research and benefit your community

Keith N. Fargo, PhD

Director of Scientific Initiatives · LBDA

2:15 PM

Interactive Session

Becoming Research-Ready: An Interactive Blueprint for Success

This 90-minute interactive session introduces the Research Partnership Maturity Model (RPMM), a toolkit from FasterCures designed to help patient organizations assess their strengths and enhance their role in advancing research. Participants will gain practical insights into evaluating their capabilities and identifying opportunities for growth as research partners.

Raymond Puerini

Director · Milken Institute

3:30 PM

Break

Networking Break

4:15 PM

Value-Driven Programs and Making the Case for Support

Patient registries and living history studies
Engaging funders: the case for support
Navigating private foundations

5:00 PM

Networking

Networking Reception

6:00 PM

End of Day One

8:00 AM

Networking

Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM

Chairperson's Recap and Opening Remarks

Allison Feldman

CEO · Lewy Body Dementia Association

9:10 AM

From Policy to Patients: Engaging Effectively With the Federal System

NIH 101 — mission, structure, institutes and centers, decision-makers
The current landscape and how it impacts research
How to engage with your IC (institutes and centers)
FDA 101 and patient-focused drug development meetings

Eric Gascho

Executive Director · CRD Associates

9:55 AM

Advocacy That Moves Mountains: Turning Passion into Policy

Advocacy: what it is, advocacy vs. lobbying
Determining your organization's advocacy priorities: when to lead, join, or follow
Working with consultants
Creating a volunteer advocacy force — success stories

Erika Sward

Chief Advocacy Officer · US Against Alzheimer's

10:45 AM

Break

Networking Break

11:15 AM

Panel Discussion

The Power of Partnership: Perspectives Across the Ecosystem

Researchers and nonprofit — working together: success stories and lessons learned
Nonprofit and funder — why I chose to invest in this program
NIH Program Directors/nonprofit — working together in the current climate
Patient/caregiver perspective — why this matters

12:15 PM

See You Next Year

Pricing

501(c)3 Rate

Patient Organization · Professional Advocate · Academics · Government

Fixed Rate — All Qualifying Organizations

^$1,095

Bio/Pharma · Law Firms · Service Providers · Consultants

Early Bird Rate

$2,895

Save $200

Advanced Rate

$2,995

Save $100

Standard Rate

$3,095

Sponsors gain direct access to the organizations that shape patient communities and influence trial success.

Foundations offers:
• High-visibility brand placement among mission-driven leaders
• Direct relationship-building with nonprofits across multiple disease areas
• Opportunities to co-create sessions, workshops, and case studies
• Access to a pipeline of potential partners for recruitment, data, and trial readiness
• Positioning as a champion of patient-centered therapeutic development

Supporting Foundations signals a commitment to accelerating cures through collaboration — not just innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Should I Attend? (aka: What's In It for Me?)
2. Who Should Attend? (Hint: It Might Be You)

Foundations brings together the full therapeutic ecosystem. Whether you lead a Patient Advocacy Organization, work inside a pharmaceutical or biotech company, represent a federal agency, or design clinical trials — this conference was built for you.

You’ll get the most out of Foundations if…

You lead or work at a patient advocacy organization and want to grow your research and industry programs

You work in pharma or biotech and want to build authentic, productive nonprofit partnerships

You represent a federal agency working to advance patient-centered therapeutic development

You design or manage clinical trials and want to improve community engagement

You’re newer to the PAO ecosystem and need a clear, practical roadmap to get started
3. Can I Register a Group? (Squad Goals: Activated)

Yes! Bring your crew. Whether it’s your department, your leadership team, or your whole company — group registration is easy and comes with perks. Discounts? You bet. Better collaboration back at the office? Definitely. Reach out to us for custom group packages and let’s make it a team expearience.

Interested in Group Rates?

Email Arianne Leclair at arianne@momentumevents.com to secure the best group discounts
4. What’s the Event About? (The Elevator Pitch)
5. Interested in Sponsorship? (Let’s Talk Visibility + Value)
6. How Do I Network? (Spoiler: It’s Easier Than You Think)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top reasons why I should attend?

TOP REASONS TO ATTEND

-Learn and implement different metrics for measuring the success of your KOL interactions and to benchmark against other TLLs

-Craft effective TLL Business Planning and Development that secures cross-functional effective collaboration for the overall success of the company

-Explore different tools and ways to work with your KOLs and DOLs, learn best practices on how the industry is managing its interactions

-Find innovative ways to keep HCPs engaged and interested in your speaker programs

-Understand the compliance and ethics considerations for TLLs on their internal and external interactions and engagement to guarantee successful engagement
Who should attend?
This event is designed for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device professionals with responsibilities in the following areas:
- TLL (Thought Leader Liaison)
- Thought Leader Engagement
- KOL Relationship Management/ Development
- Regional Marketers
- Associate Director of Marketing
- Opinion/Thought Leader Relations
- Speaker Bureau Training/Management
- Speaker Programs
- Speaker Advisory Boards
- Key Customer Engagement Manager
- Regional Marketing Liaison
- Global Stakeholder Strategy and Insights
- Associate Director, Opinion Leader Programming
- Global KOL Manager
- Sr Manager, International and Global Customer Meeting Services
- Global Thought Leader Center of Excellence
- Medical Education, Launch, and TL Engagement
- US Customer Meeting Services
- KOL Marketing
- Associate Director, Medical Marketing
- Digital Communication
- Media/Multimedia
- External Engagement
- Commercial Operations
- Marketing Operations
- Field sales/Field Directors
- Strategic Account Management
- Advisory Board Management
- Professional Education/Programs
- Global Relations
- Compliance, Legal and Regulatory
- CRM Systems
- External Affairs
- Stakeholder Relations/Outreach
- Physician Education/Outreach
- Promotional Regulatory Affairs
- Franchise/Business Unit/Therapeutic Area Management
- Brand/Portfolio Management
- Brand/Product Commercialization
- Commercial//Marketing Strategy
Can I register a group?
What is the Event About?

The ONLY Thought Leader Liaison-focused event in the Pharma industry is COMING BACK for its 5th Edition!

The 5th Thought Leader Liaison Engagement Summit is the only conference that focuses entirely on the TLL/Regional Marketing role within the Pharmaceutical industry. Emphasizing on TLL strategies, using of technology and enhancing HCP engagement across the board, in advisory boards, speaker programs in a compliant manner and the KOL-DOL strategizing and prioritizing, learning from established TLL teams and their successful implementation of new tactics.
Venue

The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia,
Autograph Collection
21 North Juniper Street,
Philadelphia, PA, 19107, US

A limited and exclusive room block is available for our 5th Thought Leader Liaison Engagement Summit. To take advantage of our discounted room rate please click here.

Please note there is only one official, exclusive housing block for this event. Any other channels for booking reservations are not authorized. If you are contacted by a 3rd party housing company claiming to have a relationship with Momentum Events Group LLC, its event and/or Wyndham Lake Buena Vista; these companies and others like it are not in any way affiliated with us.
Sponsorship

2025 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW OPEN

Sponsorship is a great way to enhance your brand’s visibility and help you connect with top-level decision-makers, innovators, and industry disruptors. There are a number of ways to maximize branding opportunities at the summit.
Interested in learning more about Sponsorship Opportunities?
Contact Lauren Arcady at Laurenb@momentumevents.com to get a customized quote today!

October 28-29, 2026Hilton Arlington, Arlington, VA

The first conference to teach patient advocacy organizations how to build effective programs and collaborations with industry and federal agencies to accelerate therapeutic development

Why It Matters

Is It For You?

Patient Advocacy Organizations

Pharma & Biotech

Federal Agencies

Clinical Trial Professionals

Newer to the PAO Ecosystem

Designed for the Entire Advocacy Ecosystem

Our Chairperson

Allison Feldman

Speaking Faculty

Jean Campbell

Keith N. Fargo, PhD

Deborah Fowler

Eric Gascho

Raymond Puerini

Erika Sward

Interested in Becoming Part of the Speaking Faculty?

Conference Agenda

Pricing

Venue

Hilton Arlington

950 North Stafford Street

Arlington, VA 22203, US

Why Sponsor?

Interested in learning more?

Interested in learning more?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Should I Attend? (aka: What's In It for Me?)

2. Who Should Attend? (Hint: It Might Be You)

3. Can I Register a Group? (Squad Goals: Activated)

4. What’s the Event About? (The Elevator Pitch)

5. Interested in Sponsorship? (Let’s Talk Visibility + Value)

6. How Do I Network? (Spoiler: It’s Easier Than You Think)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top reasons why I should attend?

Who should attend?

Can I register a group?

What is the Event About?

Venue

Sponsorship

October 28-29, 2026
Hilton Arlington, Arlington, VA