2026 Winter Symposium
Difficult Conversations in Regulation
Regulatory work often requires navigating sensitive issues, competing priorities, and differing perspectives. Whether clarifying the limits of a regulator’s authority, balancing access to services with quality and safety, or responding to public criticism and political pressure, regulators are frequently called into challenging discussions where there are no simple solutions.
CLEAR’s 2026 Winter Symposium will explore how regulatory professionals can approach these conversations with clarity, empathy, and effectiveness. Sessions will address topics such as the inevitability of conflict in regulation, examine how to respond when systems or organizations fall short, and explore ways to engage stakeholders and the public when expectations are high, perspectives are polarized, or trust in regulation is questioned. Through a mix of presentations, panels, and interactive roundtable dialogue, participants will examine strategies, share experiences, and gain insights for fostering productive conversations in complex regulatory environments.
Complete the Evaluation
Evaluation will open at the conclusion of the symposium.
CLEAR 2026 Winter Symposium
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | Hutton Hotel | Nashville, Tennessee
Download the full program here
Registration will begin at 7:30am in the 6th level foyer outside of the Lyric Ballroom and remain open throughout the event.
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-9:15 Welcome Remarks
Paul Byrne | CLEAR Board President
9:15-10:15 The How and When of Difficult Conversations: Data, Empathy, and Professional Accountability
Dr. William Cooper | President, Vanderbilt Health Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Across Jurisdictions: The Conversations you Wish you Didn’t Have to Have
Jacquline Arcelin | Deputy Division Director of Program Operations, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
Dr. Raymond Healy | Director of Registration, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Graeme Keirstead | Deputy Registrar / Chief Legal Counsel, College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC
11:30-12:15 Is Professional Licensing a Racket?
Dr. Rebecca Haw Allensworth | David Daniels Allen Distinguished Chair of Law, Vanderbilt University Law School
12:15-1:15 Networking Lunch
1:15-2:15 Speed Rounds: Let’s Have the Difficult Conversations
2:15-2:45 Networking Break
2:45-3:45 Using Difficult Conversations to Build Trust
Dr. Chris Hacker | Registrar and CEO, BC College of Oral Health Professionals
Daniel Hereth | Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
3:30-4:15 Q&A with day’s speakers and program synthesis
5:00-6:00 Symposium Attendee & Committee Member Reception
Symposium Resources
The How and When of Difficult Conversations: Data, Empathy, and Professional Accountability
Dr. William Cooper | President, Vanderbilt Health Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy
Using Difficult Conversations to Build Trust
Dr. Chris Hacker | Registrar and CEO, BC College of Oral Health Professionals
Daniel Hereth | Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Complete the Evaluation
Evaluation will open at the conclusion of the symposium.