Daniella Eiroa, DAT, LAT, ATC, OPE-C
Emily Mulkey Swisher MBA, MS, ATC

11:05 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 25

Leadership volunteerism is a powerful way for early professionals to develop skills, expand networks, and make meaningful contributions to their field. Beyond formal roles, engagement in mentorship, advocacy, and community initiatives foster both personal and professional growth. To create a more inclusive and engaged profession, volunteer opportunities must be accessible and adaptable to diverse interests, skill sets, and time commitments. This session will explore innovative ways to break down barriers to leadership volunteerism, empowering attendees with actionable strategies to get involved and make an impact.

Erin M. Reese, MAOL

2:20 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

Athletic trainers play a critical role in injury prevention and recovery, but what happens when legal risks come into play? This talk will explore why personal liability insurance is a must-have for career protection. We will highlight real-world examples of liability claims and how the right coverage can keep you focused on what matters most—your patients.

Zach Garrett, DHSc, LAT, ATC
Suzanne Konz, PhD, LAT, ATC, CSCS

3:45 to 3:55 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

Over the past few years, there has been a rapid increase in accessibility to sports betting in the United States. A previous survey conducted on NATA members found that 9.3% of respondents admitted to betting on sports, with notable participation in NFL, college basketball, and MLB. With the lack of consistency for rules, regulations, and policies amongst states and sports leagues, there is uncertainty about the legality and ethics of using insider knowledge for betting purposes. This talk provides the athletic trainer with sources on how not to put their career on the line.

Roger Kalisiak, MSEd, AT Ret.
Rich Carey, MS AT, Ret.

10:05 to 10:15 a.m. Thursday, June 26

The NATA Historical Commission’s charge is to collect and catalogue all past and existing documents, records, photos and memorabilia to create an archives series database available to the membership for review and research. This is accomplished by utilizing the national website for dissemination of data, developing an on-going athletic training timeline and member-driven exhibits, as well as conducting legacy interviews of past leaders. Come and join us to learn how you can help preserve NATA History!

Ciara Taylor, EdD, LAT, ATC

1:50 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 26

NATA Secondary School Athletic Trainers Committee released a white paper that gave a data centric overview of job satisfaction and strategies for risk reduction, recruitment, and retention. The data revealed nearly 30% of secondary school athletic trainers were considering leaving the profession; however, what about the overarching majority that desire to stay? The goal of this presentation is to magnify a blueprint to help create healthy and supportive work environments, increased compensation, and a positive work-life rhythm.

Matthew Kutz, PhD, ATC, CSCS, FNAP

3:15 to 3:25 p.m Thursday, June 26

AT’s must navigate the challenges of the unpredictable and unknown. The EPIC Model™—emphasizing Excellence, Perception, Inspiration, and Compassion—provides a behavioral framework to help AT’s enhance decision-making and advance their careers. The EPIC approach empowers practitioners to thrive in complex environments while improving both clinical outcomes and the clinician-patient relationship.

Kylie Moraes MAT, LAT, ATC
Emily Mulkey Swisher MBA, MS, ATC

10:05 to 10:15 a.m. Friday, June 27

Being an active interviewee and asking intentional questions is essential to ensuring a position aligns with your values, morals, and lifestyle. Interviews are not just for employers to assess candidates but also for applicants to evaluate whether the role, workplace culture, and expectations fit their personal and professional goals. NATA’s Early Professionals' Committee created a resource that helps individuals craft thoughtful questions about department leadership styles, work-life balance, organizational values, structure, and growth that provide critical insight beyond the job description. Utilizing this resource assists early professionals in choosing a position that aligns with their principles, fosters job satisfaction, career growth, and long-term success. By using the Early Professional's Committee's resource, individuals learn to take a proactive approach in interviews, to make informed decisions, and find roles that truly support their well-being and aspirations.

William BJ Maack, LAT, ATC

11:30 to 11:40 a.m. Friday, June 27

This session will cover the top tips and tricks to connect with local legislators, as well as a demonstration of NATA’s advocacy software available for use by its members. By the end of the session, the audience will be more cognizant of practical strategies to advocate for the profession.