Lori Ashmore-Ruppel is the director, sponsor services of the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). She assists the Catholic health ministry nationwide by providing resources and facilitation in the area of sponsorship. Responsibilities include assisting the senior director through research, writing and management of major departmental programs and projects. She coordinates planning, production and implementation of the Sponsor Formation Program for Catholic Health Care that prepares current and prospective members of ministerial juridic person to carry out their responsibilities as stewards of the health ministry of the Catholic Church.

Prior to starting her current position, Ms. Ashmore-Ruppel served as the mission program and research associate for the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Her focus was planning and facilitation of the Sponsor Formation Program for Catholic Health Care and providing research in the areas of ethics, mission and formation.

In 2010, Ms. Ashmore-Ruppel served as director of a non-profit program sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province.

Ms. Ashmore-Ruppel received her master’s degree in pastoral studies from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis and a graduate certificate in non-profit leadership and management from University of Missouri - St. Louis. She has a bachelor’s degree in human services from Fontbonne University in St. Louis.

Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP, S.T.D., is senior director, theology and sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). He counsels and assists sponsors and members of Public Juridic Persons (PJPs) in carrying out their canonical responsibilities for the health ministry of the Catholic Church and provides guidance for CEOs and boards regarding the distinctive roles of sponsorship and governance. He also works with Church leaders and bishops at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and at the Holy See on a range of issues involving health care, social justice, public policy and the Church.

From 2015-2018, Fr. Bouchard served as CHA’s senior director, theology and ethics, where he supported the Catholic health ministry nationwide as an author, educator and consultant on the church's theological and ethical teaching. He also served as executive editor of CHA’s quarterly online publication, Health Care Ethics USA.

Prior to joining CHA, Fr. Bouchard served as provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great from 2011 to 2015; as vice president for theological education at Ascension Health from 2008 to 2011; and as president and associate professor of moral theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis for 18 years. He was instrumental in beginning Aquinas' Master of Arts in Health Care Mission program, as well as the nation's only Catholic doctoral program in preaching.

He writes and lectures extensively on issues in health care, health care ethics, Catholic identity in sponsored institutions, and the intersection of political life, religion and faith. He contributed to and edited a volume of essays on theology and health care entitled "Incarnate Grace: Perspectives on the Ministry of Catholic Health Care," published by the Catholic Health Association in 2017.

Recent publications include "Sponsors are Called to be Prophets and Reformers,” Health Progress (May-June 2019), and “Making Ministry Whole: How MJPs Could Transform the Church,” Commonweal (November 7, 2019).

Fr. Bouchard entered the Dominicans in 1974 and was ordained in 1979. He completed doctoral studies in moral theology at The Catholic University of America in 1987. In 2018, he received “The Great Preacher Award” from the Aquinas Institute of Theology.

Nancy Hooks is vice president, state and affiliate relations, for LeadingAge, Washington, D.C. In her role, she is responsible for establishing, managing, and sustaining consistently strong, trusting, and collaborative relationships between LeadingAge and its 38 state association partners. Ms. Hooks has been with LeadingAge for nearly 20 years and was previously the director of housing policy at LeadingAge New York.

Ms. Hooks provides ongoing trouble-shooting and strategic guidance to the leadership of LeadingAge state partners. In addition, she represents LeadingAge at state partner board retreats, conferences, and member events.

She also creates and sustains relationships with several affinity groups (e.g., faith-based and fraternal organizations) as well as targeted multi-state providers and sponsors.

Ms. Hooks is the past co-chair of the Congressional Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs of Seniors in the 21st Century and the project director for the LeadingAge Pandemic Playbook.

She holds an master of science degree in public health administration and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).

Lisa McCracken is director of senior living research and development for Ziegler Investment Banking, Chicago. She joined the senior living team at Ziegler in July 2013. Her her primary focus is concentrated on conducting industry research and trend analyses for educative purposes in the form of presentations, newsletters, and research publications.

Ms. McCracken supports the national senior living finance practice and also works to advance the comprehensive health care goals of the firm. In her role, she facilitates a number of primary research projects, coordinates national, regional and statewide industry conferences, and regularly engages with boards and leadership teams to strategically plan for their future needs.  

Prior to joining Ziegler, she most recently served as president of a national senior living research and consulting firm where her tenure lasted more than 13 years. Ms. McCracken’s industry experience spans more than 20 years. She is a seasoned lecturer, facilitator and researcher and has contributed in a meaningful way to the advancement of the senior living and care sector.

She has served on various state, regional and national workgroups and has been a board member on various not-for-profit community organizations. Outside of senior living she has extensive experience in the health care and public health sectors with community health improvement, community benefit and planning activities.