Laura Zehm

Celebrating 15 Years

Retired CEO, Aspire Health and Retired CFO, Montage Health

Laura Zehm is an accomplished healthcare executive and experienced board member with a distinguished career in financial leadership, strategic growth, and business transformation. With expertise in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and healthcare innovation, Laura has played a pivotal role in shaping high-performing organizations and transforming healthcare delivery in the region.

As Chief Financial Officer and later Chief Administrative Officer of Montage Health, Laura spearheaded the transformation of a $2 billion integrated healthcare delivery system, leading strategic planning, financial restructuring, and operational improvements. In that role she led the development of Aspire Health, the first Medicare Advantage plan in the region, serving as its CEO. Notably, as a board member of Natividad Medical Center, Laura contributed to the successful turn-around from an annual loss of $22 million to a gain of $7 million within three years while facilitating CEO recruitment and transition.

Laura has experience serving on multiple boards, including 1st Capital Bancorp (OTC: FISB), Aspire Health, Montage Medical Group, Monterey Peninsula Surgery Center and Monterey County Family Justice Center. Additionally, Laura serves as an advisor to an innovative healthcare venture, HIDO Health, advising on financial strategy and long-term business planning.

An advocate for corporate governance excellence, Laura is a Certified Director through the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and has been recognized as a 50 Women to Watch Finalist by 50/50 Women on Boards. She is also the co-chair of the Bay Area 5050 Women on Boards and a member of Women Corporate Directors (WCD).

Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Illinois University and an MBA from Golden Gate University.

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Code of Conduct: Governing Data & Emerging Tech

Boards are no longer observers of emerging technology; they are stewards of how it’s governed. This panel goes beyond awareness to examine how directors can structure oversight, define accountability, and measure governance effectiveness in AI, data use, and digital innovation. Panelists will share practical strategies for building governance systems that ensure transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible innovation at scale.

Your First Board Meeting: A Director’s Playbook

Designed for aspiring and newly appointed directors, this session offers practical guidance on how to step confidently into your first boardroom. Learn what to expect in early meetings, how to contribute with purpose, and how to quickly build credibility and trust among seasoned peers. Gain insight into board dynamics, unspoken protocols, and the critical questions new directors should be ready to ask and answer.

Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism

In this tactical, director-focused session, participants will engage in case-based exercises to dissect real campaigns and pressure scenarios. From activist letters to proxy fights, explore how boards can craft strategic responses that reinforce governance integrity, protect corporate reputation, and align with long-term priorities. Walk away with actionable tactics and frameworks to strengthen board preparedness in the face of growing investor scrutiny.

Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action

This interactive session places directors inside the boardroom during moments of disruption. Through tabletop exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how boards can apply structured frameworks to assess geopolitical risk, anticipate threats, and make decisive decisions under pressure. Designed as a classroom-style session, this breakout provides practical tools to strengthen oversight and build a proactive board response strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reputation & Response: How Boards Navigate Shareholder Activism

As shareholder activism intensifies, boards face mounting pressure to defend strategy, protect corporate reputation, and engage stakeholders with clarity. This panel brings together seasoned directors to explore how boards can respond effectively while maintaining credibility, board alignment, and stakeholder trust. Hear real-world insights on navigating activism in today’s high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Navigating Global Markets: Trade, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Strategy

As global disruptions reshape business models, this panel will explore how boards can navigate the practical complexities of trade, tariffs, and supply chain shifts across regions. Panelists will share how directors are guiding companies through regulatory changes, sourcing challenges, and new market risks, while seizing opportunities for growth and operational agility.

Strengthening Oversight: Risk Management and Board Resilience

This keynote will equip directors to think globally about risk through the lens of geopolitical foresight, cross-border tensions, and long-term instability. Learn how boards can strengthen oversight and guide enterprise-wide resilience by anticipating disruption and embedding a proactive risk culture in a changing world.

Celebrating 15 Years

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