San Diego, CA – Twelve individuals were named as 2026 Work Comp Changemaker© honorees at the 2nd annual Work Comp Changemaker Award presentation at the ELEVATE® Conference yesterday in Coronado, California.
Presented during a red-carpet-style event at the historic Hotel del Coronado, the Work Comp Changemaker© Awards celebrated individuals making a meaningful difference, pushing past legacy barriers, building new pathways, and leading our industry through positive engagement and action.
“Work Comp Changemaker honorees are people to watch as these folks are moving the needle toward positive industry change,” said Yvonne Guibert, co-founder of the Work Comp Changemaker© Awards.
Co-hosts of the Deconstructing Comp Podcast, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez, launched the Work Comp Changemaker© Awards to honor bold, purpose-driven professionals working to make positive change in the workers’ compensation industry and to prepare for the next generation of professionals.
The Awards recognize emerging and established industry professionals who, over the past 2–5 years, have demonstrated:
- Courageous leadership
- Measurable impact and influence
- Integrity, collaboration, and resilience
- Commitment to mentorship and systemic improvement
The 2026 honorees included:
2026 Hidden Gems, selected for their quiet yet powerful leadership, these individuals are making a real impact in our industry:
- Dr. Leslie Cadet, Ascend Occupational Medicine Consulting
- Nicholas Fonner, Brooks Rehabilitation
2026 Work Comp Changemaker Honorees:
This distinguished honor is awarded to professionals who exemplify bold leadership, impact, and action across multiple dimensions of the workers’ compensation ecosystem:
- Catherine Benavidez, Injury Management Organization
- Anthony Culpepper, Jr., Employer Defense Group LLP/AWWCP
- Dr. Geralyn Datz, Southern Behavioral Medicine Associates LLC
- Dr. Steven Feinberg, Feinberg Medical Group
- Kimberly George, Sedgwick
- Agnes Hoberling, AvonRisk
- Kirsten Kaiser Kus, Downey, Lenkov, Milstein & Kus Law Firm
- Roberta Serena Mike, Strategic Comp/Workers’ Compensation Career Mentorship Group
- Dave Taylor, Charter Communications
- Licia Thompson-Young, Licia Thompson Coaching and Consulting
To learn more about the selection process and to see profiles of this year’s Work Comp Changemaker© Honorees, visit the Deconstructing Comp website.
Source: Deconstructing Comp