Breakfast Speaker Series

Conversations That Shape the Future of Health

HERIF’s Breakfast Speaker Series brings together leaders across healthcare, education, and innovation for meaningful dialogue on the issues shaping our communities.

Our inaugural session explored the intersection of mental health and technology, highlighting the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities we face as care continues to evolve.

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Session Highlights

March 31, 2026 · Chicago

Mental health needs across our communities continue to rise, yet access to care remains constrained by stigma, workforce shortages, affordability, and systemic inequities. This inaugural session examines how technology can help close these gaps—while centering trust, equity, and real-world impact.
This conversation explored:
- Real-world challenges and emerging solutions
- Practical, evidence-informed strategies
- Cross-sector collaboration to advance mental health equity
Anthony Abadir, Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Anthony Abadir is a board-certified psychiatrist who practices an evidence-based, collaborative approach to mental health care. He specializes in treating mood disorders, anxiety, and substance use disorders, integrating psychodynamic principles with medication management when appropriate. Dr. Abadir focuses on tailoring treatment plans to align with each patient’s goals, values, and lifestyle, helping individuals feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout their care journey.
Maureen Conway, LCPC
Maureen is a licensed clinical professional counselor who helps patients navigate stress, major life changes, and other personal challenges. She holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Drawing from CBT and mindfulness-based approaches tailored to each individual, Maureen provides a warm, collaborative, and empowering space for her clients to explore identity, establish new routines, enhance communication skills, and align with personal values. She also integrates her ABA training to assess the function of behaviors that may be barriers to success and helps clients develop more effective coping strategies.
Tariq Mubarak, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Cimpar
Dr. Tariq Mubarak serves as Chief Medical Officer at Cimpar, where he leads clinical strategy and innovation initiatives. As emcee, Dr. Mubarak will guide the conversation and facilitate audience engagement.
- 9:30–9:45 AM | Arrival, Coffee & Networking
- 9:45–10:15 AM | Welcome & Keynote Address
- 10:15–10:45 AM | Panel Discussion: Mental Health & Technology
- 10:45–10:55 AM | Audience Q&A
- 10:55–11:00 AM | Closing Remarks
The HERIF & MATTER Healthcare Tech Breakfast Speakers Series creates space for candid, practical dialogue around the most pressing challenges facing healthcare today. Each convening is designed to be inclusive, action-oriented, and rooted in real-world impact—connecting ideas to implementation and conversation to collaboration.

Mental Health & Technology

Mental health needs across our communities continue to rise, yet access to care remains constrained by stigma, workforce shortages, affordability, and systemic inequities. This inaugural Breakfast Speakers Series session examines how technology can help close these gaps—while centering trust, equity, and human-centered innovation.