Speakers
Katherine Shanahan
Senior Pharmacy Analytic Advisor, Truven by Merative
Katherine Shanahan is a pharmaceutical industry expert, assisting commercial and government payers, providers, and research teams in developing actionable pharmacy-related analytics, strategies, and programs. With a background in pharmacology, toxicology, drug research and development, she began working with payers over a decade ago, driven by the emergence of specialty medication and the opioid crisis. Katherine supports efforts to identify cost saving opportunities, improve prescribing quality, reduce misuse and abuse of medications, and lower barriers to effective treatment in order to make healthcare more affordable and effective for plans and patients alike.
Stephen Lott
Director of Pharmacy Benefits, University of Michigan
Dr. Stephen Lott is the Director of Pharmacy Benefits and PGY1 Managed Care Residency Program Director of the University of Michigan Prescription Drug Plan. In his current role, he is responsible for the management and oversight of pharmacy utilization across the University’s employee population. He serves as an adjunct clinical instructor for the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, where he precepts pharmacy students and provides didactic lectures in various courses on health economics, outcomes research, and managed care. Dr. Lott also serves as an Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Diplomat for the University of Michigan.
Rita Bartolacci
Benefits Strategist, Healthcare and Well-being, Penn State University
Rita Bartolacci is the Benefits Strategist for Penn State. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from DeSales University. She has worked in governmental and healthcare Human Resources at various senior leadership levels for 25 years. She also obtained her Pennsylvania Nursing Licensure to provide additional healthcare background to her HR experience. She joined Penn State a little over six years ago as an HR Consultant and then HR Strategic Partner. She moved into her new position as the Benefits Strategist for the University in early 2020. In this role, Rita manages the Healthcare and Wellbeing Strategy for Penn State as well as working on the design and administration of the University’s overall benefit programs and Total Rewards Strategy. Rita enjoys combining her psychology, nursing and Human Resources backgrounds as well as her healthcare and benefits expertise to analyze claims data, strategize on plan design, promote employee well-being and develop employee-centered, value-based healthcare and Total Rewards Strategies for Penn State University.
Katie Kolodge
Director of Benefits & Time Away, University of Minnesota
As Director of Benefits and Time Away at the University of Minnesota, Katie works to ensure that the University’s benefits programs align with institutional goals and support the health and wellbeing of employees and their families. She brings both strategic insight and a practical approach to her work, translating complexity into benefit programs that are clear, accessible, and impactful. Before joining the University, Katie served in human resources and benefits roles with the City of Minneapolis and ISD 622, where she developed a deep appreciation for the role public institutions play in supporting their employees and communities. With nearly 20 years of experience in HR and benefits, Katie is dedicated to designing programs that reflect empathy, equity, and evidence, and to fostering workplaces where employees feel supported and respected.