2027 Global TapRooT® Summit Keynote Speakers

The stage is set for an unforgettable experience at the 2027 Global TapRooT® Summit! Our lineup of inspiring keynote speakers will challenge the way you think, share game-changing insights, and provide practical strategies you can bring back to your organization.

Discover new ideas, connect with industry experts, and gain the knowledge you need to strengthen your improvement program and drive world-class performance.

Darrin Wertz

Lessons from a Major Investigation

April 7, Wednesday, at 10:20 AM

Every major incident leaves behind more than damage. It leaves behind lessons that can prevent the next one.

In this compelling keynote, Darrin Wertz, Director of Pipeline Safety Management and Quality Assurance at Eversource Energy, shares the story behind a significant industry incident and the critical lessons that emerged from it. Through an honest examination of what happened, why it happened, and how the organization responded, attendees will gain valuable insights into the realities of leading through high-consequence events.

Designed specifically for professionals committed to improving safety, reliability, and operational excellence, this session goes beyond the incident itself to explore the human, organizational, and leadership factors that influence outcomes. Darrin will discuss how strong safety culture, effective learning systems, accountability, and meaningful corrective actions can transform a difficult experience into a catalyst for lasting improvement.

Whether you conduct incident investigations, lead operational teams, or champion continuous improvement, you’ll leave with practical takeaways for strengthening your organization’s ability to learn from failure, improve decision-making, and reduce future risk.

Join us for an engaging keynote that reinforces one of the central themes of the 2027 Global TapRooT® Summit: every incident is an opportunity to learn, improve, and build a safer, more resilient future.

Ryan Lavarnway

Navigating as a Leader, The Why Not Mindset™

April 7, Wednesday, at 4:00 PM

In high-risk industries, success depends on more than procedures and processes, it depends on people who believe they can make a difference.

World Series Champion, Olympian, and leadership coach Ryan Lavarnway shares the incredible journey that took him from a 5’4″ high school sophomore who didn’t make the varsity baseball team to competing at the highest levels of professional baseball. His story demonstrates that breakthrough performance begins with a simple but powerful question: Why not?

In this inspiring keynote, Ryan introduces The Why Not Mindset™—a framework built on three essential pillars: Mindset (“Why not me?”), Ownership (“Why not more?”), and Culture (“Why not us?”). Through unforgettable stories and practical insights, attendees will discover how these principles foster accountability, resilience, collaboration, and continuous improvement within their organizations.

Whether you’re leading investigations, improving reliability, strengthening safety culture, or driving operational excellence, the greatest opportunities often begin by challenging assumptions and empowering people to think differently. Ryan’s message will inspire you to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and create an environment where individuals and teams are motivated to take ownership and pursue excellence every day.

You’ll leave ready to ask the question that can transform performance, improve decision-making, and drive lasting change:

Why not?

Dan Verlinde

AI & Root Cause Analysis

April 8, Thursday, at 9:00 AM

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way organizations work, but can it enhance root cause analysis without replacing the critical thinking and expertise of experienced investigators?

In this forward-looking keynote, Dan Verlinde explores the evolving role of AI in the root cause analysis industry and demonstrates how these emerging technologies are being thoughtfully integrated into the TapRooT® Software. Rather than replacing investigators, AI serves as a powerful tool to streamline routine tasks, improve consistency, and help investigation teams focus on what matters most: finding and fixing the true root causes.

Attendees will get an exclusive look at how the TapRooT® Software is incorporating AI throughout the investigation process. From organizing information and guiding users through the TapRooT® process to helping identify root causes and develop stronger corrective actions, AI can reduce administrative burdens while reinforcing proven root cause analysis principles and best practices.

Dan will also discuss why responsible AI implementation is essential. The most successful investigations will always rely on human judgment, experience, and critical thinking. AI should enhance an investigator’s capabilities by providing guidance and efficiency. Not by making decisions on the investigators behalf.

Whether you’re exploring AI for the first time or looking to improve the quality, consistency, and efficiency of your investigations, this keynote will offer practical insights into the future of root cause analysis and demonstrate how AI can be used responsibly to support investigators, strengthen decision-making, and drive more effective, sustainable corrective actions.

Heather MacDougall

Influencing Your Operational Partners for Safety Excellence

April 8, Thursday, at 4:00 PM

Achieving world-class safety performance isn’t the responsibility of the safety department alone. It’s the result of strong partnerships across every level of an organization.

In this engaging keynote, Heather MacDougall explores how safety professionals can become influential leaders who drive operational excellence by building meaningful relationships with operations, engineering, maintenance, finance, and frontline teams. While technical expertise is essential, sustainable improvement requires the ability to communicate effectively, influence decision-makers, and create shared ownership for safety throughout the organization.

Drawing on extensive leadership experience in complex, high-risk operations, Heather shares practical strategies for breaking down organizational silos, aligning safety with business objectives, and integrating safety into the way work is planned, executed, and continuously improved. Attendees will discover how trust, collaboration, and effective communication can transform safety from a compliance function into a key driver of organizational performance.

Whether you’re leading investigations, implementing corrective actions, improving human performance, or advancing your organization’s safety culture, this keynote will provide practical tools to strengthen leadership engagement and influence operational decisions that lead to lasting results.

Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to build stronger partnerships, increase organizational commitment to safety, and help create a culture where operational excellence and safety excellence go hand in hand.

Noelle Pikus-Pace

Where You Look is Where You Go

April 9, Friday, at 11:00 AM

In every organization, the direction you focus determines the results you achieve. Whether you’re leading teams, investigating incidents, or driving continuous improvement, your mindset shapes your decisions, actions, and outcomes.

Olympic silver medalist, World Champion, and bestselling author Noelle Pikus-Pace knows this better than anyone. After a devastating training accident shattered her Olympic dreams just months before the 2006 Winter Games, she faced a choice: focus on what she had lost or on what was still possible. That decision ultimately led her back to the world’s biggest stage, where years later she captured an Olympic silver medal through perseverance, purpose, and unwavering focus.

In this inspiring keynote, Noelle shares the powerful principle behind her success: Where You Look Is Where You Go. Through heartfelt stories, humor, and practical insights, she’ll demonstrate how shifting your focus from fear, doubt, and setbacks to opportunity, growth, and purposeful action can transform both individual performance and organizational culture. Attendees will learn how to develop a resilient mindset, overcome limiting beliefs, and maintain clarity even when facing adversity.

For professionals committed to improving safety, reliability, and operational excellence, the message is especially relevant. The best investigations, strongest corrective actions, and highest-performing organizations all begin with a commitment to learning, continuous improvement, and focusing on solutions rather than obstacles.

You’ll leave inspired to embrace challenges with confidence, lead with greater purpose, and return to your organization ready to create lasting change, because where you choose to look today will determine where you go tomorrow.