2025 AAD Innovation Academy: Keynote and speaker preview
Keynote
Thursday, July 10 | 5:00 - 5:45 p.m.
Don’t miss keynote speaker Zack Kass at the 2025 AAD Innovation Academy, sharing insights from his time at OpenAI and beyond.
Zack Kass – Futurist and Former Head of GTM at OpenAI
Zack Kass, former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, will share his insights on how AI is revolutionizing industries and creating new opportunities for innovation and growth. With over 15 years of experience in the field, including advising leading companies like Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley, he brings a unique perspective on the transformative power of technology in health care and beyond.
Presidential Update
Thursday, July 10 | 5:45 - 6:00 p.m.
Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD – President, American Academy of Dermatology
Join us Thursday evening for a brief update from Dr. Susan Taylor on the latest advancements in AAD’s advocacy, education, and philanthropic efforts. Afterward, mingle with peers and industry leaders at the Welcome Reception to kick-start an inspiring weekend.
Speaker preview
Thursday, July 10 | 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Stedman Graham – Branding and the Business of Dermatology
Learn from Stedman Graham, a global leadership expert and bestselling author who has guided top brands like Microsoft, Deloitte, and Gulfstream, as he shares his approach to defining your personal and professional brand.
Friday, July 11 | 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Valerie D. Callender MD, FAAD – Celebrating Excellence: A Duo of Distinguished Talks
Dr. Callender will be awarded the A. Paul Kelly, MD Research Award and Lectureship. Her presentation, How Inclusion Drives Innovation: Redefining Clinical Trials for Excellence in Dermatology, will discuss the gaps in clinical trial designs, the need to reassess how populations are described in dermatology studies and how inclusivity in medical research can produce better outcomes for patients.
Robert S. Kirsner MD, FAAD – Celebrating Excellence: A Duo of Distinguished Talks
Dr. Kirsner will be awarded the Everett C. Fox, MD Memorial Award and Lectureship. His presentation, Leveraging the Power of Skin: From Skin Grafting to Skin Substitutes, will discuss the development and use of skin grafts and skin substitutes in acute and chronic wound healing.
