Bryan O. Buckley, DrPH, MPH, MBA, CPCHE, ACC, is a leader focused on health and system-oriented approaches. As the Head of Public Health at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Dr. Buckley spearheads the strategy for advancing and achieving better health outcomes for the people and communities in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Virginia regions. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, mentoring graduate students in community partnerships and change management. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Buckley is a dedicated public health practitioner who blends frontline experience with educational insights, leading transformational initiatives in organizational development, process improvement, health delivery system redesign, performance improvement, and change management.

Dr. Buckley's academic credentials include a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, focusing on management, strategy, and organizational change. Additionally, he earned an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, a BS in Microbiology, and an MPH with a concentration in Infectious Diseases and Administration from Michigan State University. As a certified ICF coach, Dr. Buckley is deeply involved in public health leadership, serving as a former Executive Board Member at the American Public Health Association and on the National Board of Creating Healthier Communities. Locally, he contributes as a Board Member of the American Heart Association’s Greater Washington Region and Food & Friends, showcasing his commitment to community health and well-being.

Darrell M. Gray II, MD, MPH is President and CEO of Wellpoint Maryland, the largest Medicaid managed care organization in Maryland and wholly owned subsidiary of Elevance Health. In this role, Dr. Gray works to ensure Wellpoint’s members have access to high-quality care, have an exceptional consumer experience, and achieve equitable, whole health outcomes.

Dr. Gray previously served as the inaugural chief health equity officer of Elevance Health, during which time he successfully led the execution of the enterprise’s first comprehensive strategies to advance health equity through a whole-health approach (addressing physical, behavioral, social and pharmacy needs) across Elevance Health’s tens of millions of members. Notably, his efforts led to Elevance Health attaining the full, three-year National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Equity Accreditation for 22 of their Medicaid health plans in 2022 and Health Equity Plus Accreditation in 2023 including Wellpoint Maryland, an industry-first.

Prior to joining Elevance Health, Dr. Gray was an associate professor of medicine at The Ohio State University, where he served as a practicing gastroenterologist and medical director of healthy communities for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, as well as deputy director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. His work leveraged meaningful partnerships across public and private sectors in Ohio and nationally to reduce health inequities and address health-related social needs among diverse populations.

Additionally, Dr. Gray is co-founder of the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists and a member of the Founding Advisory Board for Meharry School of Global Health. He has published widely, including high-impact peer-reviewed journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Reviews, Lancet, and Cancer. Dr. Gray has also been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, and Forbes. He’s received numerous awards including the National Minority Quality Forum 40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health Award, the Ohio Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Health Equity and Awareness Award, and the Healio Disruptive Innovators Health Equity Award. Nonetheless, he cites his roles as husband to Brittney and father to Harper, Ella, Noah, and Zoë as his crowning achievements.

Dr. Gray is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and graduate of Morehouse College and Howard University College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Duke University Medical Center and gastroenterology fellowship at Washington University, subsequently earning a master’s degree in public health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as a Commonwealth Fund Fellow.

David Means is a visionary businessman, investor, activist, and humanitarian with decades of leadership and entrepreneurial experience. He launched his first company in his early 20s and brings more than 40 years of expertise in construction, along with a well-established real estate portfolio.

A committed global humanitarian, Mr. Means has helped build a church in Uganda, sponsors 100 youth in the village of Bugembe, and supports community development initiatives in Jamaica. His dedication to service extends to his long-standing involvement with the NAACP, which he joined in 2006. Over the years, he has held several key leadership roles, including Georgia NAACP State Chairman of Criminal Justice.

On May 31, 2025, Mr. Means was elected President of the ATL NAACP Branch. With more than 19 years of service, he is deeply committed to restoring the ATL NAACP as the nation’s premier branch through strong leadership, unity, and economic empowerment.

Curtis Peoples, Jr is a Physician Associate with over 10 years of experience in orthopedic spine surgery, specializing in spine care and sports medicine. He is a proud graduate of Alabama A&M University and Hofstra University. Curtis practices with one of the largest and leading orthopedic groups in the region, where he provides comprehensive care for patients with a wide range of spinal conditions, from sports-related injuries to complex chronic spine disorders.

Curtis is deeply committed to a holistic approach to health, recognizing that mental health is an essential component of overall wellness—particularly for individuals living with chronic pain. His approach to care emphasizes compassion, education, and evidence-based treatment strategies that address both the physical and psychological challenges of long-term pain. Through patient advocacy, community engagement, and health education, Curtis is passionate about empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and recovery.

Tony serves as the Senior Fellow within the Center for Health Equity at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where he leads national initiatives aimed at eliminating health disparities and advancing health equity. In this role, Tony provides strategic leadership on key projects and leverages his expertise in chronic disease prevention, exercise, and physical activity to support healthier outcomes in historically underserved communities.

Prior to joining the NAACP, Tony was a Senior Research Associate at the Georgia Health Policy Center, where he served as the Technical Assistance Lead for projects supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. There, he provided guidance to rural communities across the U.S. to enhance capacity and improve health outcomes through innovative, community-centered approaches.

Tony is passionate about collaboration and connection, often acting as a bridge between partners and resources to maximize impact. He currently serves as a member of the Georgia State University Alumni Association Board of Directors and as the Strategic Advisor - Mission Delivery and member on the national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Arthritis Foundation. He is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), committed to advancing accessible and inclusive health education.