Posted on July 8, 2026
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is pleased to launch our 2026 “Meet the Speakers” weekly blog series leading up to ADAO’s 21st Annual Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference, taking place September 25–26, 2026, in Washington, DC.
Over the next seven weeks, we’ll introduce the distinguished physicians, scientists, researchers, legal experts, patient advocates, policymakers, and community leaders who will share their expertise and experiences during this year’s conference. Each feature will highlight the remarkable individuals whose work continues to advance asbestos disease prevention, improve treatment, strengthen public policy, and move us closer to a world free from asbestos-caused diseases.
This year’s conference theme, “Asbestos: Awareness, Prevention, and the Law,“ reflects the significant progress being made across science, medicine, advocacy, public policy, and the legal community while recognizing the work that remains to strengthen protections and advance an asbestos-free future.
As the only U.S. nonprofit organization to host an annual conference dedicated exclusively to preventing asbestos exposure and eliminating asbestos-caused diseases, ADAO is proud to bring together internationally recognized experts alongside patients, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, labor leaders, attorneys, and advocates from around the world.
We invite you to follow the series each week, learn more about our exceptional speakers, and register today to join us in Washington, DC, for this important educational and advocacy event.
“Meet the Speakers” Blog Schedule
July 27, 2026 — Week 1 || Meet the Speakers: Opening Ceremony & Session I: Two Decades of Advocacy: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward || Moderator: Ellen Costa
Featured speakers: Raja Flores, MD; Warrior Penny Jo Major; Linda Reinstein, BCPA; Richard Lemen, PhD, MSPH; Arthur Frank, MD, PhD; Brent Kynoch
August 3, 2026 — Week 2 || Meet the Speakers: Session II: Asbestos Prevention and Health Impacts: Risks, Diagnosis, and Advances in Treatment || Arthur Frank, MD, PhD
Featured speakers: Jacqueline M. Moline, MD, MSc; Warrior Libby Brow; Steven Markowitz, MD, DrPH; Christine Oliver, MD, MPH, MSc; Andrea Wolf, MD, MPH; and Liz Darlison, MBE DL, CEO
August 10, 2026 — Week 3 || Meet the Speakers: Session III: From Awareness to Action: Policy, Advocacy, and Strategic Communications || Christine Oliver, MD, MPH, MSc
Featured speakers: Jane Lawton Potelle; Tony Rich; Tom Laubenthal; Chris Carberg; Linda Reinstein, BCPA; Greg Russell; Celeste Monforton
August 17, 2026 — Week 4 || Meet the Speakers: Session IV: Asbestos and the Law: Litigation, Regulation, and Legislative Action || Moderator: Linda Reinstein
Featured speakers: Barry Castleman, ScD; Ali Jarrah; Bob Sussman, JD; Harminder Bains; Perry Browder; Jessica Dean; Andrew Patterson; Greg Sandifer
August 24, 2026 — Week 5 || Meet the Featured Performers, Keynote Speakers and Honorees
Friday “Under the Stars” Performers: Jordan Zevon, Jordan Summers, and Matt Cartsonis
Saturday: Conference Keynote: Dan Whu, MD, MPH, FACPM, FAAMA, ABOIM, DNBPAS, PMD-T
Dinner Keynote: Julie Gundlach; Candle Lighting: Kim Cecchini; Dinner Performance: Jill Cagle
Honorees: John M. Dement, PhD, and Michael Crane, MD, MPH, Jordan Summers, Mesothelioma UK (Meso UK), 9/11 Health Watch, Miles for Mesothelioma (Miles for Meso), Libby Brow and Penny Jo Major
August 31, 2026 — Week 6 || Meet Our Sponsors: Platinum Sponsors: Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP and Simmons Hanly Conroy, LLP; Gold Sponsors: The Gori Law Firm and Motley Rice LLC; and Silver Sponsor: Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen
We are deeply grateful to our speakers for generously contributing their time, knowledge, and leadership. Their commitment to education, collaboration, and prevention continues to inspire meaningful action and hope for communities affected by asbestos.
Together, through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we continue working toward a future where no one suffers from an asbestos-caused disease.
Official ADAO Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference Sponsors: 