DESIGNING

CONNECTIONS: HOW

ACHE OF SOUTH

FLORIDA REINVENTED

NETWORKING FOR

HEALTHCARE LEADERS

Insights from Healthcare Executives

By Adrian Parker, FACHE | Michelle Marsh | Ashley Chacko

YOU CAN

ENGINEER

SERENDIPITY

—AND THAT’S

WHAT THIS

MODEL DOES

The idea was simple. To create a system where every attendee walks away with new, purposeful

connections—no awkward entrances, networking cliques or missed opportunities.

Each participant received one of four randomly assigned, color-coded wristbands (Blue, Green,

Orange, Yellow). Over the course of various five-minute rounds, attendees were guided through

a series of structured pairings. The rotation was intentional, so everyone had the chance to meet

someone new in each round, with the final portion of the evening left open for reconnecting with

familiar faces.

The entire experience was facilitated live, with prompts, timers, and pairing announcements.

Attendees were encouraged to share not just titles and organizations, but:

Their ACHE membership status

A unique personal or professional insight

A preferred way to connect after the event

“This wasn’t about handing out business cards and hoping for the best,” said Adrian Parker, who

designed the networking concept. “We wanted to turn networking into a guided experience

where every interaction had structure, intention, and follow-through.”

Michelle Marsh, ACHE of South Florida’s Networking Chair, emphasized how the format made

networking more approachable—even for those who typically find it intimidating. “This was the

first time our chapter implemented a speed networking component into one of our regular social

events,” she said. “Because of the format, individuals had to pair up for five minutes and genuinely

connect. There was a lot of positive energy in the room—especially when folks were trying to find

their wristband match. For people who might be more introverted or shy, it offered the perfect

nudge to engage. We’ll definitely consider doing this again.”

In the world of professional development, we often tell emerging leaders: “It’s not just what

you know, it’s who you know.” But how do you design a networking experience that creates

momentum, energy, and not just small talk?

ACHE of South Florida recently took on that challenge with a fresh approach: a structured speed

networking model. The result? A replicable format that any organization—professional

association, corporate team, or student group—can adopt to strengthen connections and foster

collaboration among members.

Introduction

A Networking Framework That Works

Delivering this experience required thoughtful planning and active facilitation. Michelle Marsh

and Ashley Chacko, Networking Chair-Elect, brought the event to life—not just by coordinating

logistics, but by creating a welcoming atmosphere where attendees felt seen, supported, and

excited to engage.

The Facilitators Behind the Format

ACHE of South Florida’s structured networking concept addresses three common challenges:

1. Equal Access – Everyone participates in every round, regardless of seniority or confidence

level.

2. Purposeful Dialogue – Prompts and time limits push participants beyond surface-level

introductions.

3. Built-In Follow-Up – Attendees leave with a clear path to reengage and continue

conversations.

Whether you’re leading a regional healthcare chapter, a student organization, or an internal

leadership group, this format can be adapted to fit your needs. All it takes is:

Color-coded identifiers (wristbands, badges, etc.)

A clear rotation system and pairing plan

Prompts that go beyond “What do you do?”

A live facilitator to guide the experience and keep energy high

And most importantly—an understanding that meaningful relationships don’t happen by chance.

They happen by design.

“When people feel guided, seen, and supported, they open up,” added Parker. “You can engineer

serendipity—and that’s what this model does.”

Ashley Chacko shared how their team kept the energy high and the timing smooth. “Knowing

how intimidating new spaces can be, we were intentional about setting expectations early,” she

said. “We included the speed networking format on all event communications and opened the

night with a clear rundown of what to expect. While we had a structured agenda, we made real-

time adjustments to optimize the experience such as shortening the number of sessions from eight

to four to preserve time for open networking, and extending individual rounds when we saw

meaningful conversations taking place. Our top priority was to create an environment that

fostered genuine connection and the feedback confirmed we did just that.”

Why This Model Works (and How You Can Use It)

Want to learn more or try this format at your next event?

Contact the ACHE of South Florida Networking Team

Follow ACHE of South Florida on LinkedIn

Visit acheofsouthflorida.org

ADRIAN PARKER, FACHE

Adrian Parker, FACHE, is a Past President and current

Member-at-Large for ACHE of South Florida, as well as the

Board Chair for the South Florida Institute on Aging. He also

serves as the Executive Director in the Office of Strategy &

Innovation for Broward County Public Schools, the nation’s

6th largest school district. With a career spanning multiple

industries and numerous leadership roles, Adrian has attended

more than one thousand networking events, connecting with

thousands of professionals. His dedication to fostering

collaboration and innovation is evident in his work to drive

meaningful change across industries.

MICHELLE F. MARSH, MHSA

Michelle F. Marsh, M.H.S.A. is the Founder and President of

Forma Advisors and a seasoned executive in healthcare

strategic planning, with over 20 years of experience. She has

led strategic planning functions within healthcare and hospital

systems and currently partners with a variety of healthcare

organizations, specializing in business development and

program planning consulting.

Since 1999, Ms. Marsh has served on the Board of Directors

for the South Florida chapter of the American College of

Healthcare Executives (ACHE), holding multiple leadership

positions, including Chair and Chair-Elect. She currently

serves as Networking Chair, where she is passionate about

organizing and hosting impactful networking events for

healthcare professionals across the South Florida region.

ACHE of South Florida’s speed networking

concept proves that structure doesn’t limit

connection—it enhances it. By rethinking how

we bring professionals together, we can create

more equitable, engaging, and impactful

opportunities to build community in healthcare

leadership and beyond.

Because in the end, you’re always just one well-

designed conversation away from your next

opportunity.

The Takeaway

ASHLEY CHACKO, MHA

Ashley Chacko, MHA is an accomplished healthcare leader

with a proven record of strategic leadership, operational

excellence, and leading teams across diverse healthcare

settings. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Market

Intelligence and Strategic Planning at HOPCo where she

delivers data-driven, actionable insights that support growth

initiatives and improve performance outcomes. Prior to

HOPCo, she was the Director of Executive Administration at

Cleveland Clinic Florida. Ashley is deeply committed to

community service and actively participates in a variety of

initiatives. She is presently on the Board of Directors as

Network Chair Elect for the ACHE South Florida Chapter.

Ashley has been an active member of ACHE since 2018,

served on the Board of Directors for three years, and

participates in the national Mentor-Leadership Mentoring

Program as a mentor for rising leaders.