NACDS Annual 2026

Steven C. Anderson FASAE, CAE, IOM is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), a position he assumed in 2007. He represents and is the chief spokesperson for an industry that has annual sales of more than $1 trillion, employs more than 3.2 million individuals, and works with suppliers and other partners to help meet the health, wellness, and daily needs of patients and consumers across America. Nearly all Americans (91 percent), live within five miles of a retail pharmacy.

Rick Gates is the Chief Pharmacy Officer at Walgreens, based in Deerfield, Ill. Pharmacy is the foundation of Walgreens business and critical to achieving the company’s vision to reimagine local healthcare and wellbeing for all. As Chief Pharmacy Officer, Rick brings over 25 years of experience as a pharmacist at Walgreens to the organization’s efforts to evolve the future of pharmacy in healthcare, broaden pharmacy services and oversees pharmacy operations. Rick also plays a key role in aligning and advancing the Walgreens pharmacy with the U.S. Healthcare division.

Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker, Pulitzer Prize–winning and #1 New York Times best-selling author, and a partner in Pastimes Productions. Goodwin is often called upon by the news media, late-night TV hosts, and hundreds of companies, educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits to share her vast knowledge of leadership and provide historical context for current-day events, especially as our democracy is challenged, international wars rage, and we continue to struggle in a divided and polarized country.