Keynote Speaker Announced - See Below!

2026 ILOTA Annual Conference

In-Person, Two-Day Conference on Friday and Saturday, November 20-21, 2026, at the NIU Naperville Conference Center

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 Plenary Panel Presentation

Keynote Speaker Announced!

"Courage Is Collective: Reimagining Occupational Therapy Through Building Community, Connection, and Shared Ownership to Drive Change"

1:00 pm - Friday, November 20, 2026

Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA is a Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy and former Director of Admissions at the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. As the architect of USC Chan’s holistic admissions process, Dr. Anvarizadeh led transformative efforts that resulted in the most diverse cohorts in the Division’s history all while preserving rigorous and effective admissions standards. Her leadership has also been pivotal in strengthening recruitment and retention strategies, creating pathway programs, and promoting inclusive pedagogy.

A Founding Member and former Chair of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD), Dr. Anvarizadeh has been a driving force in advancing justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-oppression within the occupational therapy profession. She is the visionary behind many of COTAD’s cornerstone initiatives, including COTAD Chapters, the COTAD Toolkit, the Ignite Series, and the Fieldwork Task Force.

Dr. Anvarizadeh made history as the youngest and the first Black and Iranian woman to serve as Vice President of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and to be inducted into the prestigious Roster of Fellows (FAOTA). She made history again with her landslide election as AOTA President, a role she officially assumed in July 2025.

In addition to her current role as AOTA President, Dr. Anvarizadeh has held numerous national leadership positions, including Chair of the Credential Review and Accountability Committee (CRAC), member of the Representative Assembly Leadership Committee (RALC), member of the Governance Task Force, and liaison between the Governance and DEI Task Forces. She also served on the AOTA Special Task Force on Entry-Level Education and was a key contributor to the national dialogue on entry-level degree requirements. Dr. Anvarizadeh is a proud alumna of the 2020 Executive Leadership Program for Multicultural Women.

In her home state of California, she has been recognized with the Janice Matsutsuyu Outstanding Service Award and the Vision Award from the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). She previously served as OTAC’s Communications Chair for seven years and contributed to various committees, including Advocacy and Government Affairs and Conference Planning.

An accomplished author and dynamic speaker, Dr. Anvarizadeh has presented at numerous state, national, and international conferences, delivering keynotes, lectures, and commencement addresses. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is a contributing editor to the recently published book Occupational Identity.

Most recently, Dr. Anvarizadeh is embracing her most meaningful role yet: motherhood. She is intentional about honoring this life shift, leaning into her community, and nurturing balance. Deeply passionate about building sustainable, healthy, and inclusive communities, she continues to champion equity, empowerment, and advocacy. Through her work and heart-centered leadership, she inspires others to discover, cultivate, and amplify their fullest potential.

1. In-Person on Friday, November 20, 2026
2. In-Person on Saturday, November 21, 2026
3. In-Person on BOTH Friday and Saturday, November 20-21, 2026
4. Virtual ONLY

To help us plan accordingly, please register by November 15th.

(Check out last year's sponsors and exhibitors!) 

right across the street from the NIU Naperville Conference Center.)

ILOTA staff members, as well as official photographers/videographers, will photograph and record events and educational sessions throughout the Conference and will be identified by Conference name badges. The photographers and audio/video recordings taken at Conference are used exclusively by ILOTA for promotional purposes and continuing education offerings. Photographs and recordings may be used in the Association’s publications, social media, or on its website, and they may appear in programs or other ILOTA promotional materials. If you are at an event or session at which our ILOTA photographer is present and you do not wish to be photographed, please identify yourself to the photographer and your request will be honored.