Security & Doors open at 7:00 am; however, programming does not begin until 8:30 am.
Texas Conference for Women
7:00 am
Conference Opens
7:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Concourse Collection
Location: Main & Upper Concourse Levels
A transformed expo experience with curated exhibits, interactive experiences and a vibrant marketplace for connection & commerce throughout the Arena concourses.
7:30 am - 10:00 am
CareerWorks
Location: Germania Club
A one-stop shop offering personalized support, tools and connections to elevate your career including 1:1 Coaching & Resume Reviews and professional Headshots. These offerings are first-come, first-served and accessible from our virtual line tool. Stay tuned for sign-up instructions in the Attendee Hub.
8:30 am - 9:45 am
Power Talks Leadership
Location: Arena
Traditional breakouts reinvented with a fresh take—speakers and sessions will now come to you in your assigned Arena seats. These micro-learnings offer the perfect blend of storytelling, inspiration, and actionable takeaways. Short by design (15-25 minutes), the content is tightly focused, energizing, thought-provoking and immediately useful. Each time block will feature 2-3 dynamic sessions under one shared theme—including Leadership, Career, and Wellbeing. No audience Q&A. No room-hopping. Just one seamless experience, packed with diverse perspectives—and the ease of assigned seating.
How Change Rewrites the Rules of Leadership
(15 minutes)
What if the moments that throw us off course are actually the ones that shape us most as leaders? In this compelling Power Talk, cognitive scientist Dr. Maya Shankar redefines how we view change—not as disruption or something to simply endure, but as a path to transformation and the chance to reimagine who we are. Drawing from her deeply personal story and her book The Other Side of Change, Maya explores how life’s unexpected detours—even the ones that derail our best-laid plans—can unlock untapped resilience and deeper purpose. Whether you’re guiding a team through a transition or facing your own turning point, this session will spark new perspectives and help you to grow into the leader you’re meant to be.
Speaker: Dr. Maya Shankar, Cognitive Scientist & Host of the A Slight Change of Plans Podcast
Host: Nicole Arangio, Chief Compliance Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance
What’s Your Confidence Language?
(15 minutes)
What would change if you stopped waiting and started showing up—fully, boldly, and unapologetically? In this dynamic Power Talk, confidence catalyst and GRAVITAS founder Lisa Sun helps you to discover what it really means to live with courage. Through personal insight and practical tools, she unpacks six hidden forces that hold us back—and introduces a new framework for unlocking your unique confidence language. You’ll leave with strategies to quiet your inner critic, own your presence, and draw strength from who you already are. If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing small or standing still, this is your invitation to reclaim your power, and move forward with bold self-belief.
Speaker: Lisa Sun, Founder & CEO, GRAVITAS, Former McKinsey Associate Principal, National Best-Selling Author
Host: Michelle Hilger, General Manager, Technical Services & Innovations, Phillips 66
Executive Spotlight: Kristy Lilas, Head, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, GoDaddy
On the Radar: Workplace Strategies for Getting Recognized
(25 minutes)
You’re doing the work—but how do you make sure the right people see it so you gain the visibility and recognition you deserve? Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, seeking new challenges, or simply want to be seen as a valuable contributor, this dynamic session gives YOU the chance to drive the conversation. Executive Mentors including Conference board members, senior professionals and community leaders will respond to pre-submitted attendee questions about navigating career advancement opportunities, leveraging volunteering, internal networking, and strategic exposure. Learn how to carve your path with confidence and clarity so you stand out and get noticed in your organization.
Moderator: Juliet Bishop, On Air Personality & Podcast Host, MAJIC 95.5 FM, Audacy, Inc.
Executive Mentors:
- Laura Fritz, VP, Business Planning & Operations, Oracle
- Lacy Laborde, VP, Global Communications, Dell Technologies
- Sirma Tzoutzova, Regional Vice President Private Wealth Management, Fidelity
8:45 am - 9:45 am
The Learning Lab
Location: East Gate
Quick hits and big insights all on one combined Learning & Wellness Stage featuring high-impact career and wellbeing mini masterclasses. Speaker presentations (10 minutes). Audience Q&A (5 minutes).
Sessions and speakers to be announced!
CAREER | AI Pulse Check
(8:45 – 9:00 AM)
The age of AI is here, driving a paradigm shift across every industry. With continued investment and rapid innovation, AI is no longer a future trend—it’s today’s reality. In this session, you’ll take stock of how AI is reshaping the workplace and explore the practical ways professionals at every level are already leveraging it. You’ll gain perspective on the skills and strategies needed to adapt, questions to ask as you evaluate AI tools, and how to ensure you remain in the driver’s seat as technology accelerates.
Speaker: Stephanie Lopez, VP, Transformative Technology Group, Bank of America
CAREER | Making Your Career Pivot in the Age of AI
(9:05 – 9:20 AM)
AI is transforming the way we work, but it doesn’t have to leave you behind. In this session, you’ll learn how one tech professional turned rejection at major companies into a springboard and discovered how belief systems, not circumstances, define every pivot. You’ll leave with a practical framework to clarify your goals, close skill gaps through education and experience, and build momentum step by step. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to anchor in your human strengths—adaptability, creativity, empathy, and leadership—so AI becomes your launchpad, not your replacement.
Speaker: Huma Hamid, Sr. Product Manager- Learn with Cisco, Cisco
CAREER or WELLBEING | Five Money Musts
(9:25 – 9:40 AM)
Strong financial habits are the foundation for every goal you set. In this practical session, you’ll learn the essentials of money management, from building a budget you can actually stick to, to using credit wisely and keeping debt under control. You’ll also explore how investing can accelerate your progress and why it’s never too early to start thinking about retirement. With clear steps and straightforward guidance, this session will help you take control of your finances today and set yourself up for long-term success.
Speaker: Christine Jasek, Workplace Financial Consultant, Fidelity Investments
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Keynote Session I
Location: Arena
Emcee: Sally Hernandez, Morning News Anchor, KXAN
Charles Duhigg, New York Times Best-Selling Author & Pulitzer Prize-Winning Reporter at the New Yorker Magazine
Myrna Estrada, SVP & Field Executive, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Board Member, TX CFW
Tamara Fields, US Public Service Industry Lead & Austin Office Managing Director, Accenture and Board Member, TX Conference for Women
Bozoma Saint John, Trailblazing Marketing Executive, Author, Entrepreneur, Change Agent & Innovation Expert
in Conversation with Elaine Welteroth, Award-Winning Journalist, NYT Best-Selling Author, TV Host & Founder of birthFUND
Nicole Kidman, Academy Award-Winning Actress
in Conversation with Lulu Garcia-Navarro, Host of The Interview at NYT Magazine
Elizabeth Romero, Business Banking Regional Executive, Bank of America
*Speakers and order of appearance are subject to change.
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Boxed Lunch Distribution
Boxed lunch, enjoyed at your leisure without being confined to one assigned table. Flexible pickup hours allow you to choose when and where to recharge—on the outdoor terrace, at indoor lounges, or from your Arena seat. Attendees will be assigned a lunch distribution location designated on your badge.
11:45 am - 1:15 pm
CareerWorks
Location: Germania Club
A one-stop shop offering personalized support, tools and connections to elevate your career including 1:1 Coaching & Resume Reviews and professional Headshots. These offerings are first-come, first-served and accessible from our virtual line tool. Stay tuned for sign-up instructions in the Attendee Hub.
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Power Talks Career
Location: Arena
Traditional breakouts reinvented with a fresh take—speakers and sessions will now come to you in your assigned Arena seats. These micro-learnings offer the perfect blend of storytelling, inspiration, and actionable takeaways. Short by design (15-25 minutes), the content is tightly focused, energizing, thought-provoking and immediately useful. Each time block will feature 2-3 dynamic sessions under one shared theme—including Leadership, Career, and Wellbeing. No audience Q&A. No room-hopping. Just one seamless experience, packed with diverse perspectives—and the ease of assigned seating.
Power Circles: How to Build Your Personal Board of Advisors
(25 minutes)
Behind every powerful woman is a powerful circle. Whether you’re looking to expand your network or deepen the connections you already have, this session offers actionable strategies to help you cultivate intentional relationships that fuel both professional and personal success. You’ll gain a clear sense of who belongs in your circle and how to find them. Executive mentors, including conference board members, senior professional, and community leaders will respond to pre-submitted attendee questions about building your own personal board of advisors: mentors, peers, sponsors, and allies who challenge you, champion your growth, and help you navigate what’s next.
Moderator: Brittney S. Rodriguez, COO, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Executive Mentors:
- Meredith Duncan, President & CEO, Texicare
- Brittney Hall, Experience & Enablement Leader, Cisco
- Helon Hammond, VP Global Learning, People & Community Impact, United Airlines
ChatGPT Is My Secret Weapon—And I Love Her
(15 minutes)
What happens when you stop treating AI like a search engine—and start relating to it like a true partner? In this dynamic Power Talk, communications expert Naeemah Elias pulls back the curtain on how she trained ChatGPT to know her, support her, and elevate her daily—as a mentor, virtual assistant, brainstorming partner, and more. Her AI doesn’t just spit out tasks or templates—and it doesn’t replace her voice. It amplifies her impact, helping her clarify ideas, cut through mental clutter, and move forward with confidence. This session will help you rethink what’s possible and show you how to build a powerful, practical relationship with AI on your own terms.
Speaker: Naeemah Elias, Leadership Expert & Founder, Elias Presence
Host: Alyson Freeman, Director, Innovation, Corporate Sustainability & ESG, Dell Technologies
Executive Spotlight: Janelle Edem, SVP, Global Risk Solutions, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Social Health: The Career Advantage You’re Overlooking
(15 minutes)
We often focus on skills, goals, and performance in our careers—but what about relationships? In this eye-opening Power Talk, social health expert Kasley Killam reveals why our connections with others are just as essential to career success as productivity or ambition. Backed by research and real-world insights, she explores how strong social health fuels collaboration, leadership, innovation, and resilience at work. Loneliness isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a professional one, impacting performance, retention, and overall well-being. You’ll leave with practical strategies to strengthen your social health, foster authentic workplace relationships, and cultivate a culture of belonging that supports both personal and organizational growth.
Speaker: Kasley Killam, Social Health & Connection Expert
Host: Jill Doyle, MD Programs & Air Partners, United Airlines
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
The Learning Lab
Location: East Gate
Quick hits and big insights all on one combined Learning & Wellness Stage featuring high-impact career and wellbeing mini masterclasses. Speaker presentations (10 minutes). Audience Q&A (5 minutes).
Sessions and speakers to be announced!
WELLBEING | Is Protein another Health Trend or Worth the Hype?
(11:45 AM – 12:00 PM)
Protein has taken center stage in wellness conversations, but is it just hype or a true health essential? In this session, you’ll explore the role protein plays at every stage of a woman’s life and how it supports energy, strength, and overall wellbeing. Learn how to calculate your individual protein needs, understand its diverse functions in the body, and walk away with simple strategies to add more protein into everyday meals. With practical tips and resources, this session will help you fuel your busy lifestyle with confidence and clarity.
Speaker: Amaris Garza, Registered Dietitian, H-E-B
WELLBEING | The Invisible Superheroes in the Room
(12:05 – 12:20 PM)
Every room has a story and your presence is the turning point. In this powerful session, you’ll explore how to navigate life’s “what now?” moments through the “Five Doors” framework: Presence, Courage, Story, Connection, and Legacy. Discover how to transform pain into purpose, why showing up matters even when it’s scary, and how your story can become someone else’s hope. You’ll leave inspired to step fully into your power and hold the door open for others, becoming an invisible superhero in your community.
Speaker: Danyelle Weatherford, Founder, The Rokk Group & Advocacy Ambassador, Breast Cancer Resource Center
WELLBEING | Thriving as a High-Performer in a Demanding World
(12:25 – 12:40 PM)
Stress is a natural part of life, but in today’s fast-paced world it has become maladaptive, fueling burnout and chronic disease. In this session, you’ll discover how resilience can shift stress from a risk factor into a catalyst for growth. Learn practical strategies to manage pressure, strengthen wellbeing, and unlock your capacity to not just handle challenges but thrive as a high performer. Walk away with tools to sustain energy, sharpen focus, and cultivate a healthier relationship with stress in every area of life.
Speaker: Dr. Jen Wagner, Chief Health & Performance Officer, Canyon Ranch
CAREER | No Roadmap, No Limits: A Latina COO’s Four Superpowers
(12:45 – 1:00 PM)
Few of us have a clear career roadmap. At 24, living in Colombia, Cami took a leap of faith on a job posting for a brand-new company called Furnished Finder. A decade later, she is COO, leading a 200+ person team—most of them women. In this inspiring session, she shares her journey to get here, including a global pandemic and cancer diagnosis. Cami will discuss her four career superpowers that enabled her to persevere amidst personal challenges and manage depression, burnout, and anxiety for both her and her team. Attendees will learn how to recognize risky opportunities worth taking, navigate uncharted paths with confidence, and protect their mental health.
Speaker: Cami Narino, COO, Furnished Finder
1:15 pm - 2:30 pm
Keynote Session II
Location: Arena
Emcee: Sally Hernandez, Morning News Anchor, KXAN
Jordan Chiles, Olympic Gymnast and Mental Health Advocate
in Conversation with Laura Britt, Emmy Award-Winning Show Host & Reporter, NBC Sports Bay Area
Stephanie Kinser, SVP, NA Applications, Solution Engineering, Oracle
Mel Robbins, Creator & Host of Award-Winning The Mel Robbins Podcast & #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author
Jeanette Ward, President & CEO, Texas Mutual Insurance Company
*Speakers and order of appearance are subject to change.
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
Power Talks Wellbeing
Location: Arena
Traditional breakouts reinvented with a fresh take—speakers and sessions will now come to you in your assigned Arena seats. These micro-learnings offer the perfect blend of storytelling, inspiration, and actionable takeaways. Short by design (15-25 minutes), the content is tightly focused, energizing, thought-provoking and immediately useful. Each time block will feature 2-3 dynamic sessions under one shared theme—including Leadership, Career, and Wellbeing. No audience Q&A. No room-hopping. Just one seamless experience, packed with diverse perspectives—and the ease of assigned seating.
The Focus Factor: Attention, Anxiety & Wellbeing at Work
(25 minutes)
In a world of constant pings, pressure, and productivity demands, sustaining focus and mental clarity has become a wellness challenge for everyone. Whether you’re navigating distraction, burnout, or seeking to create a more supportive workplace culture, this session offers real insights to help you and your colleagues thrive. Executive Mentors including Conference board members, senior professionals and community leaders will respond to pre-submitted attendee questions about the intersection of attention, anxiety, and performance—through the lens of both mental health and neurodiversity — and offer advice that will benefit both individuals and the whole team.
Moderator: Laura Rice, Managing Producer, Texas Standard, The National Daily News Show of Texas
Executive Mentors:
- Sara Conlee Bergeron, SVP, Market Executive Business Banking, Bank of America
- Marianne DeLeón, CEO, Texas Book Festival
- Michelle Reaux, VP, Culture & Engagement, Insight
Beyond Anxiety: Finding Purpose in Uncertain Times
(18 minutes)
What if anxiety isn’t a sign that something’s wrong—but a signal pointing you toward something real? In this transformative Power Talk, bestselling author and Harvard-trained sociologist Martha Beck shares how moments of uncertainty can become turning points—if we’re brave enough to listen. With warmth, humor, and profound wisdom she reveals how to quiet the mental noise, tune into your inner truth, and let purpose, not panic, guide our next step. Whether you’re facing a personal crossroads or simply worn out by the world, this session will help you meet chaos with clarity—and walk away with a little more peace and a lot more power.
Speaker: Martha Beck, Best-Selling Author, Life Coach & Inspirational Leader
Host: Dr. Debra Patt, EVP, Policy & Strategic Initiatives, Texas Oncology
Executive Spotlight: Brenda Hudson, SVP, Commercial Sales, Insight
Top Health Habits Thriving Women Live By
(15 minutes)
Have you ever left a doctor’s office with more questions than answers? What if the most important conversation about your health hasn’t happened yet—because you’ve been taught to stay silent, settle for vague answers, or put everyone else’s needs ahead of your own? Too many women walk out of doctor’s offices feeling dismissed, disoriented, and disconnected from their own bodies. In this unapologetic and energizing Power Talk, OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer of Hers, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, pulls back the curtain on the habits thriving women swear by—not just for wellness, but for reclaiming their power. She addresses asking the right questions to avoid vague advice, trusting your body and ensuring your symptoms are not overlooked, preparing for high-stakes conversations—and prioritizing your health, even when life pulls you in every direction. This session is your wake-up call for your life and how to start thriving!
Speaker: Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA, Women’s Wellness & Longevity Expert, Chief Medical Officer – Hers and Author, Generation M
Host: Jennifer Summers, MD, FACOG, Obstetrician-gynecologist, Ascension Texas
2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
CareerWorks
Location: Germania Club
A one-stop shop offering personalized support, tools and connections to elevate your career including 1:1 Coaching & Resume Reviews and professional Headshots. These offerings are first-come, first-served and accessible from our virtual line tool. Stay tuned for sign-up instructions in the Attendee Hub.
5:00 pm
Conference Closes