2019 Agenda – Oct 24

• Author Signings & Meet and Greets
• Resume Review & Coaches Corner
• Health & Wellness Pavilion and Classroom
• Donation and Volunteer Opportunities
• Local and women-owned businesses
• Small Business & Tech Roundtables

Remember to print and cut out your badge before you arrive!

With printed badge in hand, you can proceed directly to the Exhibit Hall to pick up your badge holder and tote bag.

12:30 – 1:00pm

Whether you are just getting your foot in the door, negotiating your next promotion and raise or trying to secure a leadership position, working in a male-dominate field is a tough place to be a woman. With a lack of visible mentors and role models, how do you navigate your career? This session will be led by Tiffany Gray, who has fought these battles during her career and can share her lessons learned and the tangible strategies that can help you find success in the workplace. 

Speaker: Tiffanie Gray, VP, associate market manager, Wells Fargo

2:45 – 3:15pm

No matter where you want to go in life, having a posse to support and mentor you will help you get there. Building these relationships takes work, but can be rewarding both professionally and personally. Join this Tiffany Dufu session with an expert networker to learn how you can overcome any fears about networking, identify the people you need and the events to engage with and how to find multi-generational supporters to create sponsorship so that you can develop a circle who will help promote your goals, level-up your career, and see your dreams no longer deterred.

Speaker: Colette Pierce Burnette, Ed.D., president and CEO, Huston-Tillotson University

4:00 – 4:30pm

Feeling stuck in your career? Many women wonder what comes next and feel the need to move into a new direction whether from hitting a plateau, returning from a mid-career break or wanting a new career altogether.  Join this session with Sheila McElhinney to cut through the confusion so you can move more quickly in a new career direction. No matter your age, life stage, bank account balance, or career level, it’s never too late to begin a second career.  

Speaker: Sheila McElhinney, financial relationship advisor, Wells Fargo

8:00 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.

Anxiety is one of the most diagnosed mental health disorders today and it can be difficult to spot as it presents in many various behavioral forms.  From feelings of panic and excessive worry to difficulty sleeping and heart palpitations, the symptoms are different for everyone and sufferers often hesitate to get help because of the stigma attached to mental health concerns. In this session, attendees will learn what anxiety is and what it is not, when to seek help, and the five things you can do to stop doing right now to reduce anxiety. 

Speaker: Dr. Tiffany Young, author and mental health consultant

12:35 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

We all know by now the importance of adding protein to your diet. But, what many of us don’t know is how to do that without adding more meat to our meals. Join this session to learn how plant-based diets have grown in popularity and how you can easily add these foods to your diet. H-E-B Registered Dietitian, Lorena Kaplen will highlight which plant-based proteins you can easily find and offer protein-packed solutions for you to prepare tonight!

Speaker: Lorena Asebedo Kaplen, RD, LD, H-E-B Registered Dietician

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm

Many women know that the hormones in birth control make them feel differently, but can’t pinpoint what it is. Join this session to understand exactly what those hormones are doing and how they are affecting us. From your choice of partner and your levels of sexual desire to your stress response levels and mental health, Dr. Sarah Hill has researched the unintended consequences of birth control and will share her findings. This is not an anti-birth control session, rather a pro-woman session that will give you the information you need to make informed choices about birth control.

Speaker: Dr. Sarah Hill, author This Is Your Brain On Birth Control and professor, Texas Christian University

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

We all know by now the importance of adding protein to your diet. But, what many of us don’t know is how to do that without adding more meat to our meals. Join this session to learn how plant-based diets have grown in popularity and how you can easily add these foods to your diet. H-E-B Registered Dietitian, Lorena Kaplen will highlight which plant-based proteins you can easily find and offer protein-packed solutions for you to prepare tonight!

Speaker:  Lorena Asebedo Kaplen, RD, LD, H-E-B Registered Dietician

3:45 – 4:15pm

Are you tired of being told that your labs are all “normal”, but you still feel off and not like your best self?  This may be your hormones. Many conditions such as PMS, menopause, irregular menses, thyroid disorders, and fatigue can be helped by resolving other issues with your body. Dr. Shelly Sethi has studied how conditions such as inflammation and gut health can send your hormones off balance and cause a domino effect of issues. Join this session to learn more about what to look out for so you can get your energy and vitality back!

Speaker: Shelly Sethi, MD, Integrative and Functional Medicine Physician and author, Built to Thrive

4:00 – 5:00pm 

Have you been wanting to try an intense bootcamp-style workout, but can never carve out the time? Here’s your opportunity and we are upping the ante by adding in the coach of your dreams. Join track and field World Champion Marion Jones, for a fun and energetic class.  All fitness levels, all ages welcome for this total body workout. Come ready to sweat and have fun!

Instructor: Marion Jones, former track and field world champion

8:00 AM – 8:20 AM:  Get Organized

Speaker: Jane Stoller, business and life expert organizer
Studies show that decluttering and being organized can not only reduce stress, but provides peace of mind and improves your mood. In this session, organizing expert Jane Stoller will share her quick tips for bringing some order to the chaos. You’ll learn not only how to get organized, but strategies for staying organized so that you can lead a happier and healthier life. SPEAKER: Jane Stoller, business and life expert organizer

12:35 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.:   Eating Well Mediterranean Style

Speaker:  Lorena Asebedo Kaplen, RD, LD, registered dietician, HEB   
The Mediterranean diet is often touted as one of the healthiest diets in the world.  With a demonstrated decreased risk of heart disease, reduction of bad cholesterol and studied lowering of cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, it is a style of eating that is definitely worth exploring. This session will explore the key components, the flavor profiles involved and show how to create a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm:  ENCORE: Eating Well Mediterranean Style

Speaker:  Lorena Asebedo Kaplen, RD, LD, registered dietician, HEB
The Mediterranean diet is often touted as one of the healthiest diets in the world.  With a demonstrated decreased risk of heart disease, reduction of bad cholesterol and studied lowering of cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, it is a style of eating that is definitely worth exploring. This session will explore the key components, the flavor profiles involved and show how to create a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm: Better Skin from the Inside Out

Speaker: Dr. Rajani Katta, dermatologist
Research now proves what many of us have long recognized: what you eat impacts your skin. In this session, dermatologist and author Dr. Rajani Katta describes how the right foods and nutrients can fight the processes that lead to premature skin aging. You’ll learn how herbs, spices, power fats, probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidant-rich foods all work to promote youthful, glowing skin.

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Mindfulness & Meditation

Speaker: Kristi Grosse, instructor, Yoga Pod Austin
We know that meditation creates a feeling of calm, but research shows a vast number of other benefits from improving immune function and boosting antibodies to increasing both our ability to be creative and our overall level of happiness.  Taking time out of our day to meditate is a goal for many, but is very often hard to attain. This session will show you the practical applications of meditation to your own busy lifestyle. Participants will be provided with strategies for how to live a more mindful life in both theory and practice, and will gain a new perspective on techniques to proactively incorporate meditation into our lives.

At the Luncheon Keynote session, refer to your printed badge for your table assignment.

Opening Keynote Lineup coming soon!

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am

Navigating life isn’t easy, but theSkimm founders, Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin make it a lot more fun. This fireside chat will deliver the Skimm’s trademark mix of real talk, humor, and inspirational messaging to take all of the daunting, cumbersome and frankly unsexy parts of being an adult, and break them down in the same way they break down a complicated news story every morning in our inbox. 

Join this session to learn how to navigate the noteworthy moments in your lives, not just your days. Attendees will leave armed with advice, information and hacks to help you make the most informed life and career decisions. 

Speakers: Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin, co-founders and co-CEOs, theSkimm

Moderator: Erica Williams Simon, author, You Deserve the Truth

Emcee: Heather Crowder, general tax officer, Phillips 66

LEADERSHIP: Designed for a seasoned or aspiring leader looking to climb the ladder and break barriers.

Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am

If you take on a leadership role, you are almost certain to face obstacles—maybe even opposition. But skillfully meeting these challenges can become defining moments in your journey to success. In this powerful session, influential leaders on the frontlines will share how they have succeeded in courageously driving change in the midst of big challenges. You will learn strategies for how to stand up for yourself; positively gain traction with others, including bosses; and ultimately break barriers—whatever the pushback and bumps you face along the way. Plan to walk away inspired by these powerhouse women—and ready to inspire others yourself.

Thought Leader: Alison Beard, co-host, Dear HBR and HBR Ideacast

Panelists:

⚬ Jessica Herrin, founder, Stella & Dot
⚬  Samantha “Sam” Rapoport, director, football development, NFL and former football player
⚬ Erika Lanciault, SVP iNext project manager, Broadway Bank

Emcee: Tamara Fields, managing director, Accenture Austin

TRANSITIONS: Offering expertise for maneuvering career and life transitions
Session I: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Even in 2019, we continue to grapple with the negative perception of women’s “niceness” in the business world. If women are nice, they are seen as weak and ineffective. But if they are tough, they are labeled a bitch. This is the perfect session for women trying to navigate the complexity of relationships at work while staying kind and respectful. This session will explore how women can reclaim “nice” and sidestep regressive stereotypes about what a strong leader looks like.  Sharing her time-tested strategies, Fran Hauser will prove that women don’t have to sacrifice their values or hide their authentic personalities to be successful. Together, we will explore how to:

• • Balance being empathetic and decisive
  • Ask for what you want without feeling badly
  • Become a boss who is not feared but respected
  • Lead with kindness, empathy, humanity and STRENGTH.

Speaker: Fran Hauser, media executive, startup investor, and author, The Myth of the Nice Girl

Emcee: Catherine Davie, VP, brand strategy, LegalZoom

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS: Designed for early career professional women entering or re-entering the workforce.
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am

Being an entrepreneur isn’t just about starting a business. It’s about being a pioneer and thought leader. And, your next innovative idea could lead to breakthroughs—maybe even change the world. So, what’s holding you back? Whether you are in startup mode or looking to generate that next big idea within your current organization, this session will help you explore the essential skills, characteristics and habits to help foster your inner entrepreneur. From corporate professionals to business owners, this interactive panel will share their firsthand experiences to help you with idea generation and scalability. They will also offer strategies to help you navigate the obstacles that have kept that audacious idea of yours from becoming a reality.

          Thought Leader: Carolyn Rodz, founder, Hello Alice

Panelists:

⚬ Julia Cheek, founder, EverlyWell

⚬ Amber Allen, founder, Double A Labs

⚬ Janice Omadeke, founder, The Mentor Method

          Emcee: Shelley Gretlein, VP, global marketing, National Instruments

TRANSITIONS: Offering expertise for maneuvering career and life transitions
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am

Are you negotiating to the best of your ability? No matter what industry you are in, knowing how to negotiate is an essential skill for communicating your value and advancing your career. Whether you are negotiating on behalf of yourself or others, this session will cover how to prepare for a negotiation, present yourself effectively, and respond to pushback. A panel of experts will provide you with important talking points and insights to consider before your next business negotiation.

Thought Leader: Michelle Duguid, professor of management, Cornell University

Panelists:
⚬ Amy Gallo, author, HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict

⚬  Linda Raynier, career strategist and pay equity expert

⚬  Meg Murphy, CMO, IBM Systems

          Emcee: Lori Knowlton, SVP & chief people officer, Silicon Labs

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am

We know from history that nothing gets accomplished unless someone speaks up. But being the person to do that can be hard, especially when women are more frequently interrupted than men. In this session, communications expert Charmaine McClarie will provide real world examples from her own experience of speaking up, and will interview a panel of experts about some of today’s most effective communication strategies.  Plan to leave with the skills to use your voice with confidence and “get loud” so that nothing stands in your way.

Thought Leader: Charmaine McClarie, author, career maker, C-suite advisor, and keynote speaker

Panelists:
⚬  Veronica Rueckert, author, Outspoken
⚬  Dena Blizzard, comedian and founder, Ladies OUT LOUD
⚬  Christi Marrufo, managing director, Applied Materials

Emcee: Traci Uribe, director, underwriting research, USAA

CAREER ADVANCEMENT: Designed for the mid/senior level professional with significant experience looking for advice around professional skills and job advancement
Session I: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Ego-driven behaviors are the #1 source of drama in workplaces today, generating huge amounts of emotional waste. Some people thrive on the drama and toxicity; but for most of us, this is an unwanted distraction. How do we eliminate the big egos and frenzy from our organizations? Leadership expert Cy Wakeman will show you how to ditch the drama so you can be responsible for your own success and learn to love your job again.She will provide you with the tips and tools for cultivating accountability so you can help drive results and restore sanity to the workplace.

Speaker: Cy Wakeman, president and founder, Reality Based Leadership and best-selling author

Emcee: Kathleen Sallade, group VP, NA Tech Sales Development, Oracle

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am

People tend to come up with their own perceptions about who you are, what you’re good at—and, quite likely, what you’re not good at. They “brand” you in their own minds, which means your brand is created by default, rather than by intentional design. Why let others define your reputation? Join this session to explore how to brand or rebrand yourself. Experts will share their personal experiences to help you reassess your brand –in person and online— so that your brand reflects who you are, not who others want you to be.

Thought Leader: Lida Citroën, reputation management and personal branding expert and author, Reputation 360: Creating Power through Personal Branding

Panelists:
⚬  Simidele Adeagbo, Olympian and marketing expert

⚬  Marissa Tarleton, CMO, RetailMeNot

⚬  Yai Vargas, branding, career and diversity strategist

Emcee: Melinda Franklin, managing director, corporate & government affairs, United Airlines, Inc.

Simidele Adeagbo

Lida Citroën 

Amy Gallo

Fran Hauser

Jessica Herrin

Veronica Rueckert

Erica Williams Simon

Cy Wakeman

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Are you thorough, efficient and conscientious about every detail of life both at home and work? Do you set high goals and work hard to achieve them? Welcome to the Type A Club! You have many positive traits that are great for impressing the boss. But, as you probably know, they can also impede your personal happiness and sense of self-worth. The good news is there are many tricks and tips that can help us perfectionists find more contentment, even amid imperfection. Join this session to learn strategies for building resilience when times get tough so you can be happier without having to do everything right.

Thought Leader: Mary Laura Philpott, author, I Miss You When I Blink

Panelists:

• • Emilie Aries, nationally recognized writer, author and founder, Bossed Up
  • Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler, assistant professor, Northwestern University
  • Kathryn Sanders, managing director and resources lead, SW, Accenture

          Emcee: Amber Armstrong, CMO, IBM Internet of Things (IoT)

CAREER ADVANCEMENT: Designed for the mid/senior level professional with significant experience looking for advice around professional skills and job advancement
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

No matter how successful you are, pivoting to a new career in the second half of life can present some uphill battles. With the reality of ageism and bias in the workplace, trying to rebrand yourself in a new field may feel overwhelming. Whether you want to change careers, find new purpose, have hit a mid-career stopping point or have opted out and now want to opt back in, you can find a new career that offers joy and impact. This panel of experts will share the skills you need to showcase, how to position yourself for success in your transition, and ways to connect with younger colleagues to find happiness in your encore career.

Thought Leader: Susan Rietano Davey, career re-entry expert and founder, Prepare to Launch

Panelists:

• Linda Glass, career strategist and CEO, Glass Talent
• Karen Chong, director of audience engagement, AARP
• Catherine Bannister, managing director & global director for technology fluency & ethics, Deloitte Consulting

Emcee: L. Michelle Smith, Mary Kay

LEADERSHIP: Designed for a seasoned or aspiring leader looking to climb the ladder and break barriers.

Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

We all have blind spots: hidden unconscious biases that can influence the culture of our organizations and the career trajectories of all its employees. But when we learn how to identify these blind spots, we have the power to make change. Sharing best practices and lessons learned from their first-hand experiences, diversity consultant Tiffany Jana and this panel of experts will examine what helps break down these biases, and what all of us can do right now to create systems in which all people can thrive. You will walk away with concrete strategies to tackle structural bias—both individually and organizationally.

Thought Leader: Tiffany Jana, author, Overcoming Bias and Erasing Institutional Bias

Panelists: 

• • Jennifer Brown, author, How to Be an Inclusive Leader
  • Michelle Duguid, Professor of Management, Cornell University
  • John Byrne, president, North America commercial sales, Dell Technologies

Emcee: Debbie McClure, senior director, Americas service provider mid-market sales, Cisco

CAREER ADVANCEMENT: Designed for the mid/senior level professional with significant experience looking for advice around professional skills and job advancement
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

When men use their power to advocate for women and support the creation of an equitable organization, everyone wins. But how do you inspire a male colleague or boss to be your ally in removing the barriers to your success? Join workplace gender expert Brad Johnson and a panel of men and women who are working on the forefront of this issue for an enlightening discussion about overcoming reluctance to allyship and identifying the actions allies can take to support your career.

Thought Leader: W. Brad Johnson, professor of psychology, U.S. Naval Academy, faculty associate, Johns Hopkins University and co-author, Athena Rising

Panelists:

• • Rachana Bhide, Bloomberg Radio News and founder, The Corner of the Court Project
  • Michael Chamberlain, VP, strategic partnerships, Catalyst
    
  • Tony Colon, Vice President, customer experience portfolio product development, Cisco

Emcee: Richard Lopez, director, diversity & inclusion, Dell

CAREER ADVANCEMENT: Designed for the mid/senior level professional with significant experience looking for advice around professional skills and job advancement
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Diversity in the workplace has been proven to benefit people and organizations. But managing and communicating effectively across diverse teams can present some challenges. So, how do you harness the unique strengths of diverse team members who—especially due to generational differences—bring different styles and values to the workplace? In this session, Dr. Candace Steele Flippin, a leading researcher on generations in the workforce, and a panel of experts will share their insights into these different generations. Attend to learn clear strategies for communicating and team-building that will help you turn generational diversity into business success.

Thought Leader: Dr. Candace Steele Flippin, multigenerational workplace scholar and author, Generation Z in the Workplace and Millennials in the Workplace

Panelists:

• • Minda Harts, founder, Women of Color Equity Initiative and author, The Memo
  • Livio Perez, claims manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Julie O’Brien, SVP, marketing, Nutanix

Emcee: Julia Carreon, managing director, digital and fiduciary support services, Wells Fargo

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS: Designed for early career professional women entering or re-entering the workforce.
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Worry. Fear. Doubt. They can stifle a dream, hinder a relationship or bring your career to a halt. But while we often think fear is a challenge to overcome, what if it could be an ally on the path to unlocking our full potential? Author, speaker and artist Amber Rae urges us to “choose wonder” as we embrace discomfort. In this session, she will share a unique approach for understanding the hidden meaning in our emotions by dialoguing with them. She will help guide you to reframe your relationship with anxiety, fear, stress, imposter syndrome and envy. You will leave with strategies to be the best YOU at home and work.

Speaker: Amber Rae, author, Choose Wonder Over Worry

Emcee: Laysha Ward, EVP and chief external engagement officer, Target

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

What do we want from our money? Some of us look for independence and security, while others desire more choices and a better way of life. But all of us want to experience less stress around money. So, now that women have more money—and power—than ever before, how can we start making our money work for us? In this session, Today Show financial editor and bestselling author Jean Chatzky will share what she’s learned about living a financially robust life. She will also present her three-part plan for understanding your life in relationship to your finances. Expect to walk away armed with tactical solutions for getting paid what you deserve, making your money last, leaving a legacy—and, most importantly, feeling joyful while doing it.

Speaker: Jean Chatzky, author, Women with Money: The Judgement-Free Guide to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (and Yes, Rich) Life You Deserve

           Emcee: Michele Herron, SVP, strategy, marketing and SMB solutions, CyberSource & Authorize.Net

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Developing a strong network of mentors and advocates is critical to career success. These meaningful relationships will serve you throughout your career and can help you be a  valuable connection for others. A lot of hard work, networking and mentors helped FOX’s NFL reporter Laura Okmin break through the barriers in a male-dominated field and ultimately cover the biggest names on the biggest stages. Now, she’s paying it forward by helping to train, mentor and prepare the next generation of women with her new GALvanize program. Laura will help you understand who you need to meet, how to meet them and how to form lasting relationships (even if you’re an introvert!) Whether you are looking for success in a mentor-mentee program or growing your career by building meaningful relationships, she will share the best practices for creating the most successful two-sided relationship to ensure it is a win-win.

Speaker: Laura Okmin, Emmy award-winning sports reporter and founder, GALvanize

Emcee: Keri D’Angelis, manager, vendor operations. Liberty Mutual

Emilie Aries

Jennifer Brown

Jean Chatzky

Dr. Candace Steele Flippin

Dr. Tiffany Jana

Brad Johnson

Mary Laura Philpott

Amber Rae

Keynote Luncheon Lineup coming soon!

LEADERSHIP: Designed for a seasoned or aspiring leader looking to climb the ladder and break barriers.

Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm

When men use their power to advocate for women and support the creation of an equitable organization, everyone wins. But how do you inspire a male colleague or boss to be your ally in removing the barriers to your success? Join workplace gender expert Brad Johnson and a panel of men and women who are working on the forefront of this issue for an enlightening discussion about overcoming reluctance to allyship and identifying the actions allies can take to support your career.

Thought Leader: W. Brad Johnson, professor of psychology, U.S. Naval Academy, faculty associate, Johns Hopkins University and co-author, Athena Rising

Panelists:

⚬ Rachana Bhide, Bloomberg Radio News and founder, The Corner of the Court Project
⚬ Michael Chamberlain, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Catalyst
⚬ Ross Powell, VP, senior claims field manager & member, Men as Allies Council, Liberty Mutual Insurance

Emcee: Sharon Brogdon, director, diversity & inclusion, RetailMeNot

CAREER ADVANCEMENT: Designed for the mid/senior level professional with significant experience looking for advice around professional skills and job advancement
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Ego-driven behaviors are the #1 source of drama in workplaces today, generating huge amounts of emotional waste. Some people thrive on the drama and toxicity; but for most of us, this is an unwanted distraction. How do we eliminate the big egos and frenzy from our organizations? Leadership expert Cy Wakeman will show you how to ditch the drama so you can be responsible for your own success and learn to love your job again.She will provide you with the tips and tools for cultivating accountability so you can help drive results and restore sanity to the workplace.

Speaker: Cy Wakeman, president and founder, Reality Based Leadership and best-selling author

Emcee: Jane Gadaska, change management lead, Phillips 66

LEADERSHIP: Designed for a seasoned or aspiring leader looking to climb the ladder and shatter the glass ceiling
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm

We all have blind spots: hidden unconscious biases that can influence the culture of our organizations and the career trajectories of all its employees. But when we learn how to identify these blind spots, we have the power to make change. Sharing best practices and lessons learned from their first-hand experiences, diversity consultant Tiffany Jana and this panel of experts will examine what helps break down these biases, and what all of us can do right now to create systems in which all people can thrive. You will walk away with concrete strategies to tackle structural bias—both individually and organizationally.

Thought Leader: Tiffany Jana, author, Overcoming Bias and Erasing Institutional Bias

Panelists: 

• • Jennifer Brown, author, How to Be an Inclusive Leader
  • Minda Harts, founder, Women of Color Equity Initiative and author, The Memo
  • Mary Bui-Pham, chief of staff, PMO, Indeed

          Emcee: Jenifer S. Brooks, GLG’s Chief Marketing Officer,  GLG

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS: Designed for early career professional women entering or re-entering the workforce.
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Worry. Fear. Doubt. They can stifle a dream, hinder a relationship or bring your career to a halt. But while we often think fear is a challenge to overcome, what if it could be an ally on the path to unlocking our full potential? Author, speaker and artist Amber Rae urges us to “choose wonder” as we embrace discomfort. In this session, she will share a unique approach for understanding the hidden meaning in our emotions by dialoguing with them. She will help guide you to reframe your relationship with anxiety, fear, stress, imposter syndrome and envy. You will leave with strategies to be the best YOU at home and work.

Speaker: Amber Rae, author, Choose Wonder Over Worry

Emcee: Megan Haddock, CEO C&S Health Plan, OK, UnitedHealthcare

TRANSITIONS: Offering expertise for maneuvering career and life transitions
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Even in 2019, we continue to grapple with the negative perception of women’s “niceness” in the business world. If women are nice, they are seen as weak and ineffective. But if they are tough, they are labeled a bitch. This is the perfect session for women trying to navigate the complexity of relationships at work while staying kind and respectful. This session will explore how women can reclaim “nice” and sidestep regressive stereotypes about what a strong leader looks like.  Sharing her time-tested strategies, Fran Hauser will prove that women don’t have to sacrifice their values or hide their authentic personalities to be successful. Together, we will explore how to:

• • Balance being empathetic and decisive
  • Ask for what you want without feeling badly
  • Become a boss who is not feared but respected
  • Lead with kindness, empathy, humanity and STRENGTH.

Speaker: Fran Hauser, media executive, startup investor, and author, The Myth of the Nice Girl

           Emcee: Louise Allen, SVP, product  management and product marketing, Planview

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session III: 3:00 pm – 4:00pm

Effective communication is about more than just words and phrases. It’s a projection of your competence and even your potential as a leader. Great communicators can voice their vision confidently, move plans and projects forward, and present their ideas across all levels of an organization. Join this workshop for actionable steps to develop your own communication style. Learn about speaking with clarity and confidence so that your ideas are heard, your value is clear, and your opinions are remembered.

Speaker: Charmaine McClarie, author, career maker, C-suite advisor, and keynote speaker

Emcee: Rhonda McGown, EVP, chief strategy officer, Broadway Bank

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm

What do we want from our money? Some of us look for independence and security, while others desire more choices and a better way of life. But all of us want to experience less stress around money. So, now that women have more money—and power—than ever before, how can we start making our money work for us? In this session, Today Show financial editor and bestselling author Jean Chatzky will share what she’s learned about living a financially robust life. She will also present her three-part plan for understanding your life in relationship to your finances. Expect to walk away armed with tactical solutions for getting paid what you deserve, making your money last, leaving a legacy—and, most importantly, feeling joyful while doing it.

Speaker: Jean Chatzky, author, Women with Money: The Judgement-Free Guide to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (and Yes, Rich) Life You Deserve

Emcee: Claudia Lee, senior director, partner marketing, Nutanix

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm

We all want to work with people who are polite, considerate and kind. But it’s possible to be too nice: failing to disagree when it’s important to do so, or holding back from surfacing new ideas and innovations. Healthy, constructive conflicts are an essential part of producing good work; yet many people don’t have the skills to disagree in a professional, productive way. In this session, Amy Gallo combines management research and practical insights to provide straightforward advice on how to navigate difficult conversations so you can develop collaborative resolutions and be more effective at work.  Attendees will learn how to:

• • Recognize whether you and others tend to seek or avoid conflict
  • Assess your options for addressing a disagreement and knowing when to walk away
  • Manage your emotions
  • Prepare for and engage in difficult conversations.

Speaker: Amy Gallo, author, HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict

Emcee: Laysha Ward, EVP and chief external engagement officer, Target

How do you know your idea is more than just an idea? In this session, Maryanne Lee, Director of Experience Strategy at LegalZoom, will share how to quickly gather feedback from potential customers to surface ideas for products and services that can catalyze the start of your own business.  Attendees will learn the best methods for gathering feedback and how this information can then be used to choose your business’ direction. Come prepared with your questions so you can make your idea a reality!

Speaker: Maryanne Lee, director, experience strategy, LegalZoom

Launching a business offers many challenges, but raising capital can often be the most daunting and intimidating challenge of all. It can make the difference between your idea taking off, or never going anywhere.  Laurie Logue is in the business of helping entrepreneurs get off the ground and will share how small business owners can identify different sources of funding to find the one that is most compatible with their business’ needs, and then go out and make it happen. 

Speaker: Laurie Logue, EVP, Austin market, Broadway Bank

A well-designed brand can change a business – increasing your sales and your subsequent bottom line. But, this well-planned brand can also profoundly transform other aspects beyond your sales. Brand strategist Valentina Gomez Bravo will share how your brand is your guide to understanding your key business objectives and enables you to make decisions that align with those goals. She will show how it can help you streamline your messages, identify your audience and unify your messaging so your brand is not just known to your customers, but is ingrained in every business decision you make.

Speaker: Valentina Gomez Bravo, brand strategist 

Corporate board seats are scarce and competition is fierce. In this session, Jill Griffin, who is passionate about ending gender inequity in boardrooms, will equip you with the action steps that will help find and win you the ideal seat. She will share the proven ways to build your board brand, why a corporate board seat is professional “gold” and simple steps to research the board that’s right for you. Leave this session with an actionably strategy for positioning yourself for a new board seat.

Speaker: Jill Griffin, author, Earn Your Seat on a Corporate Board

As a business owner, sales is your oxygen –  you must sell your vision, passion, and solutions to investors and prospects in order to succeed. And while some may think of it as an art, there is an absolute science behind the sale. In this session, Rana Salman will share her best practices for communicating with prospects to lead to a sale. Attendees will learn how to find prospects using tools like LinkedIn, capturing their attention to land that sales appointment/call and preparing and conducting a relevant sales conversation that progresses the sale.

Speaker: Rana Salman, Ph.D., CEO, Salman Consulting

Businesses don’t plan to fail; they just fail to plan. For an aspiring entrepreneur, determining if you have a viable business idea, managing the many bumps you will encounter along the way and creating a plan for the business’ success are all key steps that will help you avoid being derailed. Veronica Garza, who brought to life her concept of tasty gluten-free tortillas, has lived through this process and will share those start-up steps, help you avoid common mistakes, identify your customers, understand your financing needs, and decide where and how you will operate. 

Speaker: Veronica Garza, co-founder, Siete Family Foods

Women helping women is always important – especially in the tech workplace. Starting a formal women’s group within your organization allows for a diverse, supportive environment where different voices are heard.  Getting it off the ground can be a challenge, but the benefits are endless – mentorship, sponsorship, inclusivity Join this roundtable discussion to learn how Beth Weeks created a group that fosters personal growth, addresses real issues, and provides a platform for women to support each other along the way.

Speaker: Beth Weeks, CIO, Planview

Most of us know LinkedIn as an employment service, but what if you knew how to maximize it to be so much more?  LinkedIn can be used to manage your professional identity and engage with your network, but did you also know it could be used to establish your brand, sell a service, meet your next employer or even client?  Yai Vargas, founder & CEO of The Latinista and known as The LinkedIn Ninja, can help you translate your creative, dynamic or strategic personality into actual business results. Come learn how she has built a powerful network and the one strategy she recommends to secure success on this platform.

Speaker: Yai Vargas, branding, career and diversity strategist

Being a leader in the tech industry does not require having a certain title.  You can lead at any stage in your career, no matter your level. Leadership is about trust, authenticity and having a vision that inspires others. In this session, Vianney Gonzales will describe the specific ways you can lead in this male-dominated industry, some of the pitfalls you may encounter and will demonstrate how leadership need not start or stop at any one point in your career. It can be an ongoing journey and challenge.  Join this session to learn how to improve your leadership IQ and understand the common challenges that may derail your career goals so that you can continue on your upward trajectory.  

Speaker: Vianney Gonzales, quality manager, strategic planning and quality, Tokyo Electron America

Social video is becoming an essential, non-negotiable tool for us to connect with our audiences and customers as creatives, bloggers, and businesses. In this session, Hot Dog Marketing CEO Jessica Scanlon will teach you how social video can help your brand, blog or business (no matter the size of your budget!), which platforms are right for you, and the tools and strategies needed to create effective video.

Speaker: Jessica Scanlon, managing director, Top Dog Marketing

Building a strong brand on social media means not just producing memorable content, but also connecting with your audience.  With more than 20 years of experience with creative direction and brand management, Joanna Holden will share her strategies for building an online brand that lasts. She will share how to create a brand that connects with people, inspires an audience and converts your customers.

Speaker: Joanna Holden, brand strategist

You may already know that Instagram is important for your business, but may be unsure why or how to create great visual content that resonates with your audience.  In this session, Instagram guru Alexis Davis will share the ins and outs of Instagram, how to better engage with your followers, and how to use the major features Instagram has to offer, such as stories and IGTV. Attendees will also learn about the tools creatives and marketers use to simplify their planning process, how to work with influencers, and how to take advantage of the best user-generated content. Come prepared with your Instagram account up and ready to go!

Speaker: Alexis Davis, founder, The Content Plug

Experiential marketing, also referred to as “engagement marketing” has the ability to take your marketing strategy to a whole new level. But, who should be using it? And how? Double A Labs founder and experiential marketing guru Amber Allen will share her insights into how to use these tools to benefit your small business. Attendees will learn how to entice their audiences to more closely engage with your company and what types of branding materials can help get the job done.

Speaker: Amber Allen, founder, Double A Labs

You know your story, but how do you communicate well it to your audience? In this session, attendees will learn about storytelling structure, the keys to effective storytelling and how to structure and tell their stories to grow their businesses. Creative strategist Liz Fezor will outline the steps to crafting effective stories and how your story should differ when sharing it online vs. delivering it in a live conversation. Come ready to share your story!

Speaker: Liz Feezor, writer & creative strategist

Jennifer Brown

Jean Chatzky

Amy Gallo

Fran Hauser

Dr. Sarah Hill

Dr. Tiffany Jana

Brad Johnson

Amber Rae

Cy Wakeman

Jill Griffin

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