Women's Leadership and Empowerment Conference

Presented by Farah Harris and Sarah Noll Wilson

Every woman carries stories about who she is, what she deserves, what she's capable of, and where she belongs. Some of those stories empower us. Others limit us.

The challenge is that many of these narratives operate beneath our awareness. They influence how we lead, advocate for ourselves, navigate setbacks, and pursue opportunities long before we consciously recognize them.

In this powerful and engaging keynote, executive coaches and leadership experts Farah Harris and Sarah Noll Wilson explore the connection between emotional intelligence and the stories we tell ourselves. Drawing from their personal journeys, professional expertise, and lessons learned from working with thousands of people, they invite participants to examine the narratives that have shaped their lives and consider which stories are ready to be rewritten.

Through research, reflection, and practical insights, attendees will discover how greater emotional awareness can help them move beyond self-limiting beliefs, navigate uncertainty with greater confidence, and intentionally author the next chapter of their lives.

Participants will explore:

• How emotions influence the stories we create about ourselves and our experiences
• The role of self-awareness in recognizing limiting narratives
• Common traps that keep women stuck in outdated versions of their story
• Emotional agility practices for navigating change, setbacks, and growth
• Reflection tools for identifying the story they want to live into next

Presented by Dr. Celina Peerman

Your voice is more than the words you speak. It is your values, your story, your boundaries, your dreams and more. Whether you've been quieted by fear, life experiences, or the expectations of others, this session offers space to reconnect with who you are and what matters most. Through reflection, conversation, and practical exercises, you'll begin finding the courage to speak with greater confidence, authenticity, and purpose. From the co-founders of Beautifully Over It, we'll explore these in this session in ways that you feel ready for.

Presented by Katrina Helle

Build a stronger foundation for your financial future. In this session, you'll learn how to avoid common investing mistakes, explore strategies to help you reach your long-term financial goals, and discover steps you can take today to prepare for retirement.

Presented by Katrina Helle

Retirement is about more than finances. In this session, you'll explore the four pillars of a fulfilling retirement—health, family, purpose, and finances. You'll leave with practical insights to help you evaluate your goals, navigate potential challenges, and make decisions today that can improve your quality of life in retirement.

Presented by Kara Hinzie

In a world that often rewards overcommitting, over-functioning, and putting everyone else first, many women find themselves exhausted, disconnected, and unsure how to prioritize their own needs without guilt. Or find themselves doing the opposite; retreating, disengaging, and becoming more isolated.

This breakout session includes relatable storytelling, nervous system education, self-reflection, and practical coping tools. Participants will learn how survival responses impact mental health and overall well-being and will leave with simple, realistic strategies to reconnect with the one who needs them the most: themselves.

Interactive elements throughout the session include:

• Real-time audience polling and self-reflection
• "People Pleaser Bingo" group activity
• Guided self-assessment and values/alignment activity
• Interactive coping skills and stress cycle completion exercises

This session is designed to be relatable, empowering, and approachable for women in all stages of leadership; at work, at home, and within their communities.

Presented by Megan Thole

Presented by John Kramer

Presented by Heather Woody

Every meaningful leadership story contains unexpected challenges, disappointments, and setbacks. Often the moments we would never have chosen become the moments that shape us most. This session explores how adversity can become a source of wisdom, strength, and leadership impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Reframing setbacks as leadership development
• Finding purpose in difficult chapters
• Leading others through uncertainty

Presented by Dr. Celina Peerman

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we work, learn, communicate, and make decisions. If women are not actively participating in the development and use of AI, others will shape the future without their perspectives and experiences.

Join organizational psychologist Dr. Celina Peerman for a practical and encouraging conversation about why AI literacy matters, how AI is already affecting the workplace, and simple ways to begin using these tools with confidence.

No technical background required, just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Presented by Scott Hagberg

Artificial intelligence is often discussed in abstract, technical terms, yet some of the most practical and confident adoption is already happening in everyday life, led by women who approach AI without fear, ego, or rigid assumptions about what work is "supposed" to look like.

In this session, Scott Hagberg shares personal stories drawn from the women in his life, including his wife Nicole and their six-year-old Oaklynn, to illustrate how women naturally integrate AI into their daily thinking and problem-solving. Through curiosity, shared learning, and psychological safety, they demonstrate how AI quickly becomes a trusted assistant, not a threat or a test, simply by being used as a partner rather than something to be mastered.

Designed for women leaders and professionals, this session offers a human-centered, grounded perspective on AI. Attendees will leave with a reimagined view of their work, greater confidence in using AI practically, and reassurance that they do not need to become technical experts to lead effectively in an AI-enabled future.

Presented by Farah Harris and Sarah Noll Wilson

Most women can identify someone who helped them become who they are today—a mentor who believed in them, a colleague who opened a door, a friend who reminded them of their worth when they forgot.

Yet meaningful support doesn't happen by accident.

As best-selling authors and business owners, Sarah Noll Wilson and Farah Harris experienced firsthand the power of having someone walk beside them through the vulnerable process of writing and publishing a book. Through moments of doubt, celebration, challenge, and growth, they learned that championing another person's story requires more than encouragement—it requires intention.

In this interactive session, participants will explore what it means to be a true advocate for other women. Together, they'll examine the ways we unintentionally undermine or compete with one another, the barriers that make support difficult, and the practical behaviors that help others feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to create the kinds of relationships, communities, and cultures where more women can thrive.

Participants will explore:

• Common behaviors that unintentionally undermine support among women
• How emotional intelligence strengthens our ability to support others effectively
• Practical ways to advocate for, amplify, and create opportunities for others
• What meaningful support looks like during moments of uncertainty, growth, and transition
• How to become a person who helps others step more fully into their own story