Conference Agenda

The assembly of speakers this year is amazing. We listened to your feedback and developed sessions on topics that are most relevant to you. Learn more about the various speakers attending as well as the topics on which they will discuss in their sessions below. Be sure to check back for updates and more info.

Please note that the agenda for this event is tentative. While we endeavor to keep the schedule as accurate as possible, unforeseen circumstances or necessary adjustments may require modifications to the agenda. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

October 1, 2024

Backstage Event

Location: Resch Expo

The Backstage Event hosted at the Resch Expo, is your exclusive opportunity for networking and inside access to the speakers of the Women’s Leadership Conference. This event will include: networking, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and a facilitated opportunity to grow your connections.

3:00 PM

Networking & Hors d'oeuvres

4:00 PM

Welcome & Keynote

Lisa Cruz

5:30 PM

Cocktail Reception

October 2, 2024

Conference

Location: Resch Expo

*Indicates main stage speaker — broadcast for virtual attendance. Schedule subject to change.

Quinn Conyers

Event Emcee

7:30 AM

Registration & Networking

8:30 AM

Welcome & Morning Keynote*

Michelle Curran
Flying Through Fear: How Vulnerability Fuels Success

In today’s world, we are constantly under pressure to hire the right people, create a cohesive team, and perform at a high level… to do more with less. However, true success hinges on each team member’s ability to be bold and expand their comfort zone.

LEARN MORE

10:00 AM

Networking Break

10:30 AM

Breakout Speakers

Shira Miller
Stop Apologizing When You Haven’t Done Anything Wrong

Ever notice how often women say they are sorry – even when there is nothing to apologize for? A study at the University of Waterloo in Canada found that women apologize more frequently than men while social scientists have noted that females are often raised to be people pleasers from a young age. It can be easy to slip into that habit of “apology speak” to diffuse tension or avoid being disliked. But there is a steep price to pay. When you constantly apologize for no reason or make self-deprecating comments to hide your awesomeness, it diminishes the value of a woman’s ideas and accomplishments, setting you back professionally and personally. Within this upbeat, effective session that Shira first covered in her popular TEDx talk, participants will learn how to stop making unnecessary apologies that aren’t doing you any favors.

SHIRA MILLER

Shira Miller is a two-time TEDx speaker, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, author of Free and Clear: Get Unstuck and Live the Life You Want, and currently serves as the Chief Communications Officer at a $3 billion corporation. Passionate about helping women get unstuck and activate their full potential, the popular Keynote and Breakout session speaker recently served as the Guest Expert Speaker at the world’s leading destination spa, Canyon Ranch Tucson, AZ.

Jenna Piche
5 Ways to Win Back 10 Hours a Week

Are you fed up with the overwhelming stress of constantly being pulled in a million different directions? Join Jenna as she shares firsthand lessons, practical tools, and valuable insights on overcoming the never-ending to-do list, getting more of the right things done in less time, and crushing your goals to achieve fulfillment in both your career and your life.

JENNA PICHE

Jenna Piche is a time management expert who teaches women how to prioritize high leverage work, get shit done and intentionally grow their business and their career without sacrificing their health or most important relationships. Her business, First Light Coaching, helps clients get clarity on their BIG goals, make meaningful progress in less time and repurpose what they save to align their schedule with their values.

Leah Jantzen
Igniting Your Inner Scrappiness: The Key to Unstoppable Ambition

Discover the transformative power of scrappiness in this dynamic session. Learn to harness your innate resourcefulness and resilience to fuel unstoppable ambition. Through engaging discussions and practical exercises, explore the art of creative problem-solving and adaptability in the face of challenges. Uncover the secrets to leveraging setbacks as stepping stones to success and cultivating a relentless drive to achieve your goals. Walk away with a renewed sense of determination, equipped with actionable strategies to infuse your journey with the unwavering spirit of scrappiness, ensuring that no obstacle can derail your path to success. In short, it does not have to be 'pretty' just 'gritty'!

LEAH JANTZEN

Leah Jantzen is tenacious mental performance coach, Ironman and ultramarathon finisher, and proud mom of 4. With a 'scrappy' spirit, she fearlessly sets audacious goals, inspiring audiences with her resilience and resourcefulness. A relentless advocate for never giving up, her journey through marathons and triathlons exemplifies the power of determination. A sought-after speaker, she ignites passion and perseverance in all who hear her story.

Mindy Lane
Invisible Bullies and Rising Above.

Let's shed some light on the often overlooked but pervasive challenges faced by women leaders - lateral bullying and the more covert upward bullying. Lateral bullying occurs when formidable women undermine equally strong female counterparts, hindering collective progress. This subtle form of aggression within the ranks demands attention for its detrimental impact on collaboration and unity. Additionally, the secret killer of upward bullying, executed through a covert mob mentality and often a series of grievances, poses a significant threat to woman leaders. Unmasking this hidden adversary is crucial for fostering a supportive environment that allows women to thrive in leadership roles. By addressing these issues head-on, we empower women to navigate and overcome challenges, fostering a culture of unity and empowerment across diverse disciplines.

MINDY LANE

Dr. Mindy Lane, a distinguished Bariatric Surgeon with a visionary 25-year career, has held many leadership roles such as the Chair of the Department of Surgery, the Operating Room Executive Committee, and Value transformation all at a level 1 trauma center. As past President of the Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, she led by example. A national-level dressage equestrian, Dr. Mindy Lane is no stranger to horsepower, and has guided thousands through empowering transformations. A mother of three, she advocates for shaping one's future by uncovering your own best self. Her inspiring trajectory reflects living bold, empowering the next generation of formidable women. Certified as a professional coach specializing in female leadership and a Certified Enneagram Practictioner, Dr. Mindy Lane employs these tools to guide individuals in their journey of self-discovery through coaching.

11:30 AM

Lunch

12:00 PM

Panel Discussion*

12:45 PM

Networking Break

1:15 PM

Breakout Speakers

Kim Eschenbauch
Embrace Your Strengths, Conquer Your Fears, and Lead with Impact!

Fear can be one of the greatest obstacles to your success and happiness. It can also be one of the most difficult to combat. It roots itself deep within you and changes your thoughts and actions. But fear does not have to write your story. It is simply an emotion — one that can be controlled to work for you. This comes from leveraging your strengths!

Leveraging your strengths allows you to excel at what you do best with less effort! In this interactive session, you'll not only understand the positive impact of your unique strengths, you will also discover how your strengths can propel you toward your goals and success! Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance in your career, this session will equip you with the tools to excel and make your mark in the world of leadership!

KIM ESCHENBAUCH

Meet Kim Eschenbauch, a Certified Mindfulness Practitioner and Certified Coach who has dedicated her career to helping individuals reach their full potential! As a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Kim leverages strength-based strategies to tap into individual’s motivations to overcome challenges and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives. Kim is a dynamic speaker, with a passion for sharing her knowledge and expertise with others!

Erin Conlon
Finding Freedom — Escaping the Prison of "Never Enough"

In this session we'll break down what a framework is, and take a deep dive into the Never Enough framework. From there, we'll explore how "Never Enough" impacts your every-day life. You'll get a clear picture on how everything — time, money, relationships, self-worth, confidence, parenting, etc. can all be dictated by this framework. Finally, we'll look at some ways to shift perspectives or get out of the Never Enough framework.

ERIN CONLON

Erin is an executive coach, founder of Aros, Inc., and non-practicing attorney. Erin works with executives, attorneys and leaders with impacts in many sectors — Legal, Healthcare, Consulting, Education, and Entertainment. Outside of work, you can find Erin with her dog, her family, traveling, gardening, and sometimes at a comedy show.

Sara Deacon
Drama Detox: Elevate Your Interactions

In her signature talk, "Drama Detox: Elevate Your Interactions," Sara enlightens, entertains and equips audiences with practical ways to transform conflict into cohesion. Eliminate misunderstandings, increase morale, improve productivity and reduce turnover before it affects your bottom line.

Your audience will leave inspired to challenge their own roles, prepared to hold each other accountable and armed with simple and effective strategies to turn down the drama around them.

PLUS, Sara will invite you to take the 21-Day Drama Detox Challenge as a way to put your learning into action and continue to improve communication in your professional and personal relationships!

SARA DEACON

Sara Deacon, The Adulting Coach, is an international speaker and communication consultant. Described as, “a ray of sunshine,” she elevates workplace environments, fostering self awareness, self leadership, reducing drama and resolving conflict. Bringing humor and fresh perspectives from her work with teens and young adults, Sara inspires confidence with her authenticity, discipline and integrity. Her expertise and intuitive, personable speaking style helps organizations address challenges and strengthen relational dynamics to create harmonious and productive organizations.

Amanda Jefferson
Put on Your Social Earmuffs: How to Quiet the Shoulds and Start Hearing Yourself

As a professional organizer, I've helped hundreds of people declutter their stuff. But it’s never about the stuff. It’s about relationships, loss, body image, and so much more. Buried in their homes are the “shoulds” — noisy, ingrained societal norms. I've seen what happens when people quit the “shoulds” and start to hear their own inner voice. Attendees will be challenged to consider how they might be listening to the “shoulds," and how they can start listening to their own voice TODAY.

AMANDA JEFFERSON

After 20 years of trying to keep up with the “shoulds,” Amanda left it all behind to help others learn how to listen to themselves. She's the owner of Indigo Organizing, the creator of the Organized Every Day™ online course, and one of the world's first KonMari consultants. A TEDx speaker and co-host of the Good Enough-Ish podcast, Amanda has been featured in Real Simple, Harpers Bazaar UK and Better Homes & Garden, among others.

2:15 PM

Networking Break

2:45 PM

Afternoon Keynote*

Kate Carter
Gentle is the New Strong: How Self-Compassion is Key to Building the Lives We Desire

This talk will help participants learn how to put what they have resonated with throughout the day into action in an empowered, compassionate, and self-loving way. I will use stories, humor, and audience engagement along with some key data to help participants access the wisdom they already know on some level.

Conference Agenda

October 1, 2024

Backstage Event

Location: Resch Expo

3:00 PM

Networking & Hors d'oeuvres

4:00 PM

Welcome & Keynote

5:30 PM

Cocktail Reception

October 2, 2024

Conference

Location: Resch Expo

7:30 AM

Registration & Networking

8:30 AM

Welcome & Morning Keynote*

10:00 AM

Networking Break

10:30 AM

Breakout Speakers

11:30 AM

Lunch

12:00 PM

Panel Discussion*

12:45 PM

Networking Break

1:15 PM

Breakout Speakers

2:15 PM

Networking Break

2:45 PM

Afternoon Keynote*

4:00 PM

I LOVE IT! List & Giveaways

Emcee: Mary Schmidt

4:30 PM

Cocktail Reception

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