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Pow(H)er 2025 Sessions

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Confidence is Not Rocket Science: Breakfast Kickoff

8:30 to 10:30

Location
Main Ballroom
Speakers
  • Maureen Zappala
    Maureen Zappala, a former NASA propulsion engineer (aka, "rocket scientist!") and founder of High Altitude Strategies, is an award winning speaker, author and presentation skills coach. She works with high-performers to overcome the secret self-doubt of Impostor Syndrome so they can match their confidence to competence and have more influence. She lived in Cleveland for over 36 years before moving to Las Vegas Nevada in August 2019.
Summary
People see you as skilled and competent. Yet you think to yourself “They think I’m smarter than I really am! I feel like a fraud!” It’s Impostor Syndrome: the persistent feeling of not measuring up to your own resume. This chronic self-doubt hits people in every industry, at every level. But there’s help! You can silence that impostor voice so you can fearlessly move ahead without feeling like a fraud. Be released from the clench of the counterfeit. In this program, attendees will: - Understand what Impostor Syndrome is and isn’t. - Learn 3 steps to turn their thoughts from pitiful to powerful. - Eliminate the “compare & despair” trap when around their peers. - Begin to match their confidence to their competence and unleash their influence.

Communicate to Elevate: Unblock What's Keeping You Stuck with the Power of Effective Communication

10:30 to 11:30

Location
Talcott
Speakers
  • Jenna Rogers - Founder and CEO of Career Civility
    Born out of the challenging corporate culture, Jenna Rogers, the Founder and CEO of Career Civility, is passionate about the people behind the bottom line. Career Civility is a communications consulting firm based in Chicago, IL, serving entry and mid-level corporate professionals around the U.S. It is Jenna’s mission to make the workplace better for the generation who comes after her. She helps her community and her clients communicate more effectively in the workplace, she creates conversation around the toxic culture and experiences of corporate and she specializes in communication training in the workplace.
Summary
In this workshop you will learn how to set boundaries, manage overwhelm, balance competing priorities, and communicate more effectively—including in email. Leave with practical strategies to use your voice with confidence and unlock greater career success.

Invest in Your Dreams: Create Your PowHer Board

10:30 to 11:30

Location
Munthe
Speakers
  • Tasha Wendorf
Summary
Turn your financial goals into a vision you can see, feel, and achieve. Join us for a creative session where you'll design your own PowHer board focused on dreams like travel, home ownership, philanthropy, or financial independence and discover simple steps to start making them happen today.

The Power of Community

10:30 to 11:30

Location
Nelson
Speakers
  • Mercedes Joyner - Chief Branding & Communications Officer & Founder with JMC Strategic Consulting
    Mercedes Joyner is an award-winning Chief Branding & Communications Officer, storyteller, and community builder dedicated to helping individuals, businesses, and organizations show up boldly and unapologetically in their purpose. With expertise spanning branding, communications, social media strategy, crisis management, and public relations, she blends powerful storytelling with impactful strategy to create influence and lasting impact. Mercedes has worked across government, politics, business, and nonprofit sectors, including serving as Communications Manager for State Representative Maurice West. She has partnered with political leaders, corporate organizations, grassroots initiatives, and small businesses to refine their messaging, expand their reach, and elevate their brands. As the founder of JMC Strategic Consulting, she leads a team committed to elevating clients through strategic branding, digital marketing, and media relations. Above all, Mercedes is fueled by a mission to inspire, equip, and empower—believing every story matters, every voice has power, and every brand can create change.
Summary
At the heart of every movement, mission, and message is one undeniable truth: community changes everything. In this dynamic and empowering session, Mercedes Joyner explores the transformative power of community—how it amplifies your purpose, strengthens your brand, and fuels your long-term impact. Drawing from her lived experience as an award-winning communications strategist, public speaker, and entrepreneur, Mercedes takes the audience on a powerful journey through connection, collaboration, and legacy-building. This session goes beyond surface-level networking to show how community can become your greatest tool for visibility, sustainability, and personal growth. Through compelling storytelling, audience engagement, and actionable insights, Mercedes breaks down the four pillars of a thriving community—Connection, Contribution, Collaboration, and Celebration—and offers real-world examples of how she's activated these principles in her own work with grassroots initiatives, government partnerships, and brand development. Attendees will be invited to reflect, connect with one another, and walk away with tangible strategies to build their own communities—with intention, vulnerability, and bold leadership. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, educator, creative, or community advocate, this session is your call to stop building alone and start building with power.

The Messy Middle: Luncheon

11:30 to 1:30

Location
Main Ballroom
Speakers
  • Sheila Hoffman - Mayor of Durand
  • Jennifer Furst - President
Summary
Women in Business Award Honorees are announced at the luncheon. Leadership today rarely feels linear — especially for women. We’re navigating shifting expectations, constant demands, and systems that don’t always make space for how we lead best. Yet, amid the noise, women across every sector are quietly moving things forward — solving problems, building teams, and leading through uncertainty with clarity and resolve. This conversation brings together women who are doing just that — leaders who have grown businesses, shaped organizations, and made tough calls in real time. Together, they’ll explore what it means to lead through the messy middle: when there’s no perfect playbook, but plenty of purpose.

Craft Your Elevator Pitch in 60 Minutes

1:30 to 2:30

Location
Talcott
Speakers
  • Emily Hartzog - President, Chartwell Agency
    Emily Hartzog is President of Chartwell Agency, a nationally recognized marketing firm, bringing more than 25 years of expertise in marketing strategy, brand development, strategic planning, professional development, and crisis communications. Emily leads multi-channel campaigns that elevate visibility, strengthen brand equity, and drive growth for clients across healthcare, education, finance, and more. A skilled facilitator and trainer, Emily guides strategic planning sessions and professional development programs that align teams, sharpen goals, and inspire action. Her contagious enthusiasm and practical expertise have made her a sought-after keynote speaker and industry presenter, delivering high-impact sessions at conferences and association events nationwide. Emily’s leadership and community impact have earned her accolades including Rockford’s 40 Under 40, 20 People You Should Know, and Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year from Rockford University.
Summary
A hands-on workshop for business leaders to create and perfect their professional story. Every business leader needs a compelling elevator pitch—whether you're networking at a conference, meeting potential partners, recruiting team members, or introducing yourself at a board meeting. In this 60-minute workshop, you'll walk away with a polished, authentic pitch that captures who you are and what you bring to the table. Using a proven framework, you'll craft your core message by identifying your unique value propositions, introducing proof points, and leveraging strategic storytelling techniques to make your pitch memorable.

What I Wish I Knew: Words from Woman Managers - experienced managers & first time managers

1:30 to 2:30

Location
Munthe

AI & Women in Leadership: Thriving in the Future of Work

1:30 to 2:30

Location
Nelson
Speakers
  • Tiffany Ingram - CEO
    Tiffany Ingram is the CEO of Luxe Link Business Solutions, a certified AI consultancy that helps organizations confidently integrate AI across the employee lifecycle. With over 15 years of global HR leadership experience—including serving as Global Director of Continuous Improvement for a Fortune 200 company—Tiffany has trained, advised, and guided executives through transformative change. A U.S. Army veteran and award-winning strategist, she brings a rare blend of discipline, innovation, and people-first leadership to every engagement. Tiffany is the creator of proprietary frameworks such as the P.A.C.E.™ Framework, the E.M.P.O.W.E.R.™ Leadership Principle, and the S.M.A.R.T. AI™ Integration Model, equipping leaders to unlock productivity, reduce turnover, and future-proof their businesses. Recognized with multiple MARCOM and AVA Digital Awards, Tiffany’s mission is clear: to empower leaders to embrace ethical AI adoption, drive equity, and build cultures where people and technology thrive together.
Summary
The future of leadership is being rewritten, and women are uniquely positioned to lead the way. In this session, Tiffany Ingram will reveal how AI can be leveraged as a powerful ally for women leaders—streamlining decision-making, amplifying influence, and creating space for innovation. Participants will learn practical strategies to harness AI without losing the human touch, uncover tools to navigate bias and compliance risks, and explore how to use AI to build more inclusive, resilient teams. This workshop equips women leaders to embrace AI with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Look Like the Leader You Are: Aligning Your Style with Your Influence

2:45 to 3:45

Location
Talcott
Speakers
  • Anisha Grimmett
Summary
This empowering and interactive session is designed for professionals, entrepreneurs, and rising leaders who are ready to elevate their presence and communicate confidence before they even speak. Inspired by insights from an Educational Business Summit on culture and talent development, this workshop challenges participants to reflect on how their visual presence aligns with their leadership impact. Attendees will explore the concept that style is not vanity—it’s strategy. Your wardrobe is a silent ambassador for your values, goals, and leadership potential. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging voice in your field, this workshop will help you own the room with intention.

Negotiating With Power - Asking for What You Want

2:45 to 3:45

Location
Munthe

LeadHER: Preparing Women for Office

2:45 to 3:45

Location
Nelson
Speakers
  • Dawn Granath
  • Christina Valdez
  • Nicole Bennett

Conference Closing Networking Session

3:45 to 4:00

Location
Main Ballroom
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