Schedule

Friday, March 7, 2025

In-person or Online
The Pfister Hotel, downtown Milwaukee, or Virtually

Registration will open on November 12, 2024: $395.

Early Bird Discount available until January 14, 2025: $375

9:15-10:15am - Morning Keynote: Leadership Lessons from the Highest-Ranking Woman in Naval History – Admiral Michelle Howard

10:30-11:15am - Breakout Session 1: Ignite Your Passion

Healthy Conflict, Inclusion and Innovation

Diana Pastrana, Founder, Defyne LLC, Defyne LLC

Embark on a journey of self-discovery and conflict transformation. Learn how embracing inclusion in conflict can spark innovation and enhance collaboration. Discover practical strategies to turn disagreements into opportunities for growth and connection. Join us to unlock the potential of diverse perspectives and create positive outcomes together!

AI Overview: Readiness, Use Cases and Battling Fatigue

Kelly Grosskreutz, Modern Workplace Practice Manager, Heartland Business Systems

Join this session to have a non-technical discussion about what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is and how you can prepare for it. Additionally, we will explore some real-life AI use cases and close our session with some readiness tips and tricks, along with how you can combat AI fatigue to get to a place where you can harness its power to suit your business needs.

Workplace Culture and Mental Wellness Panel

Dr. Lia Knox, Knox Behavioral Health Solutions [Moderator]; Dr. Ashley Smith, Psychologist, Author, and Co-founder of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength, Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength; Bill Jackson, Sr. Human Resources Partner, Xylem; Gabriela Reid, Residence Life Coordinator II, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee

In today’s fast-paced workplace, creating a culture of wellness is more important than ever. This session will explore approaches to wellness that emphasize both personal care and the care of your team. Learn more about the critical role leaders play in creating spaces where people feel supported and heard. Panelists will discuss strategies to build resilience, offer meaningful support, and nurture healthier workplaces. This session will empower you to rethink wellness and take steps toward a work culture that prioritizes well-being.

Breaking the Silence: The Power of Self-Advocacy

Erin Slutsky, Speaker, Midlife Coach, Enneagram Practitioner, Erin Slutsky Coaching

In this session, you will be empowered to find your voice, overcome obstacles and advocate for your needs, both personally and professionally. Gain an understanding of the importance of self-advocacy and how it impacts your personal empowerment. Develop practical tools and techniques for effective communication, build the confidence and assertiveness needed to tackle challenges and create your own personal action plan to implement these strategies. Through inspiring stories and real-life examples, you’ll see how self-advocacy can transform your life and help you create lasting change.

12:15-1pm - Lunch Keynote: Being Our Best Professional Selves at Work and More – Tara Schuster

1:30-2:15pm - Breakout Session 2: Ignite Your Purpose

Insights and Strategies for the Evolving Workforce

Corry Joe Biddle, VP of Community Affairs + Executive Director, FUEL Milwaukee, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC); Amanda Mast, Founder and Fractional Talent Acquisition Consultant, Hire Up LLC

Explore the latest trends, reshaping the talent landscape and gain practical strategies to succeed in today’s competitive market. Designed for both job seekers and employers, this session examines key developments influencing recruitment and retention, backed by the most recent hiring and employment data.

With a focus on Milwaukee’s workforce, the workshop highlights approaches for engaging women professionals and fostering inclusive hiring practices that attract diverse talent. Participants will discover how evolving work models can be harnessed at various stages of life and career, empowering them to grow personally and professionally.

Connect, learn and collaborate in ways that support both career growth and long-term success.

How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge

Kristin Gupta, Founder of KristinAdvising, KristinAdvising

One of the greatest myths of leadership is that you must be in charge to lead. Great leaders don’t agree. Great leaders lead with or without authority and learn to unleash their influence to make a difference.  In this workshop, Kristin will help participants grow their leadership and empowerment regardless of title.

AI in Action

Lena DeLaet, Director, Sales & Summerfest Tech, Summerfest Tech [Moderator]; Heather Bennett, Digital Marketer, Brand Strategist, Team Leader, IEWC; Leia Ferrari Traner, Founder & Chief of Staff, Carmen Diana LLC and Milky Way Tech Hub; Prashant Mehrotra, Chief AI Officer, U.S. Bank

Explore how organizations are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation, enhance decision-making and improve efficiency. This panel will feature industry professionals discussing real-world examples of AI integration in the workplace, the challenges they’ve faced, and the opportunities and challenges AI presents for fostering organizational growth and culture.

Leading Meaningful Change through Inclusive Conversations

Nina Johnson, Senior Vice President, Wisconsin Branch Banking Market Leader, US Bank; Noleta Franz, Assistant Director, Legal Process, Northwestern Mutual

Have you wondered how to foster real and impactful change to your organization’s culture? Or how to address difficult topics in an inclusive manner? How would you create a safe space for these conversations? What’s more, does creating such spaces have a positive impact on your mission and bottom line? In this session, we will tackle these questions and provide specific examples of successful programs and outcomes. Regardless of your background or role in your organization, you can take courageous steps to foster inclusivity and tap into the diverse perspectives of your team members, customers, and stakeholders. Embracing a variety of perspectives is not just advantageous but essential for leaders navigating today’s rapidly changing environments.

2:30-3:15pm - Breakout Session 3: Ignite Your Potential

Unlocking Your True Potential (Psychological Flexibility)

Dr. Ashley Smith, Psychologist, Author, and Co-founder of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength, Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength

As a leader, you are a person of high value and intrinsic worth. Yet, life’s demands often keep you from living up to your full potential, leaving you going through the motions or reacting in ways you don’t feel good about.

Through hands-on, experiential exercises, attendees will develop psychological flexibility, a mental superpower that allows for better performance, greater happiness, and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. It helps you understand how your mind works and manage negative thoughts, feelings, and urges to respond more effectively to life’s challenges.

Participants will apply psychological flexibility to a current friction point in their personal or professional lives. You’ll connect with your core values, learn key brain science that explains what holds you back, and walk away with tools to handle challenges in alignment with your best self.

Demystifying Venture Capital

Inge Plautz, Senior Vice President and Executive BDO, Old National Bank; Jennifer Abele, Founder & Managing Partner, VC 414; Raquel Filmanowicz

Whether you are seeking funding or looking to invest, venture capital or VC can be daunting, especially for women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. This introductory session will demystify the venture capital process and offer strategies for those who may feel uncertain about entering the VC space. Attendees will gain an understanding of the first steps for engagement. Inge, Jennifer and Raquel will share their experiences, answer your questions and empower you to take yourself or your business to the next level.

How to Get Your Mojo Back: Moving Ahead After Getting Knocked Down

Keri McConnell, Organizational Development Leader, MetalTek [Moderator]; Denise Domian, Chief Human Resources Officer, Johnson Financial Group; Tara Schuster, Best-Selling Author & Accomplished Entertainment Executive; Patricia Cabral, Senior Director of Software Engineering, Northwestern Mutual

What is mojo, anyway? It’s that inner drive, energy and confidence that keep us moving forward, even when things get tough. Join our panel of resilient women leaders as they share their stories about bouncing back from setbacks. Learn practical strategies to rebuild confidence, reignite your motivation and reclaim your path to success. Leave feeling inspired, empowered and ready to get your mojo back.

Purpose-Driven Leadership: Decision-Making in the C-Suite

LaShonda Hill, GPHR, ABM Industries

How do C-suite leaders make decisions that inspire purpose, fuel passion and unlock potential across their organizations? In this interactive session, you’ll explore the decision-making frameworks that drive impactful leadership at the executive level. Whether you’re already in a C-suite role or aspiring to reach it, this dialogue will offer practical insights on aligning your decisions with both organizational goals and personal values. We’ll also dive into strategies for ensuring fairness and reducing bias when making high-stakes decisions that affect others. Join us to ignite your leadership potential and cultivate a purpose-driven approach to executive decision-making.

3:30-4:15pm - Closing Session: Know Your Worth: Strategies for Negotiating

Isioma Nwabuzor 

Over half a century after the United States passed the Equal Pay Act, American women still face a significant gender wage gap across the spectrum. Negotiating your compensation can feel like an intimidating task, but it’s a critical step in setting the foundation for your future financial security and career growth; establishing generational wealth; and ultimately closing the wage gap. In this session, we’ll explore strategies and tips for effectively negotiating your salary as well as non-monetary benefits, such as flexible schedules, preferred assignments and job titles. 

 

Please Note: When you register, you will choose to register for in-person or online participation. In-Person will take place at the Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, from 8am to 5pm. Online will take place via a conference app and Zoom from 8am to 4:30pm and will include virtual networking, keynote speakers, the closing panel and a preselected session for each of the breakout periods.

Online and in-person participants will use the conference app to access conference information, create profiles, connect with participants and speakers and view sponsor booths.

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