Keynote Speaker:

• Steve Harper

Meaningful impact starts with meaningful connection. In this fast‑paced, energizing session, participants step into the 8‑Minute Ripple, a structured yet refreshingly human way to meet new people without the pressure of pitching, posturing, or swapping business cards. Instead, you’ll explore what makes you you: your spark, your curiosity, and the experiences that shape your leadership journey.

Through a series of short, intentional conversations, you’ll practice connecting in ways that are authentic, generous, and memorable. The format is simple, the conversations are surprising, and the ripple effects often last long after the session ends. This experience is designed to help you ignite new relationships and expand your impact in unexpected ways.

Breakout 1:

• Gretchen Rickards (Founder and Executive Coach, GR Coaching and Consulting)

Your impact begins with clarity, and no one understands what you need to thrive better than you. In this interactive session, you will identify your non-negotiables, must-haves, and nice-to-haves that support your well-being, strengthen your leadership, and help you stay connected to what fuels your spark. Through guided reflection, peer discussion, and practical exercises, you will create a set of commitments that shape how you want to show up in your work, your community, and your life.

By the end of the session, you will leave with a clear and actionable framework that you can begin using immediately to protect your energy, focus your efforts, and ignite meaningful impact.

Breakout 2:

• TBD

Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding ways to create impact, yet many people hesitate because the options feel overwhelming or too time consuming. This session brings together a panel of dedicated volunteers and nonprofit professionals who will help you cut through the noise and discover opportunities that aligns your interests, capacity, and strengths.

You will learn about the wide range of ways to get involved, including options that are flexible, skills based, or behind the scenes. This panel will also share tips for identifying what roles align best with your personality, schedule, and goals. Whether you are brand new to volunteering or looking to re-engage in a more meaningful way, this session will give you the clarity and confidence to take the next step.

Breakout 3:

• Chardinay Jackson

Creating meaningful impact often requires knowing how to advocate for yourself. In this session, a panel of experienced problem-solvers will share practical guidance on recognizing when a conversation is moving in a productive direction and understanding when stepping away may be the best choice.

Whether you are navigating workplace expectations, volunteer roles, or personal priorities, this session will help you build the skills and confidence to communicate your needs clearly and secure the conditions that allow you to thrive. You will leave with strategies you can put into practice right away.

Breakout 4:

• Danielle Gertner

Rejection can sting, especially when you have poured time, energy, and optimism into an opportunity. This workshop helps you shift the way you interpret a “no,” transforming it from something personal into information you can use to grow, adapt, and lead with greater clarity. Together, we will explore why rejection can feel so discouraging and how to separate your sense of self from external outcomes. Through practical frameworks and real examples, you will learn how to understand what a “no” may actually be signaling, whether it reflects timing, priorities, alignment, or something else entirely.

By the end of the workshop, you will know how to process rejection without losing confidence, identify useful information within professional setbacks, adjust your strategy and messaging with intention, and strengthen your influence, persistence, and decision making.

Keynote:

• TBD

Every leader has a natural style, but today’s challenges demand more than relying on what has always worked. High‑impact leadership requires the ability to adapt, shifting your approach based on the person in front of you, the project at hand, and the pressure of the moment. This keynote explores how to move beyond basic personality assessments to examine how flexible, intentional leadership drives stronger results.

Our speaker will give a closer look at the advantages and potential pitfalls of different leadership styles and you will learn how to read the room with greater accuracy. The session will help you understand when to lean into your natural tendencies and when to consciously adjust your approach, all while staying grounded in your authentic self. By the end, you will have a clearer sense of how to lead with both confidence and adaptability in an ever‑changing environment.

Breakout 5:

• TBD

This session is designed for aspiring and emerging business leaders who want to build ventures that reflect their passions, talents, and natural strengths. Together, we will explore how self‑awareness, purpose, and courage form the foundation of sustainable and meaningful entrepreneurship. Participants will reflect on their core gifts, consider the right timing for turning ideas into action, and learn how to distinguish between being the creator of a vision and being the subject matter expert who brings it to life. The conversation will highlight why it is not only acceptable but often essential to seek support in areas outside your strengths.

You will also examine how your personal talents can shape your entrepreneurial strategy and guide the decisions you make as a leader. By the end of the session, you will have a clearer sense of how to develop a purpose‑centered approach to business and how to take intentional, confident steps toward launching or advancing your own entrepreneurial endeavors.

Breakout 6:

• TBD

You already know how to meet people and start conversations. The real challenge is turning those interactions into relationships that matter. This session introduces the STRONG Network Framework, a strategic and trust‑based approach to building connections that are intentional, relational, and focused on the future rather than the transaction.

You will explore how to begin with clear strategic intent so you understand why you are reaching out and what you hope to learn or build. The session will guide you through taking inventory of the advocates, experts, connectors, and peers already in your orbit before seeking new relationships. You will learn how to personalize outreach with relevance and purpose, lead with value instead of asks, and nurture relationships through consistent, low‑effort touchpoints that build trust over time.

Keynote:

• Le-Ann Harris (CNO at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic and Holy Cross Health)

This keynote challenges the long‑standing myth that great leaders must stand strong on their own. Instead, we will explore why the most successful executives intentionally surround themselves with ecosystems of support that strengthen their decision making, expand their perspective, and accelerate their impact. By reframing the act of seeking help as a strategic leadership skill rather than a personal shortcoming, we open the door to faster innovation, greater psychological safety within teams, and a more sustainable path toward long‑term goals.

You will leave with a clearer understanding of how collaborative strength, not solitary endurance, fuels modern leadership and creates the conditions for meaningful, lasting success.