| 10:45 am | Breakout Sessions Women, Work & AI: Thriving in the Age of Intelligent Innovation
AI is reshaping the future of work—and with it, new opportunities for women to lead, grow, and thrive. This session explores how AI can be a powerful catalyst for personal and professional development, from streamlining day-to-day tasks to unlocking new leadership pathways. Discover how to use AI to build your skill set, enhance productivity, and achieve greater work-life integration. We’ll also examine ethical considerations and how women can drive inclusive innovation in this evolving landscape.
- Tiffany Bargeman, Business Analyst, Fidelity Investments
- Shannon Frazier, Executive Director of Human Resources, Lenovo
- Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, Associate Professor and Founding Director of IAIER, Library and Information Sciences, North Carolina Central University
- Moderator: Jenny Bo, Co-Founder, Roboro
Lead Like a Woman: Your Questions, Your Leadership Journey (Sponsored by Delta Dental)
Ready to get real about leadership? This interactive Q&A-style breakout invites you to steer the conversation. Bring your questions, challenges, and stories as we dive deeper into what it means to lead boldly and authentically as a woman. From navigating bias to finding your voice in the room, no topic is off the table. This is your space to ask, share, and leave with real-world strategies and support from peers and facilitators who’ve been there.
- Linda Brown, Director of Communications, Agricultural Solutions, North America, BASF
- Laura Bunn, Mid-Atlantic Regional President, Executive Vice President, First Horizon Bank
- Beth Townsend, Director – Government and Community Relations, East Region, NC, Duke Energy
- Moderator: Kelli Blackmond, VP of Software Engineering, Fidelity Investments
Burnout-Proofing Your Ambition in 2026
You don’t need less ambition. You need a better way to carry it. If your success comes at the cost of your time, health, or sanity… it’s time to rewrite the rules. In this powerful breakout session, business strategist and recovering over-functioner Megan Gillikin will help you spot the habits and expectations quietly leading you toward burnout – and replace them with boundaries that actually stick. Through real talk, relatable stories, and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to protect your energy, honor your capacity, and build a version of success that’s sustainable and fulfilling. Because burnout isn’t the price of leadership and in 2026, you get to do it differently.
Key Takeaways:
- The three hidden habits high achievers carry that quietly fuel burnout
- How to spot energy leaks, outdated goals, and obligation overload with a simple burnout audit
- Scripts, strategies, and mental shifts to help you say no without guilt
- How to design a burnout-proof plan for 2026 that aligns with your energy, values, and priorities
Megan Gillikin, The Planner’s Vault
Creating Cultures of Belonging and Opportunity in Today’s Workplace
As professional women navigating complex work environments, we often find ourselves advocating not only for our own advancement but also for creating spaces where others can thrive. In this session, we’ll explore how women leaders can champion meaningful cultural change—building workplaces where collaboration, representation, and belonging are at the forefront. You’ll gain actionable strategies to navigate resistance, influence decision-makers, and foster environments where all individuals are respected, empowered, and able to contribute fully. Whether you’re leading a team or shaping organizational strategy, this session will equip you to lead with intention and impact.
- Susie Silver, CDE, Director of Client Success, The Diversity Movement, A Workplace Options Company
- Melanie Sanders, CDE, Senior Consultant of Client Success, The Diversity Movement, A Workplace Options Company
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| 12:45 pm | Breakout Sessions Breaking the Mirror: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome & Build Unshakable Confidence
Even the most accomplished women experience self-doubt. This session dives deep into the roots of imposter syndrome, how it manifests in leadership, and practical strategies to reframe your mindset, own your voice, and show up with confidence—without apology. Walk away with tools to silence your inner critic and advocate for yourself with clarity and courage.
- Mary Elizabeth Barwick, Vice President of External Affairs, Strategic Engagement, Reynolds American Inc.
- Kelly Calabria, SVP, Communications, Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
- Shannon Webster, Executive Director of Technology Strategy, First Citizens Bank
- Moderator: Stacy Cassio, Founder, Pink Mentor
From Command to Career Change: Navigating Bold Transitions and Building Purpose-Driven Paths
Join two remarkable leaders for an intimate conversation on how bold transitions and value-driven choices shape powerful careers. Dr. Ronit Freeman, a trailblazing scientist and the first woman intelligence officer in her unit in the Israeli Army, and Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, a third-generation military veteran turned attorney and entrepreneur, bring a wealth of lived experience—from commanding male-dominated teams to leading with kindness and strategic clarity.
In this candid fireside chat, they’ll share personal stories of reinvention, overcoming bias, balancing purpose and ambition, and how service—whether in the lab, courtroom, or community—can be a launchpad for innovation and impact. Attendees will walk away with real insights on how to approach pivotal career decisions, build meaningful networks, and grow with confidence through every season of leadership.
Repeat: Burnout-Proofing Your Ambition in 2026
You don’t need less ambition. You need a better way to carry it. If your success comes at the cost of your time, health, or sanity… it’s time to rewrite the rules. In this powerful breakout session, business strategist and recovering over-functioner Megan Gillikin will help you spot the habits and expectations quietly leading you toward burnout – and replace them with boundaries that actually stick. Through real talk, relatable stories, and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to protect your energy, honor your capacity, and build a version of success that’s sustainable and fulfilling. Because burnout isn’t the price of leadership and in 2026, you get to do it differently.
Key Takeaways:
- The 3 hidden habits high achievers carry that quietly fuel burnout
- How to spot energy leaks, outdated goals, and obligation overload with a simple burnout audit
- Scripts, strategies, and mental shifts to help you say no without guilt
- How to design a burnout-proof plan for 2026 that aligns with your energy, values, and priorities
Megan Gillikin, The Planner’s Vault
Repeat: Creating Cultures of Belonging and Opportunity in Today’s Workplace
As professional women navigating complex work environments, we often find ourselves advocating not only for our own advancement but also for creating spaces where others can thrive. In this session, we’ll explore how women leaders can champion meaningful cultural change—building workplaces where collaboration, representation, and belonging are at the forefront. You’ll gain actionable strategies to navigate resistance, influence decision-makers, and foster environments where all individuals are respected, empowered, and able to contribute fully. Whether you’re leading a team or shaping organizational strategy, this session will equip you to lead with intention and impact.
- Susie Silver, CDE, Director of Client Success, The Diversity Movement, A Workplace Options Company
- Melanie Sanders, CDE, Senior Consultant of Client Success, The Diversity Movement, A Workplace Options Company
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