Next Level Conference 2026:

Start the day with breakfast and conversation! Check in at registration, grab a bite to eat and connect with fellow attendees before the day’s activities begin.

Kick off the day with opening announcements from Jill Robinson, including a welcome and important information to help you make the most of the day ahead.

Join leadership expert and award-winning author Karin Hurt for *Courageous Cultures*, an engaging keynote on creating workplaces where people feel confident sharing ideas, raising concerns and solving problems. Discover practical strategies to build trust, encourage meaningful dialogue and turn employee ideas into actionable solutions that fuel innovation.

Wrap up the morning with closing announcements from Jill Robinson, including final reminders and information before you head into the rest of your day.

Take a short break to refresh, recharge and connect with fellow attendees before the next session begins.

Choose from a variety of breakout sessions designed to dive deeper into key topics, share practical strategies and spark meaningful conversations you can take back to your team.

Beyond the To-Do List: Crafting a Life of Consequence
Renee Drake, EVP & Director of Commercial Banking at First Horizon
Most of us have mastered the art of getting things done: the calendars, the deadlines, and the quiet pride of a completed to-do list. But somewhere along the way, many women begin to sense that a productive life and a meaningful life are not necessarily the same. Whether you are in your building years, the balancing years, or the reimagining years, you will leave with a clearer sense of what matters most and a practical framework for living it out. Through reflection and actionable insights, you'll be encouraged to define success on your own terms and make intentional choices that align your daily life with your deepest values.

Courageous Cultures
Karin Hurt, CEO, Author, & Keynote Speaker at Let’s Grow Leaders
Transform the way your team communicates. Karin Hurt explores practical techniques to build psychological safety, inspire meaningful dialogue, and create a workplace culture where innovation and collaboration thrive. Leave with actionable strategies you can immediately apply to empower your team and spark lasting change.

IN OUR HANDS: A Maker’s Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices
Bonnie Smith Whitehouse, Executive Director of Belmont Global Honors & Professor of English at Belmont University
Drawing from the ideas in her new book, In Our Hands: A Maker's Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices, Bonnie Smith Whitehouse explores how creative practices can become a powerful source of resilience, connection, and renewal in an increasingly complex world. Grounded in personal stories, practical insights, and emerging research, this session invites participants to rediscover the transformative power of making with their hands. Whether through writing, painting, knitting, collaging, or other creative pursuits, you'll discover how intentional creativity can foster well-being, strengthen community, and inspire meaningful change.

Navigating the Nuance of Executive Leadership
Deniece Thomas, Commissioner at TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Becoming an executive leader is quite the professional feat. However, it demands a broad yet expertly defined skillset. Navigating this complex terrain requires understanding the intricacies of leadership, communication, and decision-making.

Overcoming the Confidence Gap: Facing Down Imposter Syndrome and Developing Leadership Influence
Melanie Adams, Executive Director, Executive Education, Educational Innovation & Institutional Effectiveness at Belmont University
Confidence is not about having every answer or never feeling uncertain. It is about learning how to lead, contribute, and speak up even when self-doubt is present. This session helps participants understand the confidence gap and the patterns often associated with imposter syndrome, including overpreparing, minimizing accomplishments, avoiding visibility, or assuming others are more capable. Through practical examples and guided reflection, participants will identify the thoughts and behaviors that limit their influence and develop strategies for showing up with greater clarity, courage, and ownership. They will leave with tools for strengthening confidence, contributing more fully, and leading from where they are.

Stepping into Purpose and Finding Your Authentic Voice
Kim James, Executive Director at Rotary Club of Nashville
Your voice is one of your greatest leadership assets, but finding the confidence to use it with clarity, conviction, and purpose can be challenging. In this session, explore how embracing your purpose and leading with authenticity can strengthen your confidence, deepen your impact, and help you navigate both personal and professional opportunities with greater clarity. You'll leave with practical strategies to communicate with intention and lead as your most authentic self.

Unlock Your Leadership Potential Through Emotional Intelligence
Janet Rehberg, President & CEO Elect at EPB
In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure workplace, emotional intelligence (EQ) is more than a valuable skill — it’s a defining advantage for effective leadership. This session is designed for professionals who are ready to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and influence.

Together, we’ll explore how strengthening your emotional intelligence can elevate your decision-making, build stronger and more authentic professional relationships, and help you navigate challenges with resilience and purpose. Whether you’re stepping into a new leadership role or enhancing your executive presence, you’ll leave with practical strategies and tools you can apply immediately to accelerate your growth and impact.

What Every Leader Needs to Know About Today's Economy
Emily Mitchell, Vice President & Regional Executive at Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Regional Economic Information Network
Hear from Emily Mitchell, Vice President and Regional Executive from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, as she shares insights on the current economic landscape, emerging trends, and what may lie ahead for businesses and communities in the coming year. You will gain timely insights on national economic trends, policy impact, and key indicators shaping Middle Tennessee's business climate.

Your Hidden Genius
Alexandra Ellison, Founder & Head Guide at Throughline Guidance
Everyone has a unique combination of natural talents, interests, and personality traits, yet many professionals spend their careers trying to fit someone else's definition of success. In this interactive session, explore how uncovering your hidden genius can help you better understand your strengths, make more confident decisions, and maximize the value you bring to your work. Using science-backed insights, you'll gain practical tools to recognize your unique abilities and leverage them to lead, grow, and thrive with greater purpose.

Take a short break to refresh, recharge and connect with fellow attendees before the next session begins.

Building Influence Before You Have the Title
Kristen Sharp, Assistant Chief Financial Officer at Parallon
Influence does not begin when you receive a title. It begins in the way you show up, serve, contribute, and take ownership before the final decision is yours to make. This session will explore how emerging leaders can build credibility, earn trust, and create impact across different environments.

Career Navigation: Knowing When to Pivot, Pause, or Accelerate
Carla Worthey, Managing Director, Human Capital & Leadership Strategy, C-Suite Advisor, Executive Coach at Thrivence Consulting and Ann Hatcher, Counseling Intern at Anomaly Therapy
Career paths are rarely linear. This session will explore how to identify the right moments to embrace new opportunities, step back for reflection, or confidently move forward. Leave with practical insights for navigating change with clarity and purpose.

Collaboration as a Leadership Advantage
Martha Silva, Co-Executive Director at Conexión Américas
Strong leadership is rarely a solo endeavor. In this session, Martha will explore how meaningful collaboration can strengthen leadership, foster innovation, and build trust across teams. Participants will gain practical strategies for cultivating collaborative relationships, navigating diverse perspectives, and creating environments where people and ideas can thrive together.

IN OUR HANDS: A Maker’s Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices
Bonnie Smith Whitehouse, Executive Director of Belmont Global Honors & Professor of English at Belmont University
Drawing from the ideas in her new book, In Our Hands: A Maker's Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices, Bonnie Smith Whitehouse explores how creative practices can become a powerful source of resilience, connection, and renewal in an increasingly complex world. Grounded in personal stories, practical insights, and emerging research, this session invites participants to rediscover the transformative power of making with their hands. Whether through writing, painting, knitting, collaging, or other creative pursuits, you'll discover how intentional creativity can foster well-being, strengthen community, and inspire meaningful change.

Southern Word Poetry Workshop
Southern Word
Discover the power of poetry as a tool for creativity, reflection, and connection. Whether you're an experienced writer or putting pen to paper for the first time, this interactive workshop will inspire you to find your voice, tell your story, and explore the art of spoken and written word in a welcoming environment.

Real Talk: Perspectives from Nashville's Young Professionals
Dori Carpenter, Business Growth Consultant at Solutions 21, Ellie Ivancich, CFP Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Christina Griffin, Owner, Chief Executive Coach at The Griffin Coaching and Consulting Group ,and Celeste Malone, Communications Strategist at Vanderbilt University
Most of us have mastered the art of getting things done: the calendars, the deadlines, and the quiet pride of a completed to-do list. But somewhere along the way, many women begin to sense that a productive life and a meaningful life are not necessarily the same. Whether you are in your building years, the balancing years, or the reimagining years, you will leave with a clearer sense of what matters most and a practical framework for living it out. Through reflection and actionable insights, you'll be encouraged to define success on your own terms and make intentional choices that align your daily life with your deepest values.

Strengths Finder
Lori LeBleu, Senior Director of Career Education and Employer Initiatives at Belmont University
Great leaders don't try to be everything to everyone—they understand and maximize what they naturally do best. In this session, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach Lori LeBleu will explore how CliftonStrengths can help you better understand your unique talents, elevate your leadership, and create stronger, more engaged teams. You'll walk away with practical insights for applying your strengths to your work, relationships, and everyday leadership.

What Got You Here, What Will Get You There: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, and Impact Panel
Stephanie Coleman, President & CEO at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Kelly Knight Hodges, Chief Growth and Client Experience Officer at Gresham Smith, and Courtney Ross, Senior Manager, Community Engagement at Amazon
Great leaders don't try to be everything to everyone—they understand and maximize what they naturally do best. In this session, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach Lori LeBleu will explore how CliftonStrengths can help you better understand your unique talents, elevate your leadership, and create stronger, more engaged teams. You'll walk away with practical insights for applying your strengths to your work, relationships, and everyday leadership.

Your Hidden Genius
Alexandra Ellison, Founder & Head Guide at Throughline Guidance
Everyone has a unique combination of natural talents, interests, and personality traits, yet many professionals spend their careers trying to fit someone else's definition of success. In this interactive session, explore how uncovering your hidden genius can help you better understand your strengths, make more confident decisions, and maximize the value you bring to your work. Using science-backed insights, you'll gain practical tools to recognize your unique abilities and leverage them to lead, grow, and thrive with greater purpose.

Take a short break to refresh, recharge and connect with fellow attendees before the next session begins.

Wrap up the event with a reception! Connect with fellow attendees and continue the conversations sparked throughout the day.