Next Level Breakout Descriptions

Conference Breakouts

Beyond the To-Do List: Crafting a Life of Consequence

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.

SPEAKER: Renee Drake

Session One Breakout: 9:30‑10:45am

Courageous Cultures

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.

SPEAKER: Karin Hurt

Session One Breakout: 9:30-10:45am

IN OUR HANDS: A Maker's Manifesto for Changing the World Through Creative Practices

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.

SPEAKER: Bonnie Smith Whitehouse.

Session One Breakout: 9:30-10:45am

Navigating the Nuance of Executive Leadership

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.

SPEAKER: Deniece Thomas

Session One Breakout: 9:30-10:45am

Overcoming the Confidence Gap: Facing Down Imposter Syndrome and Developing Leadership Influence

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.

SPEAKER: Dr. Melanie Adams

Session One Breakout: 9:30-10:45am

Stepping into Purpose and Finding Your Authentic Voice

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.

SPEAKER: Kim James

Session One Breakout: 9:30-10:45 am

Unlock Your Leadership Potential Through Emotional Intelligence

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.

SPEAKER: Janet Rehberg

Session One Breakout: 9:30-10:45am

What Every Leader Needs to Know About Today's Economy

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.

SPEAKER: Emily Mitchell

Session One Breakouts: 9:30-10:45am

Your Hidden Genius

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.

SPEAKER: Alex Ellison

Session One Breakouts: 9:30-10:45am

Networking: The Power in Connection

Learn effective strategies for building and leveraging professional relationships and gain the confidence to expand your network for career growth and professional development. You'll have the opportunity to dive into the intricacies of building and nurturing professional relationships. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, you'll discover techniques for expanding your network, leveraging connections, and cultivating meaningful interactions. Whether you are aiming to advance your career, grow your business, or simply enhance your social circles, this workshop will empower you with the skills and confidence to harness the full potential of networking in today's interconnected world.

SPEAKER: Laquita Stribling

Session Two: 3:15 pm

Red Helicopter

Red helicopter—a parable for our times exposes the root cause for these feelings and encourages us to embrace a few key principles to reorient our lives, organizations, and the world to reflect the best in us. In this remarkable book, Rhee provides the tools we can use to embrace agency by identifying the obstacles quietly holding us back. It also provides tools to construct a balance sheet of our true assets and liabilities, and create and measure "goodwill," —the ultimate collective good.

SPEAKER: James Rhee

Main Session: 11:30 am

Refinding the Path

As our world has shifted and rearranged itself over the past couple years, people are taking stock of what is important to them and how they want to shape the next chapter of their lives. Writing is a powerful way to wander and rediscover your course. Southern Word is known for providing this processing tool to thousands of young people each year. Adults need this resource as well. Take the opportunity to spend an hour writing and sharing with Southern Word mentors as a way of grounding and reinvigorating yourself.

SPEAKER: Southern Word

Session One: 1:45 pm

Strategy in Life and Business: A Daily Practice

It is easy to think of success in life and business as a final destination; but instead, it is a journey we embark on. If we think of strategy as a way of life, we can be most effective by understanding our strengths and weaknesses as well as simply communicating our aspirations and goals. Learning how to connect with the purpose behind your actions can spark passion and drive to make strategy a crucial tool in your daily routine. In this workshop, we will assess how to use strategy as a cornerstone for decision-making, time management, resource allocation, and ultimately action. This enables individuals and organizations to navigate the complexities they face in their roadmaps to overcome challenges or reroute in order to achieve success.

SPEAKER: Mike Lenda

Session Two: 3:15 pm

The Strength in Authentic and Transparent Leadership

Imagine a workforce where authentic and transparent leadership are more than just popular buzzwords but the driving force to instill trust and loyalty within your teams. The key to motivating your team to work towards organizational success is cultivating environments where individuals feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. In this workshop, we will discuss how to create environments where individuals feel respected, and mistakes or setbacks are handled with tact and compassion. Take your leadership skills to the next level by enhancing your ability to authentically connect with your teams and positively impact work culture.

PANEL: Angie Adams , Zulfat Suara , and Christine Buggs

Session Two: 3:15 pm

Women Empowerment: Supporting Paths for Women
(sports, forging careers for women and themselves, women empowerment is important to them, etc.)

Empowerment is a deeply personal and a diversified experience for women all over the world. Women in every industry have developed resilience to build paths for themselves in their workplaces, communities, and individually. Navigating these paths requires actively embracing oneself and emboldening all women to courageously reach their full potentials. This workshop explores what building supportive and collaborative networks looks like and how to utilize empowerment as a tool for women inside and outside of the workplace. Join two inspiring women who are seasoned professionals in the sports industry to offer their personal experience and guidance for women to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

SPEAKER: Tina Tuggle and Shannon Myers

Session One: 1:45 pm

Women In Leadership Panel

Join this discussion group to hear from women leaders in our community on navigating career path, supporting other women in the workplace, excelling in career with a champion/mentor, opening the way for those behind you to follow, and work-life integration.

PANEL: Sarah Gardial (moderator) , Christine Karbowiak , Mary Winn Pilkington , and Karen Thompson

Session Two: 3:15 pm