08:00 AM
- 09:00 AM |
ELFA for Every Child - Build a Backpack Community Service Project
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08:00 AM
- 11:30 AM |
Registration
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09:00 AM
- 06:00 PM |
The Power Portrait Lounge
Complimentary Headshots & Glam Services
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09:00 AM
- 10:00 AM |
Fun Walk
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11:30 AM
- 01:15 PM |
Lunch and Keynote
Welcome and Introduction Jordan Reeve, Building Experience Manager, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Emerging Leaders Subcommittee Chair James Cress, Vice President & General Manager, Flex Financial, Stryker, ELFA Board Chair
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01:15 PM
- 01:30 PM |
Break
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01:30 PM
- 02:30 PM |
Breakout Session - Align & Amplify: Building Your Personal Brand Through Core Value
In today's competitive landscape, personal branding isn't just about self-promotion, it's about authenticity, clarity, and alignment. This interactive professional development workshop guides participants through the foundational step of building a strong personal brand: identifying and articulating their core values. Through guided reflection, practical exercises, and group discussion, participants will uncover the values that drive their decisions, shape their behaviors, and influence how they are perceived by others. By the end of the session, attendees will have a clearer understanding of how to align their personal values with their professional goals to build a brand that is both genuine and impactful. Key Takeaways:
- Discover and define your core personal values
- Understand the role of values in shaping your personal and professional identity
- Learn how to communicate your values as part of your personal brand
- Gain tools to align your brand with your long-term career vision
Whether you're a rising professional, a leader, or someone exploring new directions, this workshop will help you build a personal brand rooted in authenticity and purpose. Megan Stewart, Founder, Spark Coaching Sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee
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01:30 PM
- 02:30 PM |
Breakout Session - As You Wish: Creating a Culture of Belonging through Inclusive Leadership
Inspired by The Princess Bride and backed by behavioral science, this inclusive leadership session invites participants to move beyond surface-level diversity initiatives and into the heart of what truly drives engagement: belonging.
With wit, heart, and plenty of movie references, this session explores how different characters—Fezzik's strength, Inigo's comeback story, Westley's loyalty—mirror the strengths and growth journeys of real teams. Participants will uncover:
- The difference between inviting diversity and cultivating inclusion
- Practical behaviors that promote psychological safety and trust
- How to co-create a "village charter" of belonging and shared values
This session isn't just about checking boxes—it's about helping every voice say, and hear, "As you wish"—a phrase that signals respect, partnership, and care. Leaders leave with tools to foster belonging, unlock team potential, and build cultures where people stay, play, and thrive. Hilary Bilbrey, Co-Founder, PEQ Performance Consulting Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee
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02:30 PM
- 02:45 PM |
Break
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02:45 PM
- 03:45 PM |
Breakout Session - Lead Like a Pro: Build Your Brand, Boost Your Voice and Negotiate with Confidence
In today's competitive environment, success depends on more than just results—it's about how you present yourself, communicate your value, and navigate critical conversations. In this fast-paced, interactive session, you'll learn how to promote yourself without sounding self-absorbed, negotiate with confidence using proven frameworks, and enhance your leadership presence through emotional intelligence. Whether you're looking to sharpen your personal brand, advocate for your worth, or elevate your influence, this session will equip you with practical tools to lead like a pro. Chris McDonell, President and CEO, McDonell Consulting Group Sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee
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02:45 PM
- 03:45 PM |
Breakout Session - Beyond Coping: A Candid Conversation about Resilience, Connection, and Happiness in the
Workplace
Crippling burnout. Chronic absenteeism. Rampant resignations. The multi-headed monster of compassion fatigue, longer working days and employee isolation are damming up the rivers of productivity at thousands of companies, and employers are concerned. Leveraging insights from his own decade-long mental health journey, Johnny Crowder shows audiences why talking about mental health should be as straightforward as talking about physical health, even in the workplace. And he shares the hard-won strategies for emotional wellbeing that led to the creation of his science-based breakthrough mental and emotional support app, Cope Notes, which is now in use in more than 90 countries. Johnny Crowder, Founder and CEO, Cope Notes Sponsored by the Inclusion Education and Resources Subcommittee
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02:45 PM
- 03:45 PM |
Breakout Session - Beyond the Title: Leading with Purpose, Not Position
You don't need a title to be a leader. The strongest organizations are built by people who lead with purpose—whether they sit in the C-suite or on the front lines. This session helps attendees rethink what it means to lead and empowers them to influence culture, engagement, and results from wherever they are. Amy Pechacek will guide participants through stories and strategies that inspire bold ownership, intentional leadership, and a mindset shift that transforms "just doing the job" into making a lasting impact. Amy Peckachek, Founder, Alpstra & Co. Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee
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03:45 PM
- 04:00 PM |
Break
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04:00 PM
- 05:00 PM |
Breakout Session - You are Yoda, Not Luke Storytelling
In leadership, we often strive to be the hero, but the greatest leaders are guides. In this engaging and energizing session, emerging leaders will learn to frame their personal stories not as highlight reels but as powerful tools for connection, influence, and inspiration. Using Donald Miller's StoryBrand framework and examples from pop culture and business, participants will explore how to tell their stories with clarity, vulnerability, and purpose.
They'll walk away with:
- A defined leadership narrative they can use in interviews, presentations, or team building
- Confidence in using story as a bridge to trust
- A shift in mindset from being the star to being the catalyst for others' success
Because great leaders don't need the lightsaber to shine, they hand it to others. Hilary Bilbrey, Co-Founder, PEQ Performance Consulting Sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee
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04:00 PM
- 05:00 PM |
Breakout Session - Communicating with Impact
Excellent communication skills are at the heart of successful leaders and organizations. Without proper communication, teams are riddled with conflict, people are misunderstood, progress is stalled, and productivity and revenue are not optimized. In this engaging one-hour workshop, you'll discover how understanding different communication styles can dramatically enhance your effectiveness, build stronger relationships, and minimize misunderstandings at work. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, you'll quickly identify your own communication style and learn practical strategies for adapting to others. Walk away ready to connect, influence, and lead with greater clarity and confidence. Participants are invited to participate in an optional webinar that will include a self-assessments and additional learning and exploration. Anna Conrad, CEO, Impact Leadership Solutions Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee
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05:00 PM
- 06:00 PM |
Reception
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06:00 PM
- 09:00 PM |
Networking Boat Dinner Cruise at Baltimore Inner Harbor
Shuttle services will be available for those needing assistance. The boat dock is a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
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