In each 15-minute session, as a mentee, you’ll be able to make connections and get career guidance from seasoned experts. As a mentor, you’ll get to share experiences and advice, provide feedback, and network with a variety of attendees. If you would like to be mentored or would like to be a mentor, you must complete a form that will be emailed to you upon Summit registration. Space is limited.

Celeste Headlee’s _Having Better Conversations _presentation focuses on the science-based fundamentals of communication and includes thought-provoking topics like the _smarter _you are the worse you are at communicating. This highly motivational talk is designed to inspire self-confidence and introduces strategies for enhancing personal and professional relationships by simply becoming better at having conversations. Celeste's workshop offers concrete actions to improve attendees' conversational skills and broaden their view of what constitutes a good (and civil) conversation. Communication has increased in our technological age, but meaningful conversation is increasingly rare. Celeste will talk about what prevents us from having productive conversations and the impact that social isolation is having on our business and our health. She also explains the science behind why communicating over email or video conference is often counterproductive.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the fundamentals of better listening and why truly listening is such a critical part of better conversations.
• Recognize when to use video conferencing and when to pick up the phone.
• Recognize how to give advice to others without triggering a defensive reaction.

In today’s dynamic world, each one of us is faced with uncertainty and challenge in an ever-changing work landscape. As professionals and leaders, we strive to contribute to our fullest capabilities while also supporting others to do the same. Often, we’re told to “bring our best selves to work”, but it’s unclear what that actually means – and sometimes it seems difficult to lead authentically given the realities of our environment including pressures to “fit in” and “play the game”. With the further blending of various personal and professional boundaries, the struggle to be authentic is real, and women face unique difficulties. In this candid, conversational keynote, Anne draws from over three decades of direct leadership experiences to share her thoughts on how to embrace your authenticity and focus on unleashing the greatness within you as individuals and as leaders.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify what unique challenges women face and how to work through them.
• Distinguish new perspectives on how to build your resilience and unleash the greatness within you.
• Select new tools to help you prioritize what’s most important to you so you can have the impact you desire.

In this age of technology disruption, everything is changing around us. We sometimes can feel like we don’t know where our anchor is - what will stay the same, what will change, and what we can depend on. We can find that when implementing change in our organization, individual patterns of behavior can show up in ways that prevent the business from making progress and embracing the opportunities ahead. While we are focusing on change management in our organizations and what the future of our work will look like, we should also be spending an equal amount of time creating stronger human connections. With time and dedication, you can learn to become a connected leader who contributes to cultivating an engaging and fulfilling work-life culture for yourself, your team and colleagues. During this talk, Amy will take you on an emotional journey of self reflection. You will discover more compassion for yourself and others, be more mindful as a leader, and improve how you communicate to achieve the desired outcomes together as a team.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how habits and patterns are created in our lives from the time we are young that affect us into our adulthood and the steps to break the ones that don’t serve us.
• Recognize how the ego develops, influences our work lives, and impacts how well we interact with others.
• Identify ways to change your mindset to overcome negativity and replace it with gratitude.
• Indicate ways to create more compassion for the people you work with by creating communities of support to break down barriers and achieve the best results for the organization.

SPEAKING UP & STANDING OUT What would it mean to you if 2024 was the year you were recognised and valued for all of your skills, capabilities and experience? Why do so many women shy away from being more visible, from standing out, and being rewarded and recognised for all the incredible contributions that they make? Having worked with thousands of women over the years we know that things like self-doubt, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, difficulty in communicating your value and worrying about being judged or criticised are often part of the problem. Too many women worry that sharing their value will come across as self-promoting or boastful. But to be noticed, recognised, and rewarded we have to speak up, stand out and advocate for yourself. In this session, we will support you to own the value you bring to the workplace and show you how to amplify that in service of you and your career goals. Walk away with: · Clarity of why it’s important for you to be visible and advocate for yourself · An understanding of what’s holding you back from being seen, recognised, rewarded and appreciated for all that you do; and · Strategies to stand out, get noticed and lead from a place of authentic confidence

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate why it’s important for you to be visible and advocate for yourself.
• Identify what’s holding you back from being seen, recognized, rewarded and appreciated for all that you do.
• Analyze strategies to stand out, get noticed and lead from a place of authentic confidence.

We talk about time management and often neglect to think about the resources our bodies and minds need to meet the demands that are coming at them to accomplish our goals. Ever felt drained after work and family time suffered? Had a fight with your partner and work was harder? Our bodies (mind and emotions included) often are the reason we are not up to the task or experiencing resilience. Let’s orient ourselves to more effectively managing against the everyday stressors and finding ways to thrive.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize your signs of depletion.
• Identify ways of how to utilize emotional energy for replenishment.

Toxic bosses are everywhere. Have you worked with someone labeled as a "toxic" woman boss? Have you been labeled as toxic or difficult to work with? Unfortunately, some women leaders, who we hoped would support and guide those coming behind them, are described as challenging to work with and labeled toxic. Having a toxic boss can be a difficult and stressful experience for any employee. Toxic bosses can cause a lot of harm to an employee's career, as well as their emotional and mental well-being. In this session, we'll address toxic boss behavior, how women can avoid being labeled a toxic boss, and how to manage a toxic boss in your workplace. Disclaimer: This session may unintentionally trigger past emotions and bring up old experiences. This presentation is designed to support and provide insights on this issue.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify behaviors women may have that create a toxic workplace and a toxic management style.
• Use strategies to establish best practices to create a leadership style that allows everyone to thrive at work

During our panel discussion, we'll explore the recent Bentley University report, "Men as Allies: Engaging Men to Advance Women in the Workplace". We'll discuss pipeline opportunities, wage parity, workplace retention and re-entry, and unlocking unconscious bias for inclusive leadership. Join us for a valuable panel discussion on an inspiring topic.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize how to empower business professionals about the positive impacts of gender balance.
• Identify ways to discuss gender equality and how to engage men as professional allies.

We know that women continue to make noteworthy gains; but education, bold leadership, policies and organizational changes are still needed to reach gender parity in the accounting profession. Join us as we discuss how owning your power can lead to greater, more inclusive outcomes in teams, in developing talent and creating high performance - especially for women. Looking back on their careers, the panel will share their personal experiences of imposter syndrome and advice for others about how to overcome it with skills, compelling new thinking, courage, advocacy and self-acceptance. We believe in inclusion and this session is open to all genders, from new joiners to partners, for allies, sponsors and champions and the vast audience will gain insights on how to move their own career plan forward to success.

Learning Objectives:

• Estimate how “Imposter Syndrome” shows up for everyone and how to transform it into a superpower.
• Identify new approaches to leadership and leadership development that take lessons from the past for career planning.
• Recognize critical ways to serve as allies, mentors and sponsors for women.

Join us for an inspiring and empowering session titled "Staying Unstuck: Taking Charge of Your Career and Life for Long-term Success." In a rapidly changing world, it's crucial to develop the skills and mindset needed to navigate your career and life effectively. This session will provide you with practical strategies and insights to break through obstacles, discover your purpose, and maintain long-term success. Our speakers will share their experiences and guide you on the path to personal and professional growth. Don't miss this opportunity to redefine your journey, overcome hurdles, and create a sustainable and fulfilling future.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish your personal and professional goals to help you identify your long-term aspirations.
• Identify practical tools and strategies for overcoming common career and life obstacles, enabling you to stay on the path to success.
• Recognize how to cultivate a resilient and growth-oriented mindset to adapt to change, seize opportunities, and sustain long-term personal and professional achievements.Cultivate a resilient and growth-oriented mindset to adapt to change, seize opportunities, and sustain long-term personal and professional achievements.

Modern leaders and employees are stuck in the never-ending “Stress–Success cycle”. It’s that cycle where we work too hard, stress, obsesses, and worry on our way to achieving goals—then once we achieve them, we just go right back into the cycle again. How often do you or your employees have: Difficulty focusing at work? Racing thoughts before bed? Feelings of stress or anxiety and end up with too many visits to the doctor with no real answers? It’s time to get to the core of the issue and break the Stress-Success Cycle. Dr. Romie’s keynote blends medicine and wellness into her “3 Mindful Steps” and will truly shift your personal and professional lives. This keynote goes into the neuropsychology and mental health syndromes affecting cognitive performance and emotional control—then wraps it all up in easy-to-digest and practical takeaways. Your audience will get Dr. Romie’s science-backed program that everyone can go home with and implement right away for increased mental health and wellness. Let’s change the way your brain and your team functions to create a more successful, balanced, and healthy life.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize Dr. Romie’s "3 Mindful Steps" to create a truly sustainable work-life balance in the brain and at work
• Identify actionable take-home techniques for daily stress management
• Determine science-driven mindfulness protocol to implement into your daily routines

Searching for your first corporate or advisory board? Recently joined a board but you’re not sure what to expect? Join this panel of leaders at various stages of the board journey to hear their first-hand insights. Discover how to assess if you're ready for a board position and how to improve your qualifications. Learn how to create a strong board profile and find board openings through networking and online resources. We'll also cover what to expect in board interviews and how to be an influential board member and add value.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify action items that you could do right now to prepare for your first corporate or advisory board opportunity
• Analyze what it’s like to serve on a board and what skills that boards are seeking
• Determine how you can you make a difference for that particular board and help them to achieve their goals

Do you ever wonder how some leaders radiate energy as they grow their responsibilities and businesses, win recognition and awards, and seemingly do everything everywhere at once? These leaders are high performers at work, at home, and community. How do they get it all done? In this presentation, Lisa M. Ong, CPA, award-winning executive coach, and inclusion and belonging leadership strategist, will share her secrets learned to become bold through her career and from years of coaching leaders who successfully harness the power of strategically "wishing out loud" ®.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize your core values and strengths in your stories to build memorable, trusting connections
• Identify tactical strategies to sustain and grow your network more intentionally
• Estimate how to manage your reputation and digital brand
• Distinguish how to engage the power of wishing out loud in making requests for real-life impact

SUMMARY Generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT, BingChat and Bard have upended what we thought the future would look like. Some folks are excited, some folks are scared, and some folks are just not sure what to think. In this session, we'll discuss what GenAI *can* and *cannot* do, some ways that you can use it to make your life easier, and ways to safely start exploring the technology. TOPICS * Current capabilities of GenAI * Other AI applications that you might not know about * Examples of leveraging GenAI at work * Examples of leveraging GenAI at home * Rules of the Road for safety and data security * Easy ways to get started

Learning Objectives:

• Assess genAI abilities and use cases
• Evaluate data security and genAI
• Categorize additional AI tools

Do you wish you had more hours in the day to get your work done? Do you wish you could hand off work and know it would actually get done in the way that you want? Do you often say, “It will be quicker and easier if I just do it myself.”? This session will help you let go, while helping others develop valuable skills.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine how effectively you focus on the right work – where you can have the biggest impact
• Recognize how you may be holding on to work that others would get valuable experience from
• Apply the five key steps to delegating to keep the monkey off your back (i.e., keep your team from punting the work back to you)
• Choose ways to ensure that your team gives you the end result you expect

As an early- to mid-career accounting professional, knowing how to move up quickly in the field and get involved in more interesting work can feel daunting. If you are further along in your career, feeling unfulfilled and burnt out can make you feel stuck with no clue what to do next. This is especially true for accountants without public accounting experience, where promotions or strategic lateral moves can be challenging. In this workshop, Valerie Mondesir, CPA and author of _Breaking the Spell: Practical Strategies to Eliminate Overthinking, Embrace Change, and Gain the Confidence to Create a New Future_, discusses how to reframe your thinking and develop an unshakeable internal compass to go after what you want in your career, on your terms.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how to map out your career path, build out your experience portfolio, and develop connections to secure the positions you want.
• Recognize how to communicate your intentions and get involved in career-shifting projects all while managing expectations.
• Distinguish how to build an internal toolkit to strengthen your confidence and stop overthinking decisions, big and small, in your professional life.

This session is about specific actions that help us win as working parents. Part of winning the game will be learning new plays—if we keep doing what we’ve always done nothing will change. Some of these plays you could run today, while others may be saved for later. No matter the age of your dependents, you can feel like you are winning at work as a working parent. All the best sports teams make adjustments throughout the game in order to win - we’ll open our playbook and share specific plays that real working parents use to win at work. We’ll tackle the new normal of work from home. The session also provides a space for group-based learning/sharing.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine your “why” for work
• Identify the areas where you need to run a different play
• Apply at least one idea for “winning” to your daily or weekly routine

As human beings, we naturally want to be around people who understand us - our dreams, our needs, our desires, our fears. When we find people who truly get us at work, we bring more of our full selves to what we do, unleash our potential, and truly thrive. This is where the magic happens! During this session, we'll explore what it means to lead your team in this powerful way. Plus, you'll walk away with some practical ideas for how to make the magic happen.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify three benefits to creating an environment of belonging and connection in the workplace.
• Differentiate between the three types of empathy necessary for effective leadership.
• Select three ways to practice empathy as a leader in the workplace.

Do you have it? That intangible attribute of highly sought after professionals who own the Trusted Advisor space with their clients. Discover how to find and enhance your "X" factor and become that sought after most Trusted Advisor. Join Bill Pirolli, past Chair of the AICPA and a 40+ year practitioner as he discusses the intangible attributes necessary to move from compliance to consulting and become your clients most Trusted Advisor. Bill will discuss the difference between management and leadership, how to develop a 360 degree vision, create an entrepreneurial mindset, enhance your meeting and listening skills and more....

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how raising your X factor to become your client's most Trusted Advisor
• Recognize how moving from compliance to consulting

In this session, participants will be guided on how to define success in their own way, honoring the stage of life they are currently in. The mold, or label we have used to define success is probably no longer aligned to where we want to go professionally. Stepping into an authentic leadership role takes courage, and although a small difference, it will make all the difference on the impact that you'll have and influencing others organically inside and outside of work.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine your definition of success and design a roadmap on how to achieve it
• Apply resilience to use the courage you already have, to step into your authentic leadership style

In today's ever-changing professional landscape, career growth requires more than just adapting to change––it demands self-mastery. Discover practical strategies and real-world examples that highlight the integral link between self-mastery and career success. Learn how to unleash your five hidden powers and integrate them into your leadership toolkit to enhance adaptability, resilience, and decision-making abilities. Gain insights into leveraging your strengths, overcoming barriers, and unlocking the keys to mastering adaptive leadership.

Learning Objectives:

• Choose how to enhance adaptability, resilience, and decision-making abilities
• Use insights into leveraging strengths
• Identify ways to overcome barriers and master adaptive leadership in times of challenge and uncertainty

Prosperity is born through intention and attention. In our time together we will examine our businesses through the eyes of our prospects, customers, and champions. Through this lens we will be able to identify our opportunities for change and disruption to ignite our next prosperous path. No matter how you define prosperity from more time with friends and family, to financial growth or anything in between we will help you unlock the areas you can lean into for intentional prosperity to curate the business that brings you joy.

Learning Objectives:

• Estimate how effectively you focus on the right work – where you can have the biggest impact
• Recognize how you may be holding on to work that others would get valuable experience from
• Identify the five key steps to delegating to keep the monkey off your back (i.e., keep your team from punting the work back to you)

For over a decade, Donna Hoffman, the Founder of Women on Course, has been leading the way in inspiring women to utilize golf as a powerful tool for business and social networking. Through her organization, she aims to help women feel confident and comfortable connecting and developing professionally in a golf lifestyle environment. Golf provides unique opportunities for connecting with decision-makers in the business world and opening doors for career advancement. By stepping away from the computer and picking up a golf club, businesswomen can enhance their networking efforts and unlock new possibilities. By embracing golf as a vehicle for business and networking, you can unlock new opportunities and expand your professional circle. Don't miss out on the chance to learn and discover the benefits of incorporating golf into your career development journey.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine the value of golf for business.
• Analzye transferable skills from the golf course to your business and personal life.
• Identify any intimidation you feel about golf and find the time to pursue this valuable networking avenue.

Creating an inclusive culture is a business imperative for organizations to face the many challenges of a hybrid work environment and an increasingly more diverse, global, and scarce workforce. This session will discuss why fostering an inclusive culture is critical to attract and retain your top talent in your organization and how you as a leader and/or team member can foster belonging and connection on your teams.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the importance of an inclusive culture.
• Determine why the feeling of belonging is critical to both individuals and organizations.
• Analyze how organizations and individuals can evolve, elevate and excel for the benefit of everyone.

Eager for the next level in your professional journey but needing something extra to get there? Wondering if you’re ready for a leadership gig? Ready for leadership but facing limited opportunities in your organization? This is your session! Volunteer board and committee membership is an excellent opportunity to build career-defining leadership skills, support your community and develop lifelong connections. Meaningful volunteer opportunities provide safe spaces to test your strengths, incubate ideas, develop in weak areas, and hone leadership qualities that translate into on-the-job successes. In this session, three seasoned leaders share how their transformative volunteer experiences led to self-discovery, skill building, opportunity, and the confidence to lead within their organizations. They’ll talk candidly about what every emerging leader should consider including: why they chose volunteering, how they got started, finding the right opportunity and what they discovered about themselves that made them stronger leaders. Learn from their stories and fill your tool kit with how-to’s, possibilities and strategies.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the magic of transformation – how boards/committees can ignite the leader in you.
• Identify strategies for transferring authentic volunteer experiences into on-the-job leadership.
• Estimate how to overcome the fear of stepping out and stepping up.
• Indicate how to bring it all together in the real world: balancing work, life, and boards/committees
• Select your next step by mapping it out

Most CPAs today realize that they can grow their practice when they are able to eloquently demonstrate their high level of expertise. Providing informational presentations to your target audience is a very effective way to establish yourself as an expert, foster rapport with decision-makers and develop long-term relationships with those “in the room” – _when you know what to do and how to do it._ Conversely, giving a boring or poor presentation can hold long-term negative ramifications that can hurt yours – and your firm’s – reputation. Most accountants at all levels are being asked to contribute to the success of their firm through some form of presentations – internal CPE, pitching a prospective client or addressing small groups in some way or another. But few CPAs possess polished skills when it comes to creating outlines, delivering key points, telling engaging stories, appropriately using audio-visual aids (such as PowerPoint) and most importantly, engaging in pre and post event activities, which can significantly leverage your speaking opportunities.

Learning Objectives:

• Select a concise, meaningful introduction
• Identify the basics of compelling story-telling
• Determine how to engage audience participation
• Recognize relaxation Techniques to calm the nerves
• Identify an outline, learn how to pitch your presentation and identify what to do before & after your presentation

Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine with the goal of improving and maintaining health and wellbeing. It has both psychological and physical components and involves the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movement and posture.

Opportunities for women in accounting have only expanded over the last few years. While historically, leadership positions have been rather homogeneous – much like other tech-heavy industries – these organizations are starting to rethink how they’re structured, hiring, and leveraging technology to drive growth. They’re even starting to be led by a more diverse group of people. Now and in the future, non-traditional career paths will only increase, and organizations as individuals place other priorities first. Firms, in particular, need to recognize, plan for, and support non-traditional career paths, particularly those in data, analytics, and other new and emerging technologies. So how does an industry that has notoriously struggled with a lack of diversity and tends to resist change support alternative career paths and take advantage of the benefits that come with a diverse leadership team? How can individuals be successful while championing continued progress in the industry? What opportunities are there for accountants and CPAs who are interested in less traditional career paths? Join Cathy Rowe, Vice President and Segment Leader of the Professional Market, Colleen Knuff, Vice President of Product Management for Audit, and Erin Leckie, Director of Technology for Tax, as they discuss the choices that led them to careers in the accounting technology industry, and how their experience in accounting and as CPAs contributed to where they are today. Gain insights from this powerful group of women as they share their unique journeys to success, explore how they balance achievement and success, and offer practical advice for anyone aspiring to thrive in tech-heavy fields such as accounting, finance, and accounting technology.

So how does an industry that has notoriously struggled with a lack of diversity and tends to resist change support alternative career paths and take advantage of the benefits that come with a diverse leadership team? How can individuals be successful while championing continued progress in the industry? What opportunities are there for accountants and CPAs who are interested in less traditional career paths?

Join Cathy Rowe, Vice President and Segment Leader of the Professional Market, Colleen Knuff, Vice President of Product Management for Audit, and Erin Leckie, Director of Technology for Tax, as they discuss the choices that led them to careers in the accounting technology industry, and how their experience in accounting and as CPAs contributed to where they are today.

Gain insights from this powerful group of women as they share their unique journeys to success, explore how they balance achievement and success, and offer practical advice for anyone aspiring to thrive in tech-heavy fields such as accounting, finance, and accounting technology.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify non-traditional career paths that are open to CPAs and non-CPAs alike. The career ladder is a misnomer; each person’s path to success should be individualized to support their needs.
• Recognize strategies for balancing authenticity and success. It is possible to be authentic to who you are and be successful in your chosen field.
• Indicate effective mentoring and support strategies. To continue to affect change, when we succeed, it’s important to reach back and pull others up with us.

According to a recent survey by Ernst & Young, one-third of full-time workers globally say that managing work-life has become increasingly difficult. Workers revealed that they are working longer hours and more demanding than ever, leaving little time for much else. One could argue that we're living in a golden age of workplace stress, mainly due to the changing role of work in our lives. When work and life blend, how can employees achieve an equilibrium that supports their physical, emotional, and mental health? It's time to resist the binary construction that is work-life and consider a new framework altogether. This talk explores the transition from chronic overwhelm to sustainable high performance.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize 12 stages of burnout (and which ones they're going through).
• Identify the negative consequences of stress on themselves and others.
• Recall how to prevent burnout and achieve more using a simple 6-step method.

Negotiation is a skill that can bring significant value for everyone, yet women are far less likely to engage in the practice. With good reason. Studies and anecdotes galore tell us that women are often penalized for negotiating. In 2001, only 7% of women negotiated their first salary compared to 57% of men. Labeled aggressive instead of assertive or attracting the dreaded b-word, they fear the process for fear of retaliation. Are women terrible negotiators? No. In fact, as expert communicator and negotiator Fotini Iconomopoulos shares, the opposite is true. Women’s superior trust and empathy skills make them ideal negotiators. Often they just need to work on their confidence and employ some subtle communication strategies to get what they want — without that dreaded label. Listen to Fotini share her negotiation war stories and how she overcame gender and age discrimination to go on to be the expert that Fortune 500 executives seek out for their high stakes scenarios. You’ll leave with the motivation and confidence and the knowledge to tackle your next negotiation with ease.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize why women are ideal negotiators
• Identify new skills for high-stakes conversations
• Recall new motivation and confidence for negotiating successfully

Women in the accounting profession are part of a growing number of women who are their family's breadwinner, or they are the first women in their family to earn well over $100,000/year. Although women in accounting are among 70% of high-income earners, they are still impacted by financial stressors. Managing the role of breadwinner with the roles of spouse, partner or parent, and employee may add additional stress on women. In this session, Danetha Doe will discuss the how to reduce financial stress by practicing an abundance mindset to eliminate stress and worry. In her fun and uplifting talk, you will learn the science behind your money mindset and uncover any thoughts of scarcity, reduce financial stress, and unlock your abundance.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize three steps to shift from a scarcity money mindset to abundance mindset.
• Recall practical ways to reduce financial stress even if you are a high earner.