This keynote addresses the unseen, often unspoken burdens women carry on their journey to success—the mental load. From being the “first and only” in male-dominated spaces to navigating societal expectations as women in leadership, the weight can feel overwhelming. Add to this the relentless drive for perfectionism, the superwoman complex, and the tension and impact between being as successful—or even more successful—than men, and it’s no wonder many women feel stretched too thin.

This session challenges the narrative that women must “do it all” to succeed and thrive. Instead, it invites attendees to embrace a revolutionary concept: do 10 percent less. Women can reclaim their sense of worth, joy, and balance by intentionally redirecting that energy back to themselves. The talk provides actionable strategies to create support systems, set firm yet compassionate boundaries, and navigate feelings of isolation or undesirability that may arise when stepping fully into their power.

Together, we will explore how to let go of the pressure to play small. This is not about doing more—it’s about choosing differently and unapologetically prioritizing your well-being while inspiring others to do the same.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the invisible burdens women face in their pursuit of success.
• Identify practical techniques for intentionally doing 10% less while maintaining productivity, focus, and effectiveness.
• Identify strategies for creating a reliable network of support and setting clear, compassionate boundaries.
• Identify a sustainable, self-directed approach to success that prioritizes well-being, authenticity, and balance.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing up across accounting. Now is the time to learn what matters and how to use it. In 75 minutes we map the highest leverage use cases, then demo live collaborations: inbox triage, meeting to actions, a valuable set of accounting use cases, and more. You leave with a glossary, repeatable workflows, and quick wins to save time this week. Built for women who want practical leverage, not tech talk.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize where AI creates leverage in daily work.
• Distinguish any task as assist, automate, or ignore.
• Recognize how to convert AI outputs into client-ready deliverables.
• Recognize generative AI’s usefulness in brainstorming a wide variety of accounting topics.

Join us for virtual speed networking over lunch!

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize common triggers of self-doubt and the inner critic.
• Identify proven strategies to reframe negative self-talk, replace self-limiting beliefs, and navigate high-stakes situations with greater self-assurance.
• Identify a personalized action plan to manage self-doubt in key professional moments.

Join us for a dance lesson with Nancy during your break!

In today’s competitive accounting landscape, technical expertise alone isn’t enough. To elevate your influence and advance your career, cultivating strong business development (BD) habits is essential. But for many women in accounting, BD can feel overwhelming or even misaligned with how we naturally build trust and relationships. This session will demystify the process and offer actionable tools to help you identify the right clients, manage pursuits with intention, follow up effectively, and close with confidence—by tapping into the emotional intelligence, empathy, and relational strengths that many women already bring to the table.

Designed as a practical, hands-on session, we’ll walk through:

• Common BD myths—and replace them with mindset shifts that support confidence, clarity, and action.

• How to spot your “ideal client” by asking the right questions—to uncover whether they value the expertise and service you bring to the table.

• Ways to initiate and nurture authentic business development conversations—by using your natural communication style and building connections in ways that feel genuine and sustainable.

• What it takes to lead a pursuit from interest to close, including tips for staying strategic, top of mind and organized.

• Effective follow-up techniques that feel natural, not salesy.

• Client expansion strategies to turn current engagements into deeper, more valuable relationships.

Whether you’re new to BD or looking to sharpen your edge, you’ll leave this session with a repeatable, low-pressure system to integrate BD into your weekly rhythm—and build a pipeline that reflects your value, expertise, and personal style.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common myths about business development that may discourage engagement.
• Recognize ideal client opportunities by asking strategic questions that reveal alignment between client needs and your unique value proposition.
• Identify personalized approaches for initiating and nurturing business development conversations.
• Identify a repeatable framework for managing client pursuits and expansion.

Assertiveness in women is often confused for aggression. Part of that is on the end of the receiver's perceptions but a good portion of that is how we prepare ourselves to be assertive. We will differentiate between assertiveness and collaboration vs aggression and competition (don't forget passive aggressiveness). We will calm our initial reaction to perceived threats, collect our message and assertively deliver that. Yes, we will talk feedback too.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify one’s style of communication from passive to aggressive.
• Identify how to phrase assertively.
• Distinguish how to give effective feedback.
• Recognize how to receive feedback well.

Join us for Yoga during your lunch break!

Building a strong network is essential for emerging professionals - especially women. Join us for an engaging session that highlights the power of sisterhood and community among women in the accounting field.

This interactive workshop will empower you to cultivate meaningful connections that can propel your career forward. During this session, you’ll have the opportunity to meet fellow attendees, share experiences, and discover the benefit of mentorship relationships.

Additionally, you’ll participate in a brief visioning exercise, where you’ll outline key career goals and the support you need to achieve them. This focused reflection will help you clarify your aspirations and identify ways to leverage your network.

We’ll discuss actionable strategies for leveraging your network, seeking mentorship, and actively participating in professional organizations that prioritize women’s advancement in accounting. By the end of this session, you’ll leave equipped with practical tools, a vibrant network of supportive peers, and the inspiration to navigate your career with confidence.

Join us to unlock the potential of sisterhood in accounting and pave the way for your career success!

Learning Objectives:

• Identify effective strategies for building and leveraging professional networks.
• Identify key career aspirations and the support needed to achieve those goals.
• Indicate actionable plans to create and nurture a supportive environment that encourages collaboration and empowerment among women in the profession.