Jeannine explores the unseen—and often unspoken—burdens women carry on their path to success, including the mental load that accompanies leadership and growth. From being the "first and only" in many 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, 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.

Looking to gain new insights or advice from experienced professionals? Join us for Virtual Speed Mentoring during lunch on Day 1. In this interactive session, attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with mentors for a series of brief conversations focused on career growth, leadership, industry trends, or real world challenges.

Come prepared with questions, ideas, or topics you’d like guidance on. This is your chance to gain valuable insights and make meaningful professional connections.

Many high-achieving professionals struggle with the inner critic—that persistent voice of self-doubt that questions their abilities, minimizes accomplishments, and holds them back from stepping into leadership moments with confidence. A KPMG study found that 75% of women executives have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. Whether it’s saying "yes" to extra tasks to prove your worth, hesitating to pursue new opportunities, or feeling like you’re constantly falling short, the inner critic can be a major barrier to professional growth. But here’s the truth: your inner critic may feel real, but it’s not reality—it’s a learned pattern of self-doubt shaped by perception. The good news? Because it’s learned, it can be unlearned.

This interactive session provides practical tools to quiet your inner critic, reframe self-doubt, and step into high-stakes moments with confidence. Facilitated by Kate Boorer and Fiona Pearman, authors of Core Confidence, this session will help you challenge limiting beliefs, shift default thought patterns, and step into leadership and life with confidence.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize and analyze common triggers of self-doubt and the inner critic, understanding its impact on decision-making, leadership, and career progression.

• Apply proven strategies to reframe negative self-talk, replace self-limiting beliefs with confidence-building narratives, and navigate high-stakes situations with greater self-assurance.

• Develop a personalized action plan to manage self-doubt in key professional moments, such as presentations, leadership roles, and career opportunities.

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 offers a practical approach to business development that demystifies the process and makes it more accessible, authentic, and sustainable. You’ll learn actionable tools to identify the right clients, manage opportunities with intention, follow up effectively, and close with confidence, by building on the strengths many women already bring to the table, including curiosity, empathy, and relationship-building.

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

• Common misconceptions about business development and how they quietly hold talented professionals back
• How to think differently about business development so it aligns with how you already build trust and credibility with clients
• How to ask high-gain questions in business development conversations that build trust and uncover the full opportunity
• How the sales experience itself can become a point of differentiation and help you win more of the right work
• How to show up more intentionally in business development conversations without changing your personality or style
• Practical ways to stay visible and valuable with prospects and clients even with a full client workload
• How to approach follow-up and client growth with confidence, clarity, and purpose

Whether you’re new to BD or looking to sharpen your edge, you’ll leave this session with a repeatable, low-pressure approach to integrate business development into your weekly rhythm and a clearer sense of what actually makes the difference between being qualified and being chosen.

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 a short self-defense class with Jeff Cook. 

What if the life
you want isn’t out of reach—it’s just on the other side of refusing to settle?

In this powerful,
story-driven session, Nesha Pai shares her journey from walking
away from a toxic boss to building a thriving business, facing breakdowns,
loss, and even cancer — and how each challenge revealed the power of not
settling.

Through a mix of
personal storytelling and guided reflection, you’ll uncover where you’ve been
playing small, rewrite the stories that have held you back, and identify the
brave steps that will move you forward.

You’ll leave not
just inspired — but equipped to live boldly, lead authentically, and design a
life aligned with your highest vision.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify where you’ve been settling in your life.
• Reconnect with your authentic voice and reclaim the parts of you you’ve silenced.
• Learn how to transform setbacks into fuel for growth.

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 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 in the profession.

The majority of workplaces have 4 generations of employees, with Gen Z expected to represent more than a quarter of the workforce in 2025. In this evolving workplace environment, it’s imperative for employers to understand what each generation needs and expects. In this leadership course, we’ll embrace the saying, “age is just a number,” and learn to navigate generational differences with confidence and respect. Participants will gain insights into the values, communication styles, and motivations of different age groups. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding, leaders will learn to harness the unique strengths of each generation and lead their teams to greater success.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the values and priorities of workers of all generations.
• Identify communication and leadership skills to bridge generational divides and foster teamwork and collaboration.
• Identify inclusive work environment strategies where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.