AGENDA 2026

EmpowHER:con Women’s Conference & Expo
Date: Thursday,  April 30, 2026
Location: Northwest Arkansas Convention Center, Springdale, AR

Morning:

• 8:00–9:00 AM – Check-In / Networking / Coffee Connection , Headshots (Small Breakout Room),  Expo Booths (back of rooms)

• 9:00–9:20 AM – Morning Kickoff – Rachel Cox, CEO of Dress for Success NWA CEO 

• 9:20–9:50 AM – Morning Keynote Speaker – Wai-Fung Thompson, Senior Vice President, People & Culture, Americas at ITG Brands

• 9:50–10:00 AM – Networking Break / Exhibitor Booths / Headshots

• 10:00–10:45 AM – Breakout Sessions 1:
  • Breakout 1  – Generational Communication in the Workforce Panel

Today’s workplace brings together four distinct generations, each shaped by different cultural moments, communication styles, and expectations around leadership, feedback, and collaboration. This panel features voices from the Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z generations sharing real experiences navigating communication across age groups—what works, what gets lost in translation, and how assumptions can impact team dynamics. Attendees will gain practical insight into bridging generational gaps, building mutual respect, and strengthening workplace culture through more intentional, inclusive communication.

• • Breakout 2 – Owning Your Time: Time-Blocking & Boundaries

In a world that constantly demands more, protecting your time is both a strategy and a statement. This session explores practical tools like time-blocking, energy mapping, and boundary-setting to help you take control of your calendar instead of reacting to it. We’ll talk about the emotional side of overcommitment, the pressure to always be available, and how to say no with confidence and clarity. Walk away with tangible systems to structure your day, protect your focus, and lead your life with intention—at work and at home.

• • Breakout 3  –  The Power of Mentorship (mentor/mentee) 

• • Breakout 4 – LinkedIn for Beginners

New to LinkedIn or not sure how to use it beyond a digital résumé? This beginner-friendly session will walk you through the essentials of building a strong profile, telling your professional story, and making meaningful connections. Learn how to showcase your skills, grow your network, explore opportunities, and use LinkedIn as a tool for visibility and career advancement. Whether you’re job searching, changing paths, or simply wanting to strengthen your professional presence, this session will give you the confidence and practical steps to get started.

• • Breakout 5 (Main Ballroom) – Mental Health First Aid at Work Panel

Mental health impacts every workplace, yet many leaders and employees feel unprepared to respond when someone is struggling. This panel brings together professionals who will discuss what Mental Health First Aid looks like in real-world work environments—how to recognize early warning signs, respond with confidence and compassion, and connect individuals to appropriate support. We’ll explore the balance between empathy and accountability, reducing stigma, and creating cultures where people feel safe asking for help. Attendees will leave with practical language, clearer boundaries, and a deeper understanding of how to support mental well-being at work without stepping outside their role.

• 11:00–11:45 AM – Breakout Sessions 2:
  • Breakout 1 – Starting Your Own Business Panel

Thinking about launching something of your own—or already in the early stages and figuring it out as you go? This panel brings together women who have taken the leap into entrepreneurship to share honest insights about getting started, navigating risk, building sustainable revenue, and learning through trial and error. From mindset and funding to branding, boundaries, and burnout, panelists will speak candidly about what it really takes to move from idea to action. Attendees will leave with practical guidance, encouragement, and a clearer picture of the path to building a business that aligns with both purpose and livelihood.

• • Breakout 2 – The Importance of Allies and Representation

Representation shapes what we believe is possible—and allies help ensure more voices are seen, heard, and valued along the way. In this session, a featured speaker will explore how advocacy, visibility, and intentional support create more equitable workplaces and communities. Through personal insight and real-world examples, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of what meaningful allyship looks like in action, why representation matters at every level of leadership, and how each of us can use our influence to open doors for others. This conversation invites reflection, responsibility, and the courage to stand beside—and speak up for—one another.

• • Breakout 3 –The Future of Work: AI & Women’s Careers Panel

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we work, hire, create, and lead—bringing both new opportunities and new challenges for women in the workforce. This panel brings together professionals across industries to explore how AI is influencing career paths, skill demands, leadership opportunities, and workplace equity. Panelists will share practical insights on staying relevant, building future-ready skills, and using emerging technology as a tool for advancement rather than a barrier. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what’s ahead and how women can position themselves to thrive in an AI-driven world.

• • Breakout 4 – Personal Branding for Women Leaders

Your personal brand is more than a logo or a LinkedIn headline—it’s how your voice, values, and leadership show up consistently in every room you enter. In this session, our speaker will guide women leaders through the process of defining their professional identity, communicating their expertise with clarity, and building visibility in ways that feel authentic and aligned. Attendees will gain practical strategies for strengthening credibility, owning their narrative, and positioning themselves for new opportunities, influence, and impact without compromising who they are.

• • Breakout 5 – Boundaries as a Workforce Strategy Panel In today’s fast-paced, high-demand work environments, boundaries are no longer just a personal wellness tool—they are a critical workforce strategy. This panel brings together leaders and professionals to explore how setting, communicating, and honoring boundaries can improve performance, prevent burnout, and create healthier, more sustainable careers.Panelists will share real-world insights on navigating expectations, advocating for yourself in the workplace, and building cultures that respect both productivity and people. Attendees will walk away with practical tools to implement boundaries that support both personal well-being and professional success.
    

Lunch: sponsored by Torchy’s Tacos

• 12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch + Empowerment Panel: Success Ambassadors

• 1:00 – 2:00 PM – Breakout Sessions 3:
  • Breakout 1 – Neurodivergence in the Workforce Panel

Neurodivergent professionals bring creativity, innovation, and unique problem-solving strengths to the workplace—yet many still navigate environments that weren’t designed with them in mind. This panel brings together voices with lived experience and professional insight to discuss ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, and other forms of neurodivergence in work settings. Panelists will explore communication, accommodations, leadership, and how organizations can better support diverse ways of thinking and working. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of inclusion in action and practical ideas for creating workplaces where neurodivergent talent can thrive.

• • Breakout 2 – LinkedIn Advanced: Networking, Thought Leadership & Job Search

Ready to move beyond the basics and use LinkedIn as a strategic career tool? This session dives into advanced techniques for building meaningful professional relationships, positioning yourself as a thought leader, and using the platform to uncover and attract new opportunities. A featured speaker will share practical strategies for content creation, engagement, recruiter visibility, and job search optimization—helping you turn your presence into influence. Attendees will leave with clear next steps to elevate their brand, expand their network, and leverage LinkedIn with intention and impact.

• • Breakout 3 – Second Acts: Navigating Seasons of Womanhood in the Workforce Panel

Careers are rarely linear—especially for women. From early ambition to motherhood, caregiving, reinvention, empty nesting, career pivots, and rediscovery, each season brings both challenge and possibility. This panel gathers women who have navigated meaningful transitions in their professional lives to share honest reflections on resilience, identity shifts, confidence rebuilding, and redefining success. Attendees will gain insight into honoring the season they’re in, embracing change without shame, and stepping into their next chapter with clarity and courage.

• • Breakout 4 – Chair Yoga + Sound Bowl Stress Reset

Step away from the noise and reconnect with your breath, body, and mind. This restorative session combines gentle chair yoga with the calming resonance of sound bowls to help release tension, regulate the nervous system, and restore focus. Designed for all mobility levels and experience backgrounds, participants will be guided through simple, grounding movements and immersive sound to support stress relief and mental clarity. Leave feeling centered, refreshed, and better equipped to carry calm and intention into the rest of your day.

• • Breakout 5 – Beyond the Algorithm: How Women Are Using TikTok to Build Powerful Brands
    TikTok has become more than a platform—it’s a powerful business tool. In this panel, women creators and entrepreneurs share how they’ve leveraged TikTok to grow authentic brands, build communities, and turn visibility into real opportunity.From content strategy and storytelling to monetization and brand partnerships, panelists will offer practical insights on how to stand out, stay consistent, and build influence beyond the algorithm. Whether you’re just starting or ready to scale, this session will leave you with actionable strategies to grow your brand with intention.

• 2:10 – 3:00 PM – Breakout Sessions 4:
  • Breakout 1 – Imposter Syndrome Detox Panel

Even the most accomplished women can struggle with self-doubt, overworking, and the feeling that they have to prove they belong. In this candid panel, women from diverse industries will share their experiences navigating imposter syndrome and the internal narratives that often hold high achievers back. Together, they’ll explore practical ways to rebuild confidence, own expertise, and move forward without waiting for permission or perfection. Attendees will leave with language, perspective, and tangible strategies to quiet self-doubt and lead with greater clarity, courage, and self-trust.

• • Breakout 2 – Public Speaking & Elevator Speech Workshop

Your voice is one of your most powerful professional tools. This interactive workshop will help you communicate your ideas with clarity, confidence, and purpose—whether you’re introducing yourself, pitching an idea, or speaking in front of a room. Participants will learn how to craft a compelling elevator speech, manage nerves, strengthen delivery, and connect authentically with an audience. Walk away with practical techniques and a refined message you can use immediately in networking, leadership, and career-defining moments.

• • Breakout 3 – Building a Better Team Culture Panel

Strong team culture doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through intentional leadership, clear communication, shared accountability, and trust. In this engaging panel, leaders and team builders will discuss what it truly takes to cultivate workplaces where people feel valued, motivated, and aligned around a common mission. From navigating conflict and feedback to reinforcing values and protecting morale during change, panelists will share real-world lessons and practical strategies. Attendees will leave with actionable insight to strengthen collaboration, increase engagement, and create environments where both people and performance can thrive.

• • Breakout 4 – Money Matters: Financial Wellness & Salary Negotiation

Financial confidence is a cornerstone of long-term stability and career growth. In this session, a featured speaker will break down the essentials of financial wellness—from understanding your value and managing money with intention to navigating salary conversations with clarity and confidence. Attendees will learn practical strategies for budgeting, setting financial goals, and preparing for negotiations in a way that feels informed and empowered. Walk away with tools and language to advocate for your worth and make financial decisions that support both your present needs and future goals.

• • Breakout 5 – What Recruiters Want You to Know Panel

Hiring has evolved—and understanding how recruiters think can give you a powerful advantage. In this insider panel, talent professionals share what actually stands out in applications, interviews, and online presence, and what quietly gets candidates overlooked. From résumé trends and LinkedIn signals to communication, follow-up, and culture fit, panelists will offer candid insight into today’s hiring landscape. Attendees will leave with practical guidance to position themselves more competitively, communicate their value with confidence, and navigate the job search process with greater clarity and strategy.

• 3:10 – 4:00 PM – Breakout Sessions 5:
  • Breakout 1 – Speed Round Robin Business Pitch & Networking (Signature 2026 Feature) | Leadership & Networking

Fast-paced, energizing, and designed for real connection—this signature experience brings attendees together for a dynamic round-robin of mini business pitches and intentional networking. Participants will rotate through quick, structured conversations to share who they are, what they do, and how they lead, collaborate, or support others professionally. Whether you’re growing a business, exploring opportunities, or expanding your circle, this session is built to spark meaningful introductions and momentum. Come prepared to practice your pitch, make strategic connections, and leave with relationships that extend well beyond the conference.

• • Breakout 2 – Burnout & Compassion Fatigue: Finding Resilience

When you care deeply about your work, it can be easy to give more than you have. This session explores the difference between stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue—especially for women who lead, serve, and carry both professional and personal responsibilities. Through practical tools and reflective insight, attendees will learn how to recognize early warning signs, restore energy, set sustainable boundaries, and rebuild resilience without guilt. Walk away with strategies to protect your well-being while continuing to show up with purpose, strength, and clarity.

• • Breakout 3 – Breaking Barriers: Women in Male-Dominated Fields Panel

Women are reshaping industries where they have historically been underrepresented—and redefining leadership along the way. This panel brings together trailblazers from fields such as STEM, construction, manufacturing, and other traditionally male-dominated sectors to share their journeys, challenges, and hard-earned lessons. Panelists will discuss navigating bias, building credibility, advocating for advancement, and finding allies in unexpected places. Attendees will leave inspired by real stories of resilience and equipped with practical insight on how to step confidently into spaces where they may be the only woman in the room—and thrive there.

• • Breakout 4 – Confidence Workshop: From Self-Doubt to Self-Trust

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build through awareness, action, and self-trust. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the roots of self-doubt, the pressure to be perfect, and the internal narratives that can keep women from fully owning their voice and leadership. Through guided reflection and practical tools, attendees will learn how to reframe limiting beliefs, strengthen self-advocacy, and make decisions from a place of clarity rather than fear. Walk away with grounded strategies to lead, speak, and show up with greater confidence in every area of your life and work.

• • Breakout 5 – The Science of Upward Mobility Panel

Upward mobility is shaped by more than ambition—it’s influenced by access, networks, skill development, economic trends, and the systems that surround us. This panel brings together experts and lived-experience voices to explore what truly drives career and income advancement for women today. From education pathways and mentorship to workplace policies and opportunity gaps, panelists will unpack the research and real-life strategies behind moving forward. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the factors that support mobility and practical insight on how to navigate—and leverage—them in their own careers.

• 4:00–4:30 PM – Closing Remarks & Raffle Winners
  Headshots remain open until 4:30