Keynote:
Navigating Organizational Politics

Author of “The Organizational Politics Playbook”, Allison is an organizational consultant with more than thirty years of experience working with and in higher education. She will share practical strategies to identify and manage institutional politics.

Left Behind or Lifted Up? Training People, Building Confidence, and Partnering with AI

Artificial intelligence is moving fast, but many professionals in higher education feel like they are being left behind. In this practical and interactive session, Becky Keogh explores how institutions can approach AI adoption by centering people, not just tools. Through real examples, critical thinking strategies, and low-barrier ways to begin, participants will reflect on how they use AI (or do not), what is holding them back, and how to support their teams. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to help them train staff, build comfort, and treat AI as a partner in their work rather than just a machine that produces output.

Voices of Leadership

As Chief Financial Officer at Macalester College, Patricia will share her career journey and insights into leading finance at a small, private liberal arts institution

Influencing: The Hidden Skill of Success

As leaders in an academic institution, members of administrative functions must often lead with influence.  Carlie will share strategies to influentially accomplish broader goals. 

Leading From Within: Unlocking Insight Through Shifting Inner Narratives

Negative internal narratives can be our self-imposed barrier to success, often sabotaging ourselves.  This session will focus on changing that internal dialog, through a combination of education and table-top exercise. 

Career Journey

As Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration & Chief Administration Officer at WASHU, Nichol is responsible for managing a broad portfolio in support of a large, private AAU institution.  Nichol will share insights, including her career journey, that spans the corporate world and both public and private higher education.  She will share actionable strategies to engage and strengthen management within the academy.

The Discomfort Zone: Where Real Growth Happens

True leadership and personal development begin at the edge of your comfort zone. In this engaging and interactive session, Amber Straatman and Elizabeth Damasky explore how discomfort can be a powerful catalyst for growth. Drawing on models like the Comfort/Stretch/Panic Zone and Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset, participants will learn to reframe discomfort as valuable data, embrace micro-bravery, and build support systems that make risk-taking sustainable. Attendees will leave with practical tools to help them lead with courage, foster resilience, and create a culture of continuous learning.

Lead Like a Woman: The Go-Giver Advantage 

In this engaging and reflective session, Tondee Lutterman and Colby Jensen explore the five keys to legendary leadership from The Go-Giver Leader through the lens of women’s natural leadership strengths. You’ll discover how to lead with vision, empower others, model integrity, stay grounded in your values, and multiply your impact by giving leadership away. Through real-world stories, interactive exercises, and practical insights, you’ll walk away with a renewed sense of purpose—and actionable ways to lead with generosity, authenticity, and influence.

Women’s Leadership Panel

Women Leaders will discuss aspects of leadership, barriers to success, and strategies to overcome and succeed.

Panel speakers:

• Lisa Frace (MSU)
• Nichol Luoma (WASHU)
• Lori Nortrup (Follett).

Fuel Your Joy, Find Your Edge: The Science of Happiness and the Future of Women's Leadership

What if success didn’t lead to happiness—but happiness led to success?

In this dynamic keynote, we’ll explore how the latest research in positive psychology and organizational behavior—led by thought leaders like Shawn Achor and Adam Grant—offers a transformative lens on leadership, fulfillment, and achievement. Designed specifically for you, this session offers actionable tools to ignite personal joy, elevate professional performance, and build more connected, purpose-driven networks.

Through evidence-based practices and real-world insights, we’ll examine how happiness is not a byproduct of success, but a powerful driver of it. You’ll learn how to:

• Rewire your mindset for authentic optimism and resilience
• Amplify your strengths while expanding the impact of your network
• Lead with joy, compassion, and clarity—even in high-stakes environments

Together, we’ll create space to celebrate the success of other women—without comparison, scarcity, or burnout. This is a call to move beyond surviving in our careers and toward thriving—as individuals and as a collective.