The Indiana Conference for Women helps women build careers, create companies and experience lives that are rewarding, healthy and fulfilling.
More than 2,000 people will be attending the ninth annual conference featuring keynote speakers Rachael Ray, television personality and bestselling author; Dr. Tererai Trent, author, humanitarian, educator and scholar; and Miki and Radha Agrawal, twin sister entrepreneurs and authors.
Featured breakout session speakers include:
Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, one of the nation’s leading health authorities and bestselling author, as a breakout session speaker. She is the nutrition and healthy lifestyle expert for NBC’s TODAY Show and host of NBC’s Health + Happiness. Bauer is also a monthly columnist for Woman’s Day magazine, official nutritionist for the New York City Ballet and the creator of JoyBauer.com. She has published 14 books, most recently a children’s book titled Yummy Yoga which communicates a true passion of Bauer’s—encouraging young kids to try healthy new foods and energizing exercise in a playful and engaging format. Bauer will present during both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Sheri Salata, for 20 years, gave her undivided focus to her dream job at the Oprah Winfrey Show, Harpo Studios and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). During her time there, she had access to the most influential and prolific teachers and wisdom keepers. Salata helped millions transform their lives and shaped some of the most memorable and moving stories on television. But at 56-years-old, she found herself ready and willing to rewrite the story of her own life. Sheri writes in her new memoir, The Beautiful No: And Other Tales of Trial, Transcendence, and Transformation, “I had manifested the career of my dreams but not the life of my dreams.” She is now cofounder of the inspirational lifestyle brand The Pillar Life and cohost of the brand’s accompanying podcast, The Sheri + Nancy Show. Salata will present during both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Other breakout session speakers include:
Sam Horn, author, communication strategist and executive coach, founder and CEO of the Intrigue Agency, which helps people design and deliver intriguing communications. She has helped hundreds of people create one-of-a-kind books – including Someday is Not a Day in the Week, brands, TEDx talks, funding pitches and high-stakes presentations. Horn is on a mission to help others create the life, work and relationships of their dreams. Her four books have been featured in New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company and on NPR. In addition to serving as a breakout speaker, Horn will introduce the morning keynote session speakers who are her twin daughters, Miki and Radha Agrawal, entrepreneurs and authors.
The late Dr. Jenni Berebitsky will be featured through the award-winning short film Grateful: The Jenni Berebitsky Story. Berebitsky was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) In 2009. Despite being given less than two years to live, Jenni surpassed her prognosis and lived with the disease for more than a decade. Her story inspired the short film, which follows her journey to overcome adversity and live life to the fullest extent. This morning-only session will include a question and answer portion featuring Jenni’s mother, Joyce, and the film’s executive producer, Amy Pauszek.
Journalist Elaine Weiss, the author of the book, The Woman’s Hour, which focuses on the final battle to ratify the 19th amendment that occurred in Nashville. It’s been 100 years since women won the right to vote and Weiss says it’s something this generation of women take for granted. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, Harper’s, The New York Times, and The Christian Science Monitor, as well as in reports and documentaries for National Public Radio and Voice of America. Weiss’ book is being developed into a mini-series by Stephen Spielberg.
Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger, founders of NYC branding agency, Motto, and authors of the new book, Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different. The presentation will focus on how to turn traits that society condemns into keys for breakout success. Packed with from-the-trenches advice, the dynamic duo shows others how to stop playing it safe.
Stephanie Brewer, a communication and strategy expert, has a passion for connecting people to their highest potential in work and life. She is the founder of BLOOM Development, a nonprofit organization of leaders equipping college girls and college student-athletes to find and prepare for careers where they will thrive. Her experience includes more than two decades developing and engaging employees from five industries. Brewer’s session will explore the origin of the mentor role, how it can (and often does) go astray and how to harness the value of real mentoring.
The Indiana University Kelley School of Business will host the interactive session – You Don’t Get What You Ask For: The Power of Difficult Conversations. Attendees will be able to learn techniques for asking for what they want in the workplace and life. Speakers include:
- Brenda Bailey-Hughes: Senior Lecturer, Communication and Professional Skills, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Bloomington
- Rebecca Cook: Executive Director, Undergraduate Career Services, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Bloomington
- Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow: Clinical Assistant, Professor, Business Law and Management, Emerging Program Faculty Coordinator, Indiana University Bicentennial Professor, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Indianapolis
Tickets to the Indiana Conference for Women, at the Indiana Convention Center, are $325 each and can be purchased online. For more information, visit IndianaConferenceForWomen.com.
About the Indiana Conference for Women
The Indiana Conference for Women is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the educational and professional development of women at all ages and stages of careers. Since its inception in 2011, the one-day conference has become the largest gathering of professional and entrepreneurial women in the Midwest. This educational event plays a large role in the overall goal that founders, Deborah Collins Stephens and Billie Dragoo-Garcia envisioned: The building of a strong ecosystem that helps women build careers, create companies and experience lives that are rewarding, healthy and happy. For more information, visit IndianaConferenceForWomen.com.
