2024 Virginia Women's Conference Breakout Sessions
Session I options:
Build a business with Amazon
In this session, learn how you can build a business with Amazon beyond selling a physical product in the store. We’ll cover how you can leverage Amazon selling programs to help build and protect your brand, self-publish your own book with Kindle Direct Publishing, become an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, earn commissions and monetize your content as an Amazon Influencer, and much more. We’ll lastly share the resources Amazon offers to help enable small business success.
Presented by Abby Malchow, manager of small business partnerships and education at Amazon
Redefining Caregiving - What you’ve done, what you’re doing, and what you may do
We believe you’ll walk away from this session feeling more enlightened and empowered about your & your loved one’s aging journey. Hear new ideas and perspectives on both aging and caregiving from experts. If you have questions or concerns or are making plans for home care services and/or family caregiving, you won’t want to miss this session. We will be providing information and tips to help make caregiving easier. This session will be interactive, so please bring your mobile device.
Presented by Joseph Chambers, regional vice president for CareScout Services; Betsy Head, founder of Karis Care Services; Beth M. Ludden, LTC Insurance Senior Director for CareScout/Genworth
FICO’s Score a Better Future
Join us for an engaging and informative credit education workshop designed for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. This workshop will equip you with essential skills to take control of your finances, make informed decisions, and plan for a secure financial future. You will hear from a FICO expert about the key ingredients in your FICO® Score, as well as, have the opportunity to meet with a non-profit financial counselor to help guide you on your financial journey…all for FREE!
Presented by Elaine Cozart, consumer empowerment consultant at FICO
The Future of Women’s Health
Join us for an empowering and enlightening workshop that delves into the latest innovations and insights in women's health. Discover how to advocate for your well-being across all stages of life through cutting-edge technology and evidence-based practices. Our dynamic session will cover a range of topics, including essential health screenings, groundbreaking interventions, and holistic approaches to wellness. Special focus areas will include overall wellness, behavioral health, fertility, parenting, menopause, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to optimize your health and thrive at every age.
Moderated by Monica Schmude, president, Virginia for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Panelists: Dr. Danielle Dang, senior medical director of the Maven Clinic; Dr. Seema Sarin, medical director of commercial and specialty business for Elevance Health, Virginia; and Bridget Walsh, director of client support services for Aspire365
Navigating Your Career: Leadership, Growth, and Building Your Network
Designed for women in the midst of their careers who are seeking to enhance their leadership skills, advance professionally, and successfully navigate career transitions, this panel of professional corporate leaders will discuss overcoming workplace challenges, building strong professional networks, and the power of mentorship. Through collaboration and shared experiences, you’ll gain the tools to confidently advance your career and achieve long-term success.
Moderated by Regina Cook, corporate training lead, workforce development specialist, and organizational development strategist at Virginia Western Community College; Panelists: Beth Jafari, vice president of government affairs for Hilton; Lauren Shotwell, manager of procurement ESG at Altria Client Services; and Laura Vaught, vice president of federal affairs for Dominion Energy
The Doodling Collective
Elevating your future requires a genuine connection with the present moment – and that connection is hard to come by when we are always on the go: planning, producing, performing, perfecting. This hands-on workshop will switch your brain from efficiency to exploration. After an overview of the benefits of doodling and the connection between arts and the practice of powerful leadership, participants will be led through active prompts to create. Participants will be invited to share their creations, reflections, and discoveries.
Presented by Amanda Stanley, CEO of The Artisan Leader and Kate Means, managing consultant for culture and strategy for The Artisan Leader
Session II options:
Keys to Help Your Retirement Readiness
The one thing we can’t borrow for is retirement income. No matter our occupations, all of us need to do what we can to create a comfortable and secure retirement for ourselves. The savings and investment decisions we make in preparation for that retirement are important no matter where we are in our financial journey. In this session, we’re going to take a closer look at saving and investing ideas to help prepare you for your retirement.
Presented by Tomeka Brown, Manager of Training for Navy Federal Financial Group and Diane Young, chief operations officer for Navy Federal Financial Group, LLC
The Menopause Journey - Navigating the Twists and Turns with a Trusted Compass
Menopausal women are one of the most rapidly growing populations in the nation. There is no singular GPS system that navigates the menopause journey for all women. Menopause, a natural part of the life cycle, affects individual women in unique ways. The great news is, navigating menopause and beyond does not have to be a journey of uncertainty. This panel will dispel myths and have real conversation around menopause, touching on topics that often are overlooked for many menopausal women. Join us as we help align your compass for this successful stage of your life journey!
Moderated by Karen McNew-McGuire, senior consultant of the Carilion Clinic Department of Communication, Marketing, and Planning; Panelists: Dr. Sarah Evans, assistant professor, Division of Urogynecology at Carilion Clinic; Dr. Heather Greer, assistant professor, academic specialist in General Obstetrics and Gynecology at Carilion Clinic; Dr. Amanda Murchison, associate professor, academic specialist in General Obstetrics and Gynecology at Carilion Clinic and associate dean of student affairs at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; Dr. Jennifer Wells, director of the Women’s Mental Health Division of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Carilion Clinic
Social Influence on Mental Health: The Role of Social Media, Teen Relationships, and Sleep
How do you define friendship, depict your life and stay current in the digital age? This session will describe the impact of social media and screen time on mental health and sleep in teens. We will explore ways to mitigate the negative effects with practical tips to maintain safety and prepare teens (and ourselves) for healthy habits in the virtual world.
Presented by Dr. Bethany Lanier, interim chair of the counselor education program at Radford University; Dr. Katherine Liebesny, child adolescent psychiatry fellowship program director and associate professor at Carilion Clinic Virginia Tech School of Medicine; and Dr. Abhishek Reddy, assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry, sleep medicine at Carilion Clinic Virginia Tech School of Medicine
Harnessing the Power of AI: Elevate Your Career and Business
Unlock the potential of AI to gain a competitive edge in your professional journey. This engaging and interactive 1-hour session will transform the way you leverage artificial intelligence, offering practical strategies drawn from the latest innovations being designed by Cortex for their firm and their client's companies. Learn how to enhance your skills, meet evolving client demands, and increase your earning potential in today's dynamic market. Whether you're consulting within a company or working as an external contractor or vendor, discover what clients are seeking right now and which abilities are most valuable. Participate in hands-on activities, explore real-world examples, and engage in discussions designed to equip you with actionable insights. Join us to connect with like-minded professionals and take tangible steps toward accelerating your success
Presented by Lynda McNutt Foster, founder of Cortex Leadership Consulting
Entering, Re-Entering, and Advancing in the Workforce in an Ever-Evolving Professional Environment
This panel discussion will feature advice from human resources professionals who specialize in recruitment, talent development, and wellness. For participants interested in navigating early career entry points, re-entering the workforce after extended leave, and career advancement, with an emphasis on self-care and well-being, this session will feature best practices for interviewing, building a standout resume, pursuing professional development opportunities, and prioritizing wellness in an ever-evolving work environment.
Moderated by Amy Epperley, senior director of Hokie Wellness at Virginia Tech. Panelists: Ana Agud, work/life program manager for Virginia Tech Hokie Wellness; Ashley Carter, community and engagement recruitment specialist for Virginia Tech Division of Human Resources; and Sarah Drier, talent development specialist for Virginia Tech Division of Human Resources
Discover What’s Blocking You from Igniting Your Inner Spark!
In this transformative experience, you will assess the current state of your purpose, passions, and joy to uncover what is possibly holding you back. Through the powerful tool of mind mapping, you will visually organize and expand on your creative thoughts, gaining clarity and focus like never before. Included are exercises, prompts, and thought-provoking questions that challenge you to think critically about how to incorporate these new ideas into your daily life. And by learning practical steps, along with an inspirational video and quotes to assist in maintaining that spark, you leave having gained inspiration and motivation to maintain your focus.
Presented by Rita Ricks, spiritual business coach of Ritaricks.com
