Thank you to our sponsors!
What to expect?
8:00 AM - Check In & Networking
9:00 AM - Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:15 AM - Keynote by Wendi Pannell
11:00 AM - Breakout Session #1
12:00 PM - Lunch & Awards
1:15 PM - Breakout Session #2
2:15 PM - Breakout Session #3
3:15 PM - Closing Remarks & Silent Auction Winners
3:45 PM - Networking Hour Reception
Keynote Speaker
Wendi Pannell
At this year's conference, Wendi will share her insights on 'How do you bloom in new growth,' aligning perfectly with the theme 'Bloom.' She will focus on the core foundations of leadership, emphasizing the importance of vision, communication, and execution. Wendi's journey is a testament to the power of clarity and action, and she will provide actionable strategies to help you and your team flourish in today's ever-changing business landscape.
Wendi's passion for supporting women is deeply personal. She attributes much of her success to the incredible women who she has surrounded herself with, supported, and inspired her both professionally and personally. As she takes the stage, Wendi brings her whole self—her experiences, her insights, and her unwavering commitment to helping others succeed.
Master of Ceremonies
Taylor Sherrill
Taylor Sherrill makes up one half of Brett & Taylor Mornings on 94.9 Star Country! She was born and raised in Central Virginia and started her broadcast career as a sophomore at Liberty University doing nights at Top-40 radio station K92. Taylor earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and continued in broadcast as a television news reporter in the Roanoke-Lynchburg market, before getting married and moving to Roanoke. She returned to the airwaves on 94.9 Star Country and currently co-hosts the morning show with Brett Sharp from 6A-10A. Taylor loves putting a smile on listeners’ faces, especially when it’s at her expense!
With an alarm clock that goes off at 3 A.M., two things are non-negotiable each morning: hot coffee & time with the Lord! When Taylor is not on the air, she enjoys studying the Bible, reading, doing puzzles, serving the homeless, baking and spending time with her husband, Logan.
Breakout Speaker
Andi Golusky & Tiffany Slusher
Andi Golusky has been the executive director of New River Valley Child Advocacy Resources Education and Services (NRV CARES) for five years. Prior to this, Andi worked at New River Valley Community Services for over ten years in children and family mental and behavioral health services.
Tiffany Slusher has worked with several non-profit agencies for over twenty years in a variety of capacities from direct service to director in a large organization working in multiple states. Her experience has led her to focus on meeting underserved communities, including at-risk teens and low-income individuals and families while focusing on mental health.
L.E.A.D. them to water
Let horses remind the leader within you what truly works best for those in your herd, while still remembering how to balance your own preservation. Concepts you may know to be true become powerful again when you recognize parallels between horse and human leadership qualities, despite the lack of horses in the session! This session will be interactive and we will walk with you as you narrow your focus on 4 concepts, listening, engaging, accepting and determining in your role as a leader.
Breakout Speaker
Ashanti Chamberlain
Ashanti Chamberlain is a passionate advocate with purposeful connections in the community and 12 years of management knowledge and mentorship experience.
At age 15, Ashanti’s innate good will and humanity motivated her to become the founder of “Bear All Gifts”. Vision: Do to others as you would have them do to you. Students from her high school visited local nursing homes to engage in joyful conversations and share teddy bears of love with seniors.
Ashanti’s vision cultivates mentorships, promoting a dynamic environment where mentors and mentees build lasting relationships that will gratefully inspire generations.
Cultivating Mentorships That Stand the Test of Time
We will explore the art of building mentorship relationships that inspire growth, trust and mutual success. This session will provide actionable strategies to create meaningful connections that evolve and endure through life’s changes.
Learn how to foster genuine bonds that empower both the mentors and the mentees to thrive personally and professionally.
Breakout Speaker
Beth Allison
Beth M. Allison is a certified life coach and the Owner of WithinU Coaching, LLC.
She is a born and raised New Englander who has lived in CT, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Atlanta and now in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
After a successful 35+ year career in corporate America, Beth took time to figure out what she wanted to do feeling there was something else for her and something more aligned with her self’s purpose. In January of 2020 she began her mid-life mentoring & coaching business, helping people navigate life transitions such as career change, readying for retirement, empty-nesting and caring for loved ones.
LIFE/work Alignment
The participants of the workshop will tap into what they enjoy and desire in their personal and professional lives to create a more well aligned LIFE/work balance. By assessing different areas of their life and shinning a spotlight on their priorities and values they can begin to Live Life by Design…Not by Default. Because life happens and evolves, the tools and exercises in this session can be applied as circumstances sift and/or when what matters most to us changes.
Breakout Speaker
Cassidy Jones
Cassidy Jones is the Sales and Design Manager at Slate Creek Builders. Cassidy joined SCB in 2015 with 10+ years of experience in residential design. She is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, and Alpha College of Real Estate. She moved to Blacksburg in 2006 to pursue her Master's in Housing Studies at Virginia Tech, with an emphasis on Kitchen and Bath Design. At Slate Creek Builders, Cassidy does most of the drafting and design work for their remodeling projects, and loves to find unique solutions to improve how people live.
The Enneagram: Next Steps & Growth Paths.
For women familiar with their enneagram type, we’ll work together to better understand what our lines of security, or growth, mean for our everyday lives. We’ll identify what each number looks like in growth and health, increase our self-knowledge, and create action plans to help us BLOOM in both our personal and professional lives.
Note: This workshop will not have enough time to teach the enneagram or help beginners identify their number. Participants will find it most valuable if they already know their number.
Breakout Speaker
Courtnie Nichols
Courtnie Nichols is the Founder and CEO of TravelBash and TRvLB, where she blends her passion for travel with her expertise in business strategy. With a business degree and a master’s in strategic leadership and project management, Courtnie has built multiple successful ventures by mastering team leadership, operational efficiency, and client service excellence. A natural connector and visionary, she thrives on empowering leaders to scale their businesses through smart delegation and intentional strategy.
Delegation Strategies For Effective Leadership
Discover how to elevate your leadership through strategic delegation in this dynamic workshop. This session equips participants with practical techniques for assigning tasks, empowering team members, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Through real-world examples, interactive discussions, and personalized action planning, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to enhance team productivity and focus on high-level leadership responsibilities.
Breakout Speaker
Jennifer Prevette
Jennifer Prevette is a passionate small business owner and a dedicated leader in the Blacksburg community. With a commitment to fostering growth and connection, Jennifer has built The Burg Box into a trusted brand that reflects authenticity, creativity, and purpose. She has recently expanded her efforts by adding a podcast, Beyond the Box, that focuses on sharing the stories of business owners, entrepreneurs and artisans in the region. Beyond entrepreneurship, Jennifer actively contributes to the community and inspires others to embrace their unique strengths and lead with intention. Jennifer is married to David and together they have four children.
Unboxing the Power of Authenticity
In today’s competitive business world, the most impactful leaders are those who dare to be themselves and lead with authenticity. This talk will empower you to embrace your unique strengths, align your story with your brand to attract like-minded clients, and explore what it means to lead with courage. Discover the transformative power of showing up as your authentic self, in business and in life, and owning your voice with confidence to achieve a new era of success.
Breakout Speaker
Katie Beach
Katie Beach is a dynamic speaker and leadership development expert with over 20 years of experience inspiring leaders and teams to reach their full potential. Drawing from a diverse background in Division I athletics, healthcare, career services, and economic development, Katie brings a unique perspective to her work, engaging audiences with high energy and actionable insights.
As a certified executive coach and facilitator, Katie specializes in helping leaders get comfortable with the uncomfortable in order to create momentum, build stronger teams, and drive meaningful change. She is passionate about developing better leaders as the foundation for improving employee engagement and the overall workplace experience. Katie’s recent work includes partnering with leaders across industries such as technology, higher education, and digital marketing to tackle challenges, spark innovation, and achieve lasting results.
Embracing Authenticity in Leadership
Discover the tools to conquer self-doubt and embrace the challenges of leadership in this empowering session for women. Learn actionable strategies to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. Walk away with new insights, confidence, and a roadmap to rewrite your inner narrative and thrive as a leader in any field.
Breakout Speaker
Kristina Rose & Ana Cornwell
Kristina Rose is the owner of Kristina Rose Photography and is a headshot, business branding, and portrait photographer. She empowers and saves professionals time by creating marketing photos and headshots that get them business.
Kristina believes in the power of community and values forming meaningful connections with her clients and peers. Her commitment to professional growth and her genuine care for her clients have solidified her reputation as a trusted photographer and mentor. Whether she’s behind the lens or offering advice to fellow creatives, Kristina is dedicated to bringing out the best in everyone she works with.
Ana Cornwell works alongside Kristina as her trusted hair and makeup artist, and helps clients look and feel their best both on screen and off.
Polished, Prepared, and Powerful: Elevate Your Personal Brand and Networking.
Step into every professional setting feeling polished, prepared, and powerful. In this session, Kristina, a personal branding and headshot photographer, will guide you in identifying key connections, perfecting your conversation starters, and refining your personal brand for a lasting impression. Ana will share simple, everyday skin and makeup tips that help you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.
Breakout Speaker
Kristin Gallagher
Kristin Gallagher is CEO and co-founder of MK Leadership, a leadership consulting agency who believes in values-based servant leadership. She is a family focused Thought Leader, Mental Wellness Advocate, and Real Estate Investing Innovator. Kristin has over 20 years of experience as a leader in various organizations including Federal Law Enforcement and the Department of Defense.
Kristin believes we get more out of life from chasing our passions than titles and levels. She shows others what is possible to can be achieved when willing to think outside the box, especially when buying and renovating homes, and supporting the community by fostering relationships. Kristin is an expert in violence prevention strategies and helps adults equip our children with life and resilience skills so we can come together as a village and reduce acts of violence through mental wellness.
Combating Burnout: Sustainable Success.
Women are known for being multi-taskers, responsible for taking care of everything and everyone. This workshop will show attendees they CAN do it all, but they don’t HAVE to! Attendees will learn how to prioritize, delegate tasks, advocate for their needs, and put themselves first, creating a life they love, more free time to do what brings them joy, and ensure they show up as the best version of themselves for their families, friends, and colleagues.
Breakout Speaker
Linna Martz
Linna Martz is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in for-profit, non-profit, church, and educational organizations. Holding a master’s degree in Organizational Management and an MBA in Marketing, Linna brings a strategic approach to her multifaceted roles as a realtor, professor, ordained minister, and business education teacher at Shawsville Middle School.
With a proven track record of success in fostering collaboration and driving results, Linna specializes in leading across generations. Her expertise lies in navigating the complexities of multigenerational teams, bridging generational gaps, and cultivating an inclusive and productive work environment.
Linna believes that effective leadership is not about managing differences, but celebrating them, creating a culture where every generation feels valued and empowered to contribute.
Leading Across Generations
What if understanding generational differences could unlock your team’s full potential? In this engaging session, explore the defining traits and motivations of each generation, identify where they fit in your organization, and discover actionable tools to foster collaboration, growth, and success. Leave equipped with strategies to inspire and connect with employees across all age groups.
Breakout Speaker
Samantha Livesay
As Senior Director of Business Engagement at Onward NRV, Samantha works closely with investors, local employers, and educational institutions to foster business attraction, retention, and economic vitality in Virginia’s New River Valley. A proud Christiansburg native and Radford University alumna with a B.S. in Communication, Samantha is passionate about meeting people in her community and is eager to continuously learn and grow from those around her. Samantha thrives on connecting people to solve challenges, believing that collaboration makes us all stronger. Her role allows her to engage with business leaders and organizations dedicated to supporting economic growth and attracting world-class jobs, investment, and talent to the region.
Bloom from Within: Strategies for Self-Care for the Growing Leader
In this empowering workshop, Samantha Livesay will guide women leaders in sustainable self-care practices to thrive both personally and professionally. Through real-life experiences and actionable tools, women will learn how to manage their time, embrace physical and mental wellbeing, and foster meaningful social connections. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to implement immediately, helping them grow as resilient, balanced leaders in both their careers and lives.
Breakout Speaker
Wendy Glass
Wendy Glass isn’t just a speaker, coach, educator, or entrepreneur - she’s a leadership architect. With over 19 years of experience, she’s transformed organizations by shaping high-performing leaders who build equally high performing teams. Wendy is the Founder and CEO of Ignite Leadership Consulting Group, a Christiansburg, Virginia based company dedicated to igniting a passion for leadership in others, particularly emerging and women leaders. Wendy also leaves her mark on the next generation of business leaders as an Adjunct Professor at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. Wendy spent 16 year in corporate America, leading at the executive level for a Fortune 500 health system, before igniting her own leadership revolution.
Breaking Glass? No thanks, I’ll take the stairs!
Wendy Glass, Certified Leadership Coach reveals the truth about women in leadership and provides attendees with actionable strategies to shatter the invisible glass ceilings. We’ll go on a brief journey to gain clarity on your personal mission; we’ll explore how purpose engages our values and shape how we show up as leaders. Finally, attendees will be equipped with proven strategies to build their staircase to the top, including masterful communication, impactful influence, and a confident leadHERship presence to climb higher and create a lasting leadership legacy.
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
Ribbon Cuttings celebrate the opening of a new location, building, renovation, new service, change in management, or just to celebrate a Chamber business!
Thank You to our Stakeholder & Leader Sponsors
Corning
First Bank
Mitchell
LewisGale Hospital
Virginia Tech