2025 Women’s Leadership Forum Signature Program

Event Location:

MGM National Harbor
101 MGM National Ave
Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Times subject to change
*Earn 5 Clock Hours

Schedule / Programming

Thursday, 1 May
2:30 PM - 6:30 PM

WLF Registration 

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Crafting Your Leadership Persona: The Intersection of Personal Branding and Emotional Intelligence

April LeJeune

(Optional Pre-Event Breakout Session 1)

(Pre-Registration Required – Limited Seating of 50)

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Retirement Ready: Smart Financial Moves Every Woman Should Make

Marcella Mollon-Williams, BFA™

(Optional Pre-Event Breakout Session 2)

(Pre-Registration Required – Limited Seating of 50)

4:15 PM – 5:30 PM

Connect & Chat Table Talk Insights

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

WLF Networking Reception and Social Giving

Friday, 2 May
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Headshot Photos

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM

WLF Breakfast

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM

Mingling Moments Networking Break

9:00 AM – 9:20 AM

IAEE Welcome

9:20 AM – 10:00 AM

Fear[less]ly Forward

Rebecca Heiss, Ph.D.

10:00 AM – 10:20 AM

Afterthought Discussions

10:25 AM – 10:45 AM

Networking Break | Headshot Photos

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Future Forward: Work Culture and AI 

Armida Ascano

11:45 AM – 12:05 PM

Afterthought Discussions

12:05 PM – 12:15 PM

Mid-Day Wrap Up

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

Luncheon

1:15 PM – 1:30 PM

Mental Health Break

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Bring Yourself & Negotiate Fearlessly – A Conversation with Mori Taheripour

Mori Taheripour and Sherron Washington

2:30 PM – 2:50 PM

Networking Break

2:50 PM – 4:10 PM

The Power of No: Owning Your Personal Path

Yvette Simpson, MBA, Esq.

4:10 PM – 4:30 PM

Final Day Wrap Up

WLF PROGRAM CONTENT

Fear[less]ly Forward

In this high-energy session, it’s time to springboard stress for success and FEAR[less}”!

Dr. Rebecca Heiss, a distinguished speaker and stress physiologist, will dive into the transformative power of channeling fear and stress to propel you forward. Using science-based insights and practical resources to unlock the potential of fear and anxiety, you’ll discover insights into human behavior, equipping yourself to consciously sort through your fears, embrace stress as a competitive advantage and spark your next evolution of growth.

  • Understand the biological root of your stress response and recalibrate that response to work for your benefit in the modern world.
  • Effectively engage with your fears and reframe them as energy that can optimize performance and growth.
  • Adopt a simple framework for rewiring your brain so you can respond differently to challenges, reduce burnout, and restore purpose and fulfilment to your work (and life!)

Speaker: Rebecca Heiss, Ph.D., Stress Physiologist | Author | Speaker, Rebecca Heiss, LLC

Future Forward: Work Culture and AI

As the influence of AI continues to reshape the modern workplace, organizations are confronted with the need to navigate unprecedented changes in work culture. The evolving landscape encompasses a spectrum of work models, each demanding a tailored response to meet diverse employee expectations.

Navigating this shift while addressing diverse employee expectations poses a historic challenge. How can employers adapt their cultures to align with these evolving priorities and new technological advancements? What can you, as an employee do to embrace AI and adapt?

Join us as we explore the unprecedented fusion of technology and workplace dynamics and discover how organizations can adapt to a culture that fosters collaboration, communication, and employee satisfaction in the era of AI.

  • Gain a deep understanding of how AI is reshaping the modern workplace, and the implications this has on work culture, employee expectations, and organizational dynamics.
  • Take actionable steps to embrace the changes brought about by the fusion of technology and workplace dynamics.
  • Learn how to navigate and thrive in an AI-driven work environment and support your workforce culture.

Speaker: Armida Ascano, Chief Content Officer and Futurist, TrendHunter

Bring Yourself & Negotiate Fearlessly – A Conversation with Mori Taheripour

Contrary to conventional wisdom, not all great negotiators are aggressive or unemotional. The essence of bargaining isn’t the transaction but the conversation and human connection.

Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful discussion as moderator Sherron Washington sits down with globally recognized negotiation expert Mori Taheripour. Mori shares her unique and practical approach, challenges widely held assumptions and provides an actionable framework that highlights the transformative power of bringing your whole, authentic self to every negotiation.

  • Turn conflict into collaboration using the power of curiosity and storytelling.
  • Learn to be a fearless advocate for yourself while finding creative solutions that benefit all parties.
  • Establish, communicate, and honor boundaries to avoid burnout and strengthen relationships.

Speaker: Mori Taheripour, Author | Educator | Speaker | Advisor, Global Strategies and Moderator, Sherron Washington, M.A., Chief Executive Officer, The P3 Solution

The Power of No: Owning Your Personal Path

In a world filled with endless opportunities and demands, learning to harness the power of saying no and embracing the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) is essential for leading a fulfilling and purpose-driven life. This interactive session will explore the transformative impact of setting boundaries, prioritizing goals, and cultivating a sense of fulfillment. Participants will discover how to shift from the fear of missing out (FOMO) towards a mindset of intentional choices and personal empowerment, ultimately finding their unique paths to success and well-being.

  • Gain a deep understanding of how the fear of missing out can compromise their well-being and decision-making and learn techniques to reframe this fear into a source of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment.
  • Acquire practical strategies for setting boundaries and confidently saying no in personal and professional settings. Develop assertive communication skills and boundary-setting techniques for reduced overwhelm, increased focus, and alignment with values and priorities.
  • Create a personalized plan to prioritize goals and well-being through reflective exercises. Identify core values, set meaningful objectives, and craft a roadmap to align choices with priorities, leading to greater fulfillment, satisfaction, and empowerment in personal and professional spheres

Speaker: Yvette Simpson, MBA, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Yvette Simpson, LLC 

 

Pre-Event Optional Breakout Sessions

Crafting Your Leadership Persona; The Intersection of Personal Branding and Emotional Intelligence

In this interactive breakout session, participants will explore the dynamic relationship between personal branding and emotional intelligence (EQ) and its impact on leadership effectiveness. Through discussions and shared knowledge, attendees will gain insights into defining and cultivating their personal brand, understanding the components of EQ, and aligning these elements to shape a strong professional identity.

Participants will also delve into the role of effective communication, managing emotions in the workplace, and leveraging personal branding and EQ for impactful leadership. This session aims to empower individuals to enhance their leadership persona by integrating personal branding and EQ competencies

  • Recognize the pivotal role of personal branding and emotional intelligence in effective leadership, discerning how these factors contribute to inspiring, influencing, and motivating others.
  • Integrate personal branding and emotional intelligence competencies into leadership practices, demonstrating the ability to leverage these skills for impactful leadership and managerial effectiveness.
  • Apply resilience-building strategies and conflict management techniques guided by emotional intelligence, fostering adaptive responses to workplace challenges and stressful situations.

Speaker: April LeJeune, Senior Vice President, Client Relations and Strategic Sales Planning, Freeman

Retirement Ready: Smart Financial Moves Every Woman Should Make

Your financial priorities evolve from career growth to wealth preservation, and ultimately, to a confident retirement. This session will help you learn how those priorities can shift over time and will provide a financial blueprint to help you navigate key financial milestones, retirement planning, and the essential financial team members you need for support at every stage.   

  • Understand financial transitions and gain a deeper understanding of how financial priorities change over the course of their careers and life stages, empowering you to make informed decisions about managing wealth and planning for retirement.
  • Gain practical strategies and tools to develop a personalized retirement plan that aligns with your financial goals and aspirations, assisting you with getting on track to achieve a comfortable and secure retirement.
  • Recognize the importance of building a team of financial professionals, such as financial advisors, estate planners, and tax experts, to provide guidance and support in navigating complex financial decisions and maximize financial well-being at every stage of life…

Speaker: Marcella Mollon-Williams, BFA™, Co-Founder and Licensed Behavioral Financial Advisor™, Legacy Builder Group, LLC