The GROW Conference 2026

ANDERSON

CONFERENCE AGENDA

7:45am - Registration Begins

8am-9am - Vendor Booths Open

8:15am - Prize Giveaways

9am-9:30am - Welcome and Networking Activity

9:30am-10:15am - Keynote

10:30am-11:20pm - First Breakout Session

11:30pm-1pm - Lunch and Vendor Booths Open

1:15-2:05pm - Second Breakout Session

2:20pm-3:10pm - Third Breakout Session

3:15-3:30 - Closing and Final Giveaways

3:30-4:30 - Bonus Networking Event!

THEME: Leaders Who RISE

*Click the + to read more about the keynote

    • This dynamic session invites women leaders to discover the voice of their inner leader and become catalysts in their own lives and leadership. Drawing on leadership coaching and the improvisational principle of "Yes, And," Suzanne Fodor explores how the choices we make - and the stories we tell ourselves - shape what's possible. Through humor, heart, and practical insight, we'll discover when to say "Yes, And" to opportunities that align with our strengths and purpose, when a purposeful "No" creates the space for what matters most, and how to lead ourselves with greater intention, courage, and authenticity.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS & SPEAKERS

*click the + for a description of each session

Breakout Session 1 - 10:30-11:20am

    • If you’re the person who keeps everything running at home or in your business, you’ve likely had a quiet thought in the background: “What would happen if I suddenly couldn’t do this anymore?” Most people push that thought aside. But when we’re willing to bring those questions into the light, we can create something steady and supportive: a clear plan. Join Sarah to learn practical next steps for organizing important information, creating continuity for your family or business, reducing uncertainty, and bringing peace of mind to both you and the people who rely on you.

    • This session helps women connect self-awareness with confidence and visibility. Attendees will explore how their strengths shape the way they communicate, speak about their value, and show up in professional and business settings with more clarity and confidence.

    • Let's be honest: social media is drowning in Al-generated sameness, and people can feel it. The businesses that actually connect are the ones that still sound like real people. This session shows you how to use social media to reach your ideal clients without the Al slop. You'll walk away knowing how to show up as yourself, create content that feels human, and build real connection with the people you're meant to serve.

    • We often define ourselves by the roles we hold, leader, caregiver, professional, partner, or parent. But what happens when life transitions, career changes, or unexpected challenges cause those roles to shift? In this reflective and empowering session, Marquisha Bridgeman explores how to reconnect with your authentic self beyond titles and responsibilities.

Breakout Session 2 - 1:15-2:05pm

    • Life can change in an instant. Through personal stories and practical legal insights, this presentation equips women with the knowledge to navigate unexpected challenges involving family, personal safety, guardianship, adoption, and other legal matters before a crisis arises. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their future.

    • Managing Up will cover applicable ways to build a strong & effective relationship with your manager (or board) to align priorities, improve communication, and succeed together. This topic is more about taking a proactive approach to foster alignment & reduce friction and less about "sucking up."

    • Leading diverse teams well takes two kinds of intelligence working together, and most of us are only developing one. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) helps us manage our emotions and connect with others. Cultural Intelligence (CQ) takes that foundation and expands it by helping us accurately read unfamiliar behaviors and work effectively with people whose values and experiences differ from our own. Together? The impact of EQ+CQ is significant in our communication.

    • Join me for a guided meditation and an introduction to simple, practical ways to calm the nervous system and reduce stress.

Breakout Session 3 - 2:20-3:10pm

    • What makes certain leaders, teams, brands, and organizations unforgettable? In this dynamic and highly engaging workshop, leadership strategist, author, and speaker Erika Petrelli Bayh explores the powerful intersection of emotional intelligence, culture, communication, creativity, and human connection. This session challenges leaders to think beyond simply managing tasks and delivering information, and instead ask: How do I want people to feel after interacting with me, my team, or my organization?

    • Lessons learned transitioning from corporate leadership to business ownership, including identifying opportunities, making difficult decisions, competing against larger organizations, and building a company through resilience, continuous learning, and calculated risk.

    • What if becoming a stronger leader begins with taking better care of yourself? Discover how nourishing your body, mind, and spirit can help you lead with greater energy, clarity, confidence, and compassion. Through practical wellness strategies, meaningful reflection, and a hands-on recipe demonstration, you'll explore how caring for yourself from the inside out empowers you to become a more resourceful, innovative, secure, and empathetic leader. Leave inspired with simple, actionable tools to help you thrive personally and lead others with purpose.

    • As AI evolves from a tool that generates content into one that can independently complete tasks and take action, leaders face a new challenge: deciding what to delegate, what to supervise, and what must remain human. In this practical, engaging session, Kelly Wright explores how agentic AI is reshaping work and introduces a simple framework for ethical delegation. Using the conference’s R.I.S.E. principles (Resourceful, Innovative, Secure, and Empathetic), attendees will learn how to evaluate AI’s level of authority, preserve human accountability and judgment, and consider the people affected by AI-driven decisions. They will leave equipped to embrace innovation while leading with security, empathy, and intention.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?

We build these conferences for YOU! We want to know what you loved and want to see again. We value you your thoughts and feedback and hope to continue to provide meaningful events, opportunities, and resources for you and your community here in Anderson as you grow your business and develop as a business professional. It would mean the world to us to hear your thoughts and feedback.

Breakout Session Evaluation
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