S P E A K E R S

S P E A K E R S

S C H E D U L E

S C H E D U L E

K E Y N O T E S

K E Y N O T E S

A T T E N D

A T T E N D

VIP NETWORKING EVENT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025

5:30 - 7:30 PM

LOCATION TBD

VIP Registrants and Sponsors are invited to attend a private networking event

SOIREE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM MAIN EVENT

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Statehouse Convention Center - Wally Allen Ballroom

2025 Schedule

7:30 a

  • No physical tickets required. Just check in with your name or company in the Statehouse atrium

  • Network with other attendees and interact with our event partners

  • Light breakfast including coffee, tea and juice

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Statehouse Atrium

9:00 a

  • Opening remarks and introductions by the WLS team and presenting sponsors Delta Dental of Arkansas & The Hatcher Agency

Welcome

Wally Allen Ballroom

  • The Secret to Powerful Presence is Personal Power

    No matter what role you are playing at home, in your community or within an organization, your most valuable skill is influence, whether it be to engage, connect, sell or solve. The problem is that we are only taught to "present." The path to influence isn't in your presentation. It is in your presence.

    Michelle Anne Johnson - Hollywood Actress, Corporate VP and Consultant

9:20 a

Opening Keynote

Wally Allen Ballroom

10:10 a

  • with Diane Wilder, M.D., board-certified medical oncologist, CARTI

    Moderated by Julie Nix, Corporate Vice President Women's, Surgery and Rehabilitation Services at Baptist Health

    Presented by Baptist Health

Wellness Panel Discussion

Wally Allen Ballroom

  • visit our activation booths & grab a snack

10:45 a

Break #1

sponsored by Ben E. Keith in pre-function area

11- 11:25 a

Session One in Breakout Rooms

Ballrooms A, B & C

11:35 - Noon

Session Two in Breakout Rooms

Ballrooms A, B & C

Noon

  • visit our activation booths & grab a snack

Break #2

pre-function area

12:15 p

Lunch

Wally Allen Ballroom

12:20 p

  • Courage at Work: How to Take More Risks & Own Your Brilliance

    An organization’s ability to reach its highest level of excellence comes down to one thing: its people  courageously owning their brilliance, in both typical and transitional times. In this leadership development presentation, participants learn a process for how to manage fear, activate personal courage and take worthwhile risks so they can unleash their potential and make a greater impact on their organization.

    Candace Doby, Leadership Development Strategist, Author, and Founder of The Can-Do Company

Luncheon Keynote

Wally Allen Ballroom

1:30 p

Dismiss

1:45 - 3:15p

  • Learn and apply the real-world skills that create an empowered workplace culture where everyone is equipped and supported to speak up, show up and step up with courage.

    with Candace Doby, Leadership Development Strategist, Author, and Founder of The Can-Do Company

  • Deep dive into the various conflict styles, behaviors and triggers. Learn your personal conflict style and how to engage opposite conflict styles effectively and with minimal anxiety.

    with Deb Degner, President, The Leadership Bridge

Workshops

Ballrooms B & C

2025 Sponsors

  • DELTA DENTAL OF ARKANSAS

    CO-PRESENTING SPONSOR

  • THE HATCHER AGENCY

    CO-PRESETING SPONSOR

  • BAPTIST HEALTH

    WELLNESS SPONSOR

  • THE BREAST CENTER AT CARTI

    EXECUTIVE TRACK SPONSOR

  • WOMAN RUN (WLJ)

    ENTREPRENEUR TRACK SPNSOR

CORPORATE TABLE SPONSORS

Arvest Bank

Ben E. Keith

Mitchell Williams Law Firm