S C H E D U L E

S P E A K E R S

A T T E N D

S P O N S O R S

2025 Schedule

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

DECEMBER 4, 2025 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

ACHE RI Health & Wellness Center - Fort Smith

8:00 a

No physical tickets required! Just head to your assigned table, or stop by registration if you need help.
Network with other attendees and interact with our event partners.
Light breakfast including coffee, tea and juice.

Registration & Networking Breakfast

8:30 a

Opening remarks and introductions by the WLS team.

Welcome

8:45 a

Leadership strategist Keisha B. Merritt challenges outdated models of perfection and performance, offering a fresh blueprint for leading with clarity, purpose, and sustainability.

Session One

with Keisha B. Merritt

9:25 a

Sheila Jacobs, Chancellor of ATU Ozark, dives into the art of collaboration across silos, navigating with grace, and the power of story.

Session Two

with Dr. Shelia Jacobs

9:45 a

Break

10:00 a

with Holly Jennings, MD, Merit Jennings Turner, MD, Nycole Oliver, DNP , and Crystal Lougin, MS, LPC, from Baptist Health!

Women’s Wellness Panel Discussion

10:35 a

Christy Valentine explores how imposter syndrome often prevents women from recognizing and embracing their full influence.

Session Three

with Christy Valentine

11:25 a

Break #2

11:25 a

Lori Brooks of ArcBest and Dr. Teressa Brown of ACHE speak candidly about how they handle workplace disfunction, inequality and what they do when they see workplace toxicity.

Session Four

11:55 a

See you next year!

2025 Sponsors

ARKANSAS COLLEGES OF HEALTH EDUCATION

HOST + CONTENT SPONSOR

ARCBEST

CONTENT SPONSOR
RIGHTFIBER

CONTENT SPONSOR

WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF ARKANSAS

WOMEN’S RESOURCE SPONSOR

FORT SMITH CHAMBER

COMMUNICATIONS PARTNER
VAN BUREN CHAMBER

MEDIA PARTNER
LYNN'S UNLIMITED CREATIONS

DECORATIONS PARTNER

CORPORATE TABLE SPONSORS

BAPTIST HEALTH

HYTROL

LANDMARK CPAs

WRIGHT LINDSEY JENNINGS