We Rally & We Rise Women's Conference

The 2025 We Rally & We Rise Women’s Conference will be held on Friday, March 21, at Crossroads Event Center in Lancaster. Through this event, women from the community, nonprofits, and business sectors will be able to connect with one another, enhancing support and collaboration across Southeast and Central Ohio.

We will kick off the event with an inspiring Welcome and Presentation “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” by Carri Brown, Ph.D., M.B.A., C.G.F.M., County Auditor of Fairfield County and the 2024 recipient of the Jane Johnsen Vision for Women Award. 

Our keynote speaker, Tonya Tiggett, will present “Soar to New Heights: The Towanda Effect for Unapologetic Boldness.” During this interactive program, we’ll explore the difference between boldness and courage, evaluate your own willingness to grow, and evaluate the level of risk you’re willing to take in the pursuit of change. Get ready to feel motivated, embrace bold decisions, and achieve bolder results!

The event will also feature informative and inspiring sessions throughout the day and opportunities to network, grow, and learn. There will be a continental breakfast, lunch, and snack breaks included in the registration fee. Thanks to generous sponsors committed to this important event, the registration fee is discounted to $12/person!

AGENDA (subject to change)

7:30-8:15 a.m.
REGISTRATION / VENDOR BOOTHS

8:15-9:00 a.m.
WELCOME & OPENING SPEAKER 
[Ballroom]

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T”
Carri Brown, Ph.D., M.B.A., C.G.F.M., County Auditor of Fairfield County & the 2024 recipient of the Jane Johnsen Vision for Women Award

Respect isn’t just something to admire from a distance. It is an essential, actionable quality that leaders must continuously practice and encourage within their teams. At its heart, this speech will emphasize that respect is not merely a nice-to-have trait but a fundamental quality that defines great leaders and fosters lasting success. In both professional and personal contexts, respect is the cornerstone for building trust, solving problems, and driving meaningful change.
 
9:00-10:00 a.m.
KEYNOTE 
[Ballroom]

Soar to New Heights: The Towanda Effect for Unapologetic Boldness
Tonya Tiggett, Owner and Chief Career Strategist, Tiggett & Co.

Elevate your personal, career, and growth to new heights with unapologetically bold tools designed to help you soar – whether toward a goal you’ve set or one you may discover along the way.  During this interactive program, we’ll explore the difference between boldness and courage, evaluate your own willingness to grow, and evaluate the level of risk you’re willing to take in the pursuit of change. Through engaging and humorous stories of unapologetic boldness, you’ll gain insight into what boldness uniquely means for you and find the inspiration to take action. Get ready to feel motivated, embrace bold decisions, and achieve bolder results!
 
BREAK
 
10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
[Ballroom]

Calm and Confident: Tools to Conquer Anxiety in Everyday Life
Paige Gutheil, D.O., Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

In this session, Dr. Paige Gutheil, D.O., will share practical, evidence-based techniques to help you manage anxiety and regain a sense of calm. Drawing on her expertise in osteopathic medicine, she will provide powerful tools for reducing stress, promoting mindfulness, and building confidence in challenging situations. Dr. Gutheil will guide you through simple, effective practices that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine to feel more grounded and in control. You’ll leave with actionable steps to reduce anxiety and cultivate a more balanced, peaceful mindset.
 
10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
[Breakout Room 1]

Healthy Meals on a Budget
Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County
Sponsored by: Cenell Wellness

Don’t let the 6:00 dinner panic get you down! Come and learn both the nutritional benefits and the cost savings of preparing healthy meals. This session provides practical education on food selection, purchasing, and preparation, with emphasis on nutrition and maintaining the household budget. Shannon will have a prepared recipe for tasting!
 
11:20-12:15
[Ballroom]

Healing Division: Correcting the Imbalance Between Empathy & Power
Amy E. Hull, M.Ed., Director, Head of Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Paycor Empowering Leaders

A McKinsey study released in fall 2024 revealed that for every 100 men promoted to leadership, only 84 women advance, and that number drops to 54 for women of color. An abuse and imbalance of power leads to division and discrimination, but how can we address this? In this session, participants will explore the role of empathy and power in both life and the workplace, gaining insights into how these dynamics shape opportunities and challenges.  The discussion will include practical strategies for women to foster self-growth and help leaders recognize and address their own power imbalances. You’ll leave this session with a fresh perspective on how division is created and potential action steps to address it in schools, workplaces, and communities.
 
11:20-12:15
[Breakout Room 1]

Entrepreneurship: Resources to Help You Start Your Own Business
Moderator: Kim Barlag, President, Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce
Panelists: 
K. Zulene Adams, Co-Founder, CEO, Z Promotions / Board Member of NAWBO Columbus
Mary McCarthy, President/CEO, Women’s Small Business Accelerator
Erin Gibson, Certified Business Advisor, Small Business Development Center at Ohio University
Heather D. Landon, Small Business Financial Coach, Columbus Urban League
Chrissy Kittle, Commercial Cash Management Banking Officer, Park National Bank

In this panel presentation, discover a wealth of resources to help turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Representatives from several organizations will information about low or no-cost business assistance for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in Southeast Ohio. Speakers will cover assistance with developing a business plan, finding financial assistance, certifying your business as a woman-owned/minority-owned business, participating in an accelerator program to boost success, networking with other women entrepreneurs, and more. Whether you’re brainstorming a business idea, launching a startup, or managing an existing business, this session offers valuable insights and support tailored to your needs.
 
[Breakout Room 2]

From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Women Working with ADHD
Jean Tidd, MSW, LISW-S, ADHD-CCSP, Holistic Consultation LLC. & Badass ADHD Coaching
Holly Mills, MSW, LSW, Holistic Consultation LLC & Badass ADHD Coaching

This session focuses on understanding and celebrating the unique strengths, challenges, and perspectives of women navigating life and work with ADHD. We’ll examine the intersection of ADHD and gender, offering practical strategies for personal and professional success, tools for self-advocacy and ways to support. Most importantly, we’ll celebrate the resilience, creativity, and power of women with ADHD. Whether you are managing ADHD yourself, supporting a loved one, or working with women who do, you’ll gain valuable insights and actionable takeaways. Together, let’s redefine what it means to work with ADHD—and thrive while doing so.

LUNCH / NETWORKING
[Ballroom]
 
1:15-2:10 p.m.
[Ballroom]

You’re Not an Impostor—You’re Full of Yourself (And That’s a Good Thing)
Sarah T. Moore, Women's Leadership Coach and Author of Full of Herself

Women have been told for decades they need to overcome imposter syndrome—as if the problem is their lack of confidence. But what if you were never the problem? You don’t need to be “fixed.” You need to be free. Every time you hold back in a meeting, hesitate before speaking up, or question whether you’re “qualified enough,” you’re not just experiencing self-doubt—you’re living out a story you’ve been told about who you’re allowed to be. If you’ve been running on fumes, doubting your leadership, or stuck in a cycle of "Who am I? or, “What’s next?”, this interactive, one-of-a-kind workshop will help you find your voice to unleash your potential as a leader and a woman. This isn’t about overcoming imposter syndrome. It’s about seeing why you never needed to feel like an impostor in the first place.
 
1:15-2:10 p.m.
[Breakout Room 1]

The “Pow-Her” to Make Change Through Civic Engagement
Louise Valentine, Executive Director, LEAD Ohio

Have you ever felt frustrated with your elected officials, the policies they support (or do not), or the state of government and politics? Instead of simply venting (which might feel good, but does not lead to change), you have the "Pow-Her" to take action and make a difference! This session will explore various ways you can become more civically engaged to advocate for policies that benefit women and their families—whether it’s getting informed before you vote, volunteering for a local campaign, or even running for office yourself.
 
2:15-3:10 p.m.
[Ballroom]

Brave Space-Making: The Power of Storytelling to Foster Understanding Empathy, and Collective Action
Lynn Harter, Ph.D., Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact

Storytelling matters. People derive a sense of what to believe and how to act from stories shared at kitchen tables and on front porches, in classrooms and healthcare clinics, in news reports and through art exhibits. This interactive session will explore the generative potential of storytelling by focusing on its capacity in brave space-making. Dr. Harter will draw on her experiences as a writer, producer and director, and community activist to explore how to create brave spaces for narrative encounters that encourage understanding and connection across differences.
 
2:15-3:10 p.m.
[Breakout Room 1]

Creating Flexible Spaces in the Workplace: Employer and Employee Standpoints
Carri Brown, Ph.D., M.B.A., C.G.F.M., County Auditor of Fairfield County
Rachel Elsea, Communications Officer, Fairfield County Auditor’s Office

Flexibility is the workplace contributes to a positive organizational culture, benefitting both employees and employers. This session will showcase an example of how flexibility has improved an organization and explore how it can also benefit your organization and your employees.
 
BREAK
 
3:25-4:25 p.m.
[Ballroom]

Soar with the Power of AI for Women Leaders
Hope Yin, Owner, Blueprint Coaching

Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) is rapidly transforming industries, yet adopting these tools can feel daunting. This presentation will demystify AI and equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently integrate it into your work. Through live demonstrations and hands-on practice, you'll explore AI tools that enhance productivity, creativity, and problem-solving. By embracing AI, women can play a pivotal role in driving innovation, ensuring equitable AI development, and shaping a more inclusive future.