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Karen Mills
After Party Keynote
Time: 4:30pm

Karen has made a career out of making people laugh. She’s performed numerous times on the Grand Ole Opry and can be heard regularly on Sirius/XM comedy channels.

Karen is currently on a 100 city tour with Leanne Morgan, and she was showcased on a comedy special produced by Nate Bargatze. Karen also appeared on season 12 of America’s Got Talent, and clips from her Dry Bar Comedy Special “Baby Got Bad Back” have gotten over 30 million views.

This self-proclaimed “crazy dog lady” has a straight-forward approach to the realities of life. Her smart, funny, keen observations will keep you laughing at yourself as you relate to her experiences. Even Ovarian cancer couldn’t stop her from turning her pain into punchlines. Diagnosed in 2013 after a routine checkup, Karen was determined to take on the disease with hope and humor and in 2016 she was chosen to present her talk, “Cancer is a Laughing Matter” at TEDx Chattanooga.

Karen has faced every challenge with determination. She stands at 5’2″ and was told more than once that she was too short to play basketball. Not only did she play, in 1981 she led the nation in assists and became the first, Division 1 first team All-American in UT Chattanooga’s history. Karen was the first UTC athlete to earn that distinction in any sport, male or female. Her #12 uniform was retired and in 1981 she was inducted into Chattanooga’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

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Aging Gracefully with Aesthetics

Dr. Kathleen Behr

Learn how Dr. Kathleen Behr built her successful practice over the last 20 years by instilling in her staff that their goal is to help people age gracefully. Their providers curate a treatment plan that truly helps people “look better, feel better, and live better”.

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Authentic Inaction: Undoing the doing in a do crazy world

Renee Dineen

Saroyan Theatre

Many suffer from doing too much. This crippling addiction has resulted in a loss of our truest sense of who we are in the world. While we absolutely make an impact on the world through our actions, our actions should be a natural extension of who we are. This talk will show you how!

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Zero Barriers to Business

Sandra Vicente

Salon C

BMO is proudly Growing the Good in Business and in Life with comprehensive business programs specifically designed for Women, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native-owned business owners. Our goal is to equip these business owners with capital, educational resources, and partnerships to help make their businesses more resilient and scalable.

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Stop Waiting Start Running: How to live with CONFIDENCE and walk in your purpose!

Sheree Cain-Jones

Salon B

Confidence is something that we all want but many of us are waiting for it to come upon us like fairy dust. This talk is all about you learning what is REALLY holding you back from walking, talking and being confident. The truth is, is that no one told you what continues to block you from becoming the woman you have always wanted to be. Let me show you the three blocks that keep the real you from coming out. Once you remove these blocks you will be your way to real, true and long-lasting confidence.

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Sparkle at Home

Panelists: Alexandra Franco,  Sarah Oliveira, Cece F Quinn, Andrea Van Groningen

Join these creative female entrepreneurs as they share their expertise on home design, décor, organization and more.  Learn how to incorporate your personality for a welcoming, sparkling, home.  Hear more about hot trends that will last and those to skip!

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Join us for an empowering and transformative session designed to redefine our understanding of obesity and inspire a path toward healing and self-acceptance. “Breaking Free: Treating Obesity as a Disease and Letting Go of Guilt” delves into the latest advancements in treating obesity as a chronic disease, rather than a personal failing. This session will provide valuable insights into the science of weight management, the role of medications and bariatric surgery, and effective strategies for sustainable weight loss. Our expert speaker Dr. Pearl Ma will guide you through:

• Understanding Obesity as a Disease: Explore the medical perspective on obesity, including its causes, effects, and how it differs from mere lifestyle choices.

• Current Treatments and Weight Loss Solutions: Learn about the most effective treatments, including the latest craze on weight loss medications, discussion on bariatric surgery, and how they can transform lives beyond just physical changes.

• Overcoming Guilt and Embracing Self-Compassion: Discover powerful tools and techniques to combat feelings of guilt and shame, and embrace a journey toward self-love and mental well-being.

• Real-Life Stories and Success Strategies: Hear inspiring stories from women who have successfully navigated their own journeys and gain practical tips for applying these strategies to your own life.

Whether you’re struggling with obesity, considering weight loss options, or supporting someone who is, this session offers hope, knowledge, and a supportive community ready to break free from the chains of guilt and embrace a healthier, more empowered future.

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The Transformative Power of Healthy Sleep in Women

Lourdes M. DelRosso, MD, PhD

Sponsored by Inspire Health Medical Group

Salon A

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Situational Awareness Take 2

Corporal Meredith Alexander

Salon D

We are building on last year’s Situational Awareness and Personal Safety presentation. We are going to take a deeper dive on Situational Awareness after a quick recap from last year! Bring your questions and stories!

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Daring to Breathe

Armen Bacon

Salon B

Daring to Breathe – Long Story Short: Writing Saved My Life! Let’s face it. As women, we are the center of gravity for our families and community. Navigating life’s journey can be challenging, daunting, exhilarating, and exhausting. Sharing our journeys makes us feel less alone. From the blur of life’s “too-muchness” to rediscovering defining moments that have shaped you, Armen will share the hows and whys of creating a “docu-memory” of your life, and why it’s important to pass these stories down to our children and grandchildren. Each of us has a best seller hiding inside. Discover yours in this high octane, “make your mess your message” session.

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Enhance your Well-Being

Rhonda Murphy

Wine Room

Rhonda provides expert fitness tips and exercises to kickstart your path to wellness. She will give you transformative ideas to boost your self-confidence, and improve your health and fitness.

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How to Raise Emotionally Resilient Kids

Analiese Domingos, LCSW

Grape Room

As moms, we all want our kids to be successful! But what does success really look like? For me, it’s about raising children who can adapt to new situations, manage stress effectively, and maintain positive relationships filled with authentic connection. At the foundation of these abilities is emotional resilience, a skill that equips our children to navigate life’s challenges with determination and self-compassion. In this candid and insightful presentation, we will examine the essential elements of raising emotionally resilient children and prepare you to:

– Learn how to navigate the delicate balance of empathy and boundaries, allowing children to feel understood without dismissing their feelings while maintaining structure and clear expectations for acceptable behavior.

-Explore the power of vulnerability and repair in modeling healthy emotional expression for our children, creating a nurturing environment where they feel seen and heard.

-Discover the transformative impact of prioritizing connection over compliance in parent-child relationships.

Through practical examples and strategies, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how consistency in these areas can profoundly shape a child’s emotional experience and create a safe and supportive environment for emotional growth. But let’s not shy away from the tough stuff! We’ll embrace the messy realities of parenting and how our own unresolved issues and triggers can cloud our judgment and reactions. Together, we’ll explore how embracing our own vulnerabilities and committing to personal growth can empower us to parent with intention and create an environment where emotional resilience thrives!

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Brand Elevation for Women: Crystallize Your Brilliance on a Cocktail Napkin

Theresa Rose

Saroyan Theatre

Highly-skilled professional women often struggle with the same challenges that prohibit their growth, all of which are interconnected and essential to sustainable success in any field: clarity, coherence, and confidence. Theresa Rose is a sought-after Brand and Business Crystallizer, Strategic Co-Creator, and Certified Speaking Professional who helps global thought leaders, c-suite executives, and other ideas-based entrepreneurs get clarity on a cocktail napkin to cultivate and leverage their powerful personal brands. Attendees will discover how to: Get clarity on what makes them unique and valuable as a professional Create coherence around their personal brands in the many ways they show up Demonstrate confidence in business development and career advancement using triangulated sales

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Financial Planning for Women – See What is Possible

Yvonne Sanchez

Sponsored by Bank of America

Salon C

In this session, Yvonne Sanchez will address financial planning at all stages of your life. This presentation offers information, possibilities and solutions to the diverse audience with an understanding that no two financial paths are the same.

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Champion Kindness, Inspire Success

Dr. Carole Goldsmith, Chancellor

Salon A

Sponsored by State Center Community College District

This session delves into the critical role kindness plays in cultivating a positive and productive workplace culture. We’ll discuss how kindness is not just a nice-to-have trait but a powerful driver of success and well-being within an organization. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to integrate kindness into their daily interactions, benefiting both the individual and the organization.

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Love Yourself: Find your Spark

Isidra Mencos

Saroyan Theatre

From childhood on, we all suppress parts of ourselves so our parents, our teachers, our friends, and our employers will accept us. In our rush to fit in, we sometimes lose the traits that make us unique and bring us joy. Isidra Mencos hid her sensuality since she was a child to gain her mother’s approval. Split into the public good girl and the private rebel, she eventually found a spark that allowed her to bring her full self into the open. With examples from society’s movers and shakers and from her own story, Isidra will inspire you to find your own spark so you can live a more authentic life. As meditation teacher Jack Kornfield said, “Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance; maybe all of it.”

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Avalanche of Abundance: Tackling Debt with Self-Compassion

Charah Coleman

Salon C

Tired of feeling overwhelmed by debt and traditional financial advice that doesn’t seem to stick? Come learn how to transform your approach to debt by merging smart money management with the power of self-compassion and personal values. Bonus: All attendees will receive free access to the “Debt Melt Map” – a unique tool to chart your compassionate journey to financial freedom long after the session ends

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The Modern Working Mom – Balancing Family and Business Growth

Rae Pardini Matson

Salon A

Business, babies and beyond! Step into the world of modern motherhood with Rae Pardini Matson, founder of RPM PR, as she candidly shares her journey of balancing family, marriage, and entrepreneurship. With three young children and a supportive partner, Rae navigates the complexities of working momhood with honesty and purpose. Drawing from her experiences in global media and the challenges she faces daily, Rae opens up about the realities of juggling multiple roles. From managing time effectively to celebrating the power of community through initiatives like the Mother Upload (#motherupload), join Rae as she redefines success and empowers women in the dynamic landscape of modern motherhood.

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“Let’s Talk About Sex” The Sex Ed You Wish You Had (Not The One You Remember.)

Jane Hammond 

Salon D-2

What did you learn about sex when you were young? In school we learned about periods, diseases and pregnancy prevention, and of course, abstinence. The movies portrayed sex as always spontaneous, wild, penetrative, and that desire is always there. The patriarchy taught us that we should always be pleasing to men, yet women’s desire is shameful.

Satisfying sex is a skill, it changes throughout life, and it can be improved. Let’s change the conversation around sex and dispel the myths of the patriarchy. Let’s claim our pleasure along with that of our partners, and build strong bonds based on mutual love, respect and communication.

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Handled(ish): Productivity for the Imperfect

Betsy Hays

Grape Room

Enjoy a practical and humorous look at productivity, how to get things done well, and how to accept that a lot of things will just get “done enough” — and that’s ok.

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Real talk about menopause – It’s getting hot in here!

Amanda Reeve, MD, Ob-Gyn

Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente

Salon D

All women will experience perimenopause and menopause – and these changes are more than just hot flashes and night sweats! Learn about the symptoms and their effects on your physical, emotional and mental health. Plus, understand lifestyle changes and treatment options to manage symptoms so you can thrive through this phase of life and beyond.

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Understanding Breast Cancer

Li Lisa Ge, MD

Wine Room

Sponsored by Community Health Partners

Join expert Dr. Ge as she breaks the barriers in communication around Breast Cancer.  Hear more about realities of signs, symptoms, treatment and hope presented with compassion & understanding.

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Warm-Up Keynote

Join the Central California Women’s Conference as we open up with four, fierce, fearless females making a difference in the Central Valley!