About the Session:
Everyone has innate gifts, talents and abilities. Which means we all have stuff we suck at as well. Jessica is going to walk us through your Myers Briggs personality type in a fun and engaging keynote showing you exactly:

1. What you are best at in your life, love and career. 
2. Why everyone is an ambivert and why that is important for your energy. 
3. What things you suck at in life and business and why you HAVE to learn to outsource these things! 
4. Where you go under stress and how to avoid that in the future. 
5. And lastly how to be Unapologetically who you are! 

 
You will leave inspired, educated on a new part of yourself and clear direction in what to do next. Jessica can’t wait to meet you all and have a life changing day with you. You absolutely do NOT want to miss this keynote. 

​About the Speaker:
Jessica is the Creator/CEO of Front Seat Life, and Healing the Huslte, Myers-Briggs Expert, Author, Keynote Speaker, host the Front Seat Life Podcast and Psychotherapist.  She is an ENFJ, truth teller, F bomb dropper, lover of all things Maui and fiercely dedicated to helping you be unapologetically who you are. 

About the Session:
​Join Michelle for an empowering opening session that hopes to fill you with warmth and inspiration while encouraging you to speak POWER into the lives of the women you encounter, whether friend or stranger.

Speaking POWER involves five transformative actions, encapsulated in the acronym POWER:

• PROUD – Express pride in other women’s achievements.
• OPEN – Facilitate introductions and opportunities.
• WELCOME – Invite others to join conversations and events.
• ENCOURAGE – Provide the uplifting words they need.
• RECOGNIZE – Publicly and directly acknowledge their strengths and successes.
  
  

Michelle will share personal stories of how these elements of POWER have profoundly impacted her life, encouraging bravery, resilience, and success, and how receiving genuine words of encouragement, introductions, or invitations can inspire similar transformations into others' lives.

Attendees will also be challenged to pass along this empowerment by speaking POWER to their fellow attendees throughout the conference, fostering a network of support and connection to be celebrated.

Let's start the day with positivity, empowerment, and a commitment to transforming lives through the power of our words.
 
TEASER:
I am a mirror, reflecting light,
A gesture that can set things right.
Though I possess no physical form,
I can warm the heart, and the spirit transform.
 
I'm the silent nod, the knowing glance,
A subtle gift that can enhance.
Shared between friends or strangers new,
I am sincere, and always true.  What am I?
 
If you know this answer, then you are on your way to speaking POWER into those around you. 

About the Speaker:
Michelle Holt has nearly 30 years of executive leadership experience, specializing in development and organizational revitalization. Michelle is now focusing on sharing her personal and professional experiences through presentations and workshops under her business MMH Consulting. Recent presentations have included the HAPO Credit Union Leadership Series, Powerful Connections Fall Workshop, Tri-Cities SHRM Spring Conference, and Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Conference 2022.

Michelle is a relative newcomer to the Tri-Cities, joining the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments as Executive Director in February 2021. Michelle comes to the region from Idaho, where past roles include Executive Director of Workforce Training and Continuing Education (WTCE) for the College of Eastern Idaho; Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and Snake River Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO; Lost Rivers Economic Development and Tourism Council Executive Director; and Junior Achievement of Idaho President.

Michelle has been married to her high school sweetheart Ron for 34 years, and their family includes three adult daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. She enjoys movies (natural disaster movies!) and reading in her free time (nothing but trash!), averaging roughly 50 books annually. Since moving to Tri-Cities, Michelle and Ron have enjoyed many restaurants and wineries and explored new activities like e-bikes and kayaks.

Michelle has served professionally and personally in various board capacities, including past President of the Idaho Economic Development Association, the Eastern Idaho Economic Development Partners, and the Idaho Falls Rotary Club, as well as elected Trustee and Chairman of the Board for Lost Rivers Medical Center. Michelle serves on Hanford Advisory Board and as an ex-officio board member for the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Michelle was an inaugural recipient of the Idaho Business Review 40 Under 40 award at age 28 and has twice been a submitted nominee for Idaho Woman of the Year. She was recognized by the Learning Resource Network (LERN), a national organization for continuing education, with their 2020 Best Management Award for the organizational changes she brought to the College of Eastern Idaho.

About the Session:
Join Keilani Perisian-Mason in an immersive workshop, where we explore the profound impact of mental health and wellness on every facet of life. This engaging event will delve into the interconnectedness of mental health, professional success, and community engagement, offering an integrated approach to personal and professional development. You'll gain insights into practical strategies to promote balance and purpose in your life. Discover how enhancing emotional intelligence, resilience, and leadership skills can drive career advancement and foster a thriving community! Don't miss this opportunity to transform
your life and the lives of those around you through intentional living and purposeful wellness!

About the Speaker:
Keilani Perisian-Mason holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and is a licensed mental health therapist and life coach with over seven years of experience in private practice and over a decade in the mental health field. With specialized training in mindfulness, psychedelic-assisted therapy, healthy relationships, trauma-informed therapy, and holistic/integrative mental health, Keilani brings an integrative and compassionate approach to mental wellness. She is also a pioneer in the field of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and psychedelic integration, providing innovative and effective treatments to help clients achieve profound healing and personal growth.

In addition to their clinical practice, Keilani is the host of the candid and insightful podcast "Delightfully Dysfunctional," with her cohost, where they explore various aspects of mental health with authenticity and expertise. Keilani's dedication to fostering healthy, mindful, and trauma-informed practices makes her a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the mental health community. Her holistic approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of mental, physical, and emotional well-being, offering a pathway to deeper understanding and transformation for individuals and communities alike.

About the Session:
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Connected team has promoted an enhanced Meeting Experience at PNNL. This is a methodology which facilitates more productive meetings, economic use of staff time, and cleaner post meeting follow up and action tracking. In this session, you will gain insights into tools and strategies that empower you and your teams to conduct meetings that yield tangible outcomes and not leave you saying, “why was this not just an email?”.

​About the Speakers:
Faith Follett is a meeting specialist from scheduling to running to recapping. She comes from an administrative background working at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for 8 years and has experience with meeting of all kinds of format. Faith drafts and manages agendas like a pro to take meetings from a train of thought chat to a decision making, task tracking productive dream!

Julia Wong is an administrative coordinator at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. For nearly two years, she has enjoyed making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. With her anthropology degree, Julia has a keen interest in understanding people, which drives her passion for teamwork and collaboration. Julia thrives on creating a positive work environment where everyone can excel. Cheers to teamwork!

About the Session:
Join us for this enlightening panel and equip yourself with the tools to master:
• CONNECTION: Discover practical strategies for building authentic relationships that will transform your business network.
• COMMUNICATION: Learn how to turn every interaction into a positive experience, ensuring your customers feel heard, valued, and satisfied.
• COMMITMENT: Gain insights into the dedication needed to ensure your business not only survives but thrives in today’s competitive landscape.

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your business foundation and drive success through mastering these critical areas.

About the Speakers:
Teresa Owen is the owner of Red Mountain Trails, an agri-tourism business focusing on horseback trail rides through the wine vineyards of the Red Mountain American Viticultural Area.  She has owned and operated the business for 12 years. 

Teresa is an experienced entrepreneur with 40 years of experience in customer service, hospitality, and tourism, along with 20 years in software testing, where she specialized in delivering difficult news gracefully. Teresa is passionate about helping businesses achieve excellence in customer service and fostering meaningful connections with their customers and colleagues.
She is passionate about empowering women in business and sharing her insights on how to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. 

She served on the Board of Directors for the Red Mountain AVA Alliance for 3 years.

As a former member of Toastmasters International, she was an award winning speaker in her district and region. 

Red Mountain Trails has been featured in Mary Jane’s Farm magazine, Tasting and Touring magazine, Ruralite magazine, Washington State Tasting Room Magazine, PBS, numerous local and regional news outlets, and Martha Stewart Living.

Red Mountain Trails has been the recipient of the Visit Tri-Cities “Excellence in Customer Service” award, the Trip Advisor “Certificate of Excellence” and other accolades.  

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​​Audra Thurman is the owner and principal designer of Yet Lovely, an interior design + retail shoppe in Richland. Audra's life purpose is to find beauty and hope in the most unlikely places and is committed to helping business owners do the same, no matter their circumstance or experience. Audra resides in South Richland with her husband of 21 years and three children.

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​​Shannon Spencer is a dynamic speaker, trainer, coach, and collaborator with a rich history of fostering meaningful connections and driving business growth. As a past Chamber Ambassador, BNI Launch Director, co-founder of the award-winning Women of Influence Toastmaster group, and founder of the Savvy Woman Christian Business Network—which flourished for seven years—Shannon has honed her expertise in building robust networks and empowering business owners to achieve their goals.
 
Currently, Shannon hosts the **Soul-Fueled Success podcast**, where she shares insights and inspiration for visionary women on their entrepreneurial journey. She also founded the **Collab Cafe**, a virtual networking initiative designed to equip and empower business people to connect, create genuine relationships, and collaborate for mutual success.
 
With her impactful presentations at numerous women’s groups and retreats, Shannon's commitment to helping others succeed transforms challenges into growth opportunities, making her a sought-after coach and mentor for business communities everywhere.
 
Shannon lives in Richland with her husband and their two dogs, Beau and Phoebe. She enjoys watercolor painting, hanging out with friends, and cruising with the top down in their sunny yellow Mustang.

About the Session:
Come join three local women entrepreneurs for an exciting and practical panel conversation about thriving as a business leader in the Tri-Cities. Each panelist will share stories and strategies for their different businesses (a wealth management firm, an independent jewelry business, and non-profit for women survivors) but also explore what they have in common among their challenges and successes. No matter what type of business fires your passion for entrepreneurship, you’ll find wisdom, experience and inspiration here. Each panelist also has special takeaways that will resonate beyond the conference, so don’t miss it!

About the Speakers:
​Growing up in a small town in Idaho, Kamille Bloxham couldn’t wait to get out and experience the world. Following high school graduation, she enrolled in a private university on the island of Oahu. She expected her life to begin to bloom from there - what she wasn’t expecting was the wave of (nope, not water) depression and anxiety to enter her life. Over the last 10 years, while learning how to balance her mental health struggles, Kamille has navigated a career in healthcare and, 2 years ago, embraced the path of entrepreneurship. Along with her sister-in-law, Kamille co-owns and operates Banded by Bloxham, Tri-Cities’ biggest permanent jewelry company. Kamille has become a leader in her growing industry as she has focused on progress over perfection, emphasized connection & networking, and overcome the internal struggles that come with trying to be YOUR best.

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Michelle Clary built a financial advising firm in the TriCities from the ground up. She founded the practice that become Piton Wealth more than two decades ago, in order to realize a vision of benefitting clients with comprehensive financial planning, but embedded in a culture where client service, beginning to end, was oriented to their life goals and holistic wellness. Originating as a one-woman practice, Piton Wealth has become a $15M firm with revenue exceeding $6M and a dozen employees in two offices.

Michelle recently celebrated twenty-five years of marriage to her husband, Andy. Together they have raised two sons (born and raised in Kennewick), the older now in his second year at college and the younger will be starting college this year. Andy, an electrical engineer, now also works at Piton Wealth. With Michelle’s family roots including experience with her father’s financial advising, her career journey has been intimately intertwined with her family, faith and committed service to her clients and community.

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Amanda Lorraine, an overcomer of adversity in her young life, was inspired to mentor women and to train underprivileged women to gain work skills so they can secure a future for themselves and their children. Amanda diligently worked to launch Grace Kitchen in December 2020. Amanda’s biggest victories have been seeing women’s lives transformed and overseeing the renovations of the old Union Gospel Mission building into a job training facility and home base for Grace Kitchen. Grace Kitchen’s doors opened for our first outreach day, on December 3, 2020. The two years have offered nearly 30,000 hours of job training and mentorship to women survivors in the community. The goal of this growing nonprofit is to provide hope and opportunity for lasting change for women survivors of trafficking, addiction, homelessness, and poverty. Amanda spends time engaging with her family, reading books, and serving her community. In her spare time, she loves spending time hiking, backpacking, and doing everything outdoors.

About the Session:
​As a seasoned traveler, parent, consultant, business coach and friend, Diana has observed a profound need for humans to reconnect with themselves as well as others to live healthy and fulfilled lives. We are wired for connection. For a variety of reasons, more than ever, people today struggle with loneliness, and a false sense of “connection”. She believes there are 7
foundational elements to living a joyful and authentically connected life. This session will prompt participants to consider multiple aspects of their lives and reflect genuinely on the current level of connectedness in each category. The workshop will provide activities, stories and ideas of how best to increase connection and joy in each foundational pillar. Those who attend will find it both engaging and introspective.

About the Speaker:
​​As a longtime organizational development professional, Diana Williams has generated hundreds of original training programs, speaking engagements, workshops and learning exercises to meet the needs of her clients. She has facilitated strategy sessions, workshops, and experiences to ensure purposeful outcomes. As part of her consulting practice, she created and received two federally registered trademarked sales models to promote her original C5 Sales Solutions methodology and concepts. These models generated new business results (and continue to do so) for her clients as well as her own business. As a result of her workshops and original content, her clients have grown revenue, deepened client relationships, as well as increased awareness, enhanced knowledge, and improved skills in a variety of subjects.
 
Inspiring others through engaging content is one of her greatest joys and gifts. Diana is known for delivering her own material, as well as other client directed content. She has been asked to deliver keynote conferences, as well as train within large and mid-size organizations. As part of the training delivery process, she uses audience connection and engagement skills, identifies themes and areas for improvement and provide follow up surveys. Audience members & learners leave delighted, inspired and with an enhanced skillset after participating in her learning experiences. She has educated, supported, and coached leaders. Over the past 5 years, and due to the changing work environment, onboarding has become more important and a specific focus for her. Attracting, engaging, and retaining top talent is paramount to organizational success and it is top of mind for many CEO’s, Senior Leaders, and HR Professionals. Creating a sense of belonging through authentic connection and is a lifelong mission for Diana. 

About the Session:
Unlock your team’s potential in our dynamic session on leveraging the Belbin Behavioral Analysis Tool to enhance individual and team performance. Discover how identifying and understanding the nine Belbin team roles, ranging from the creative Plant to the meticulous Completer Finisher, can transform your team's dynamics and productivity. This interactive session will guide you through the principles of Belbin's model and how we apply it, helping you to pinpoint your own  Belbin team role and those of your colleagues. Deploying this process through practical strategies will aid in aligning team roles with project needs, improving communication, and fostering collaboration.

Learn the value of understanding how each member of the team operates to improve productivity, increase employee retention, and raise the morale of the team which will spread into the larger organization.

How do we get the best out of ourselves and each other if we do not really understand our behaviors?

About the Speakers:
Dr. Chris Burrows holds a PHD in Mechanical Engineering and has over 40 years of Executive/Senior Management experience leading teams in the UK, Europe, Aisa and the U.S.   Chris’s experience lies primarily in Engineering, Project Management and Strategic Planning.
 
Tony Burrows has over 20 years of senior Management experience across both the commercial and government sectors in the U.S. and the UK. Tony has spent the majority of his career leading teams in sales, marketing, finance and contracts.
 
Both Chris and Tony have spent most of their careers focused on getting the best out of high performing individuals and teams. They use our combined years of experience and their different backgrounds to apply proven theories through a practical lens.

About the Session:
This panel will explore the importance of hormones in women’s health and how changes in our 30s and later in perimenopause and menopause impact every system in our bodies. Find out how nutrition, supplements, proper exercise, and hormone replacement can help support our bodies - skeletal, muscular, vascular and more - as we begin to and continue to lose hormones. And lastly, how can we talk about “all this” at work when we fear being branded as lower performers or complainers?

About the Speakers:
Staci West is a strategic communications leader with more than 25 years’ experience across science, technology, energy, and the environment.

She serves as manager of Communications for Bechtel’s role leading design, construction, and commissioning of the Department of Energy’s Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. In that role for nine years, she manages a team of 7 responsible for employee communications, community outreach, digital media presence, and stakeholder relations for the
project.

For more than 15 years, she led and executed national media outreach, integrated communication campaigns, and employee engagement across multiple business sectors for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

She started her career as a newspaper journalist and finds that the drive for the truth and the talent to ask tough questions has led her to questioning, learning and advocating in her own perimenopausal journey.

Staci is a member of the board for the Tri-City Regional Chamber and for the local women's networking group Powerful Connections. She previously has been on the boards of Visit Tri-Cities, American Red Cross,and United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties. She lives in Richland with her husband, Corey, and appreciates the experience of being a stepmom to two
grown “boys” and a stepgrandma.

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Rhonda Bonilla is the Medical Director for Sculpt Wellness of Kennewick and Pasco. She is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 30 years of combined experience in trauma/emergency, immunology, dermatology, functional wellness, and primary care.

She continually seeks to expand her knowledge and understanding of the human body so as to better serve her clients. Not only is she passionate about beauty services like Botox and hair rejuvenation, but she also can evaluate, manage and guide you in hormone therapy, peptides, bio-identical hormones, weight loss plans, thyroid optimization, sleep plans, libido, anti-inflammatory pathways and so much more in the wellness journey.

She serves on the International Board of Directors for Heart to Honduras, a not-for-profit community development agency, and has served on many mission trips to Honduras. She and her husband enjoy traveling, which mostly includes visiting their kids in Texas and Tennessee.

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Emily Nielsen is the founder and owner of Nielsen Integrative Nutrition and a certified nutritionist who specializes in providing a complementary alternative and therapeutic approach to health through nutritional counseling.

She earned a Master’s of Science degree in Nutrition and Integrative Health from the nationally accredited Maryland University of Integrative Health. As a Certified Nutritionist (CN) in Washington State and nationally accredited Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), her clinical nutrition practice offers a complementary, alternative and therapeutic approach to health and healing via nutritional counseling. Her practice focuses on nutrition education for specific disease states and general wellness, with an emphasis on digestive and gut health. Using a functional approach to assess for core imbalances, she works with clients of all ages to address the root causes of their health concerns and help them restore balance through dietary and lifestyle changes.

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Cheri Montee is an accomplished Human Resources Director with Columbia Ability Alliance and a Columbia Basin chapter Society for Human Resource Management board member with a proven track record in people management. With expertise in Project Management, Staffing, Retention, and Leadership Development, Cheri has successfully navigated the complexities of the HR landscape.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, Cheri believes that a strong work culture is the cornerstone of HR success. Whether collaborating with colleagues or advocating for employees, she consistently delivers results.

About the Session:
Unlock your potential and pave the way to personal and professional success with this comprehensive course on strategic planning, tailored specifically for women. This course offers a blend of theoretical insights and practical tools to help you understand, develop, and implement effective strategic plans.

​About the Speaker:
Angelica Montes is an Associate Director at PSE of WA. With a background in strategic communications, labor relations, and nonprofits, she specializes in data analytics by developing comprehensive and efficient analysis for various departments across the state to meet organizational goals and optimize the member experience.

Montes holds an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. She has over 6 years of experience in labor relations and worked on research involving state labor projections, county salary comparisons and employer financial health reports. She has worked with a diverse range of organizations, from local businesses to state and national organizations, establishing partnerships and implementing effective strategies for growth and success.

In addition to her professional work, Montes is passionate about empowering others to unlock their potential and achieve their personal and professional goals. She believes that strategic planning is a powerful tool that can help others break through barriers. Her mission is to provide others with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to create their own roadmaps to success.