Speaking POWER - The Secret to Inspiring Transformation

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.

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