We have planned a wide variety of sessions for this year’s conference, all of them presented by engaging and thought-provoking speakers. All sessions will take place at the Omni Severin Hotel unless otherwise noted. All times are Eastern.
Harry and Izzy’s—Downtown Indianapolis
Join us as we meet and connect before the conference. Hear from Leanna Chroman (PG’25), former Purdue Women’s Conference keynote speaker and vice president of culture and learning at Huse Culinary, and participate in a shrimp and cocktail sauce tasting. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. You can sign up for this gathering as an add-on when you register for the conference. The cost is $45 per person. Space is limited, so register soon!
Karen Gibson
As a retired lieutenant general and former sergeant at arms for the U.S. Senate, Gibson has been a leader during some of our nation’s most challenging moments. She will uncover what separates leaders who merely survive crises from those who transform obstacles into catalysts for organizational strength and resilience.
Meghan Collins
Women are adopting AI at lower rates than men, causing them to miss opportunities for influence, visibility, and impact. Collins will give you actionable steps to help you lean into your full potential by experimenting with AI.
Julie Bauke
Through her career happiness framework, Bauke helps women discover their value, get clear on what they truly want, and build careers that fit their lives. She will discuss the power of pivoting, building self-trust, and giving yourself permission to pursue what’s next
Tasha Eizinger
Eizinger will guide you through reflections on your life journey as you build a courage quilt. You will feel empowered to remember who you are and who you can be.
Women can be exceptional multitaskers, managing countless responsibilities at work and home, but this may leave them with little room for strategic thinking. Through personal stories and practical advice, Hall will help you create space for reflection, reframe your thinking, and embrace the power of intentional life and career planning.
Annelise Clark
After receiving an autism diagnosis in her mid-20s, Clark has transformed her personal and professional life into something she is proud of. She will walk you through the lessons she has learned so far, dive into the strategic benefits of a diverse workplace, and encourage self-advocacy for accommodations and mental health.
Nicole Gebhardt
Gebhardt will share an evidence-based framework for planning a book before you begin writing. She will unpack why many first books struggle; what successful authors decide earlier than others; and how to evaluate your idea, audience, and publishing options with confidence and discernment.
Jill Lehman
Lehman will inspire you to stop letting your career drift on autopilot and begin guiding it with intention. She will share her experiences and use an engaging framework with interactive reflections to help you create a career that excites and fulfills you.
Heidi Foster
After more than two decades in the male-dominated automotive collision repair industry, Foster has learned how to earn respect, build influence, and create opportunity where it didn’t exist before. She will share the lessons that shaped her career as a woman leading large-scale operations and creating programs to advance women and future leaders.
Unwind and continue the conversation with the women you met at the conference. Sing karaoke and play games, including bowling, ping pong, Jenga, and arcade games. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. This gathering is open to all attendees at no additional cost.
Toyinda Smith
Smith will show you how to use Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy focused on small, consistent improvements, and self-coaching strategies to create daily momentum without overwhelm. She will provide you with reflective inquiry, simple habit tracking, and gentle accountability.
Kelly Eidson
Discover how generative chat AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, can simplify daily tasks, spark creativity, and boost productivity. Eidson will show you practical ways to use AI for personal and professional success—no technology background required!
Laura Jones
Jones will introduce you to GEMS—Girls Excelling in Math and Science—a club she created to support girls in math and science. She will empower you to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers.
Amber Kinser
Imposter syndrome can affect your self-confidence, mental health, and career development. Kinser will provide you with concrete steps for managing imposter thinking so you can be more impactful in your work and community.
Beverly Craig
Craig will share how faith, an engineering mindset, and Lean Six Sigma tools helped her navigate her breast cancer experiences. From diagnosis to recovery, she will reveal how systems thinking and spiritual grounding created a healing roadmap and how adversity deepened her commitment to mentorship and authentic leadership.
Deb Miller
Miller will offer practical tips on finding happiness through the lens of science and storytelling. She will share insights from her recently published memoir, Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness, to help you rewrite your story.
Karil Sommers
Sommers will use sounds and vibrations to bring you to a deeper state of relaxation before settling into a Yoga Nidra guided meditation. She will also share the benefits, history, and cultural significance of sound baths and Yoga Nidra. If you have epilepsy, sound sensitivity, a heart condition, or metal implants, you should consult with a doctor before participating because the vibrations may trigger negative side effects.
Shelby Gruss, other panelists TBD…
Moderators: Julie Dussliere and Eva Nodine
During this panel discussion, Paralympian [Other Panelist TBD], Olympian [Other Panelist TBD], and Para athlete Gruss will provide an inside look into the grit and determination it took to compete. They will also share how Purdue University and Purdue Global shaped their journeys.
Harry and Izzy’s—Downtown Indianapolis
Join us as we meet and connect before the conference. Hear from Leanna Chroman (PG’25), former Purdue Women’s Conference keynote speaker and vice president of culture and learning at Huse Culinary, and participate in a shrimp and cocktail sauce tasting. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. You can sign up for this gathering as an add-on when you register for the conference. The cost is $45 per person. Space is limited, so register soon!
Karen Gibson
As a retired lieutenant general and former sergeant at arms for the U.S. Senate, Gibson has been a leader during some of our nation’s most challenging moments. She will uncover what separates leaders who merely survive crises from those who transform obstacles into catalysts for organizational strength and resilience.
Meghan Collins
Women are adopting AI at lower rates than men, causing them to miss opportunities for influence, visibility, and impact. Collins will give you actionable steps to help you lean into your full potential by experimenting with AI.
Julie Bauke
Through her career happiness framework, Bauke helps women discover their value, get clear on what they truly want, and build careers that fit their lives. She will discuss the power of pivoting, building self-trust, and giving yourself permission to pursue what’s next
Tasha Eizinger
Eizinger will guide you through reflections on your life journey as you build a courage quilt. You will feel empowered to remember who you are and who you can be.
Women can be exceptional multitaskers, managing countless responsibilities at work and home, but this may leave them with little room for strategic thinking. Through personal stories and practical advice, Hall will help you create space for reflection, reframe your thinking, and embrace the power of intentional life and career planning.
Annelise Clark
After receiving an autism diagnosis in her mid-20s, Clark has transformed her personal and professional life into something she is proud of. She will walk you through the lessons she has learned so far, dive into the strategic benefits of a diverse workplace, and encourage self-advocacy for accommodations and mental health.
Nicole Gebhardt
Gebhardt will share an evidence-based framework for planning a book before you begin writing. She will unpack why many first books struggle; what successful authors decide earlier than others; and how to evaluate your idea, audience, and publishing options with confidence and discernment.
Jill Lehman
Lehman will inspire you to stop letting your career drift on autopilot and begin guiding it with intention. She will share her experiences and use an engaging framework with interactive reflections to help you create a career that excites and fulfills you.
Heidi Foster
After more than two decades in the male-dominated automotive collision repair industry, Foster has learned how to earn respect, build influence, and create opportunity where it didn’t exist before. She will share the lessons that shaped her career as a woman leading large-scale operations and creating programs to advance women and future leaders.
Unwind and continue the conversation with the women you met at the conference. Sing karaoke and play games, including bowling, ping pong, Jenga, and arcade games. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. This gathering is open to all attendees at no additional cost.
Toyinda Smith
Smith will show you how to use Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy focused on small, consistent improvements, and self-coaching strategies to create daily momentum without overwhelm. She will provide you with reflective inquiry, simple habit tracking, and gentle accountability.
Kelly Eidson
Discover how generative chat AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, can simplify daily tasks, spark creativity, and boost productivity. Eidson will show you practical ways to use AI for personal and professional success—no technology background required!
Laura Jones
Jones will introduce you to GEMS—Girls Excelling in Math and Science—a club she created to support girls in math and science. She will empower you to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers.
Amber Kinser
Imposter syndrome can affect your self-confidence, mental health, and career development. Kinser will provide you with concrete steps for managing imposter thinking so you can be more impactful in your work and community.
Beverly Craig
Craig will share how faith, an engineering mindset, and Lean Six Sigma tools helped her navigate her breast cancer experiences. From diagnosis to recovery, she will reveal how systems thinking and spiritual grounding created a healing roadmap and how adversity deepened her commitment to mentorship and authentic leadership.
Deb Miller
Miller will offer practical tips on finding happiness through the lens of science and storytelling. She will share insights from her recently published memoir, Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness, to help you rewrite your story.
Karil Sommers
Sommers will use sounds and vibrations to bring you to a deeper state of relaxation before settling into a Yoga Nidra guided meditation. She will also share the benefits, history, and cultural significance of sound baths and Yoga Nidra. If you have epilepsy, sound sensitivity, a heart condition, or metal implants, you should consult with a doctor before participating because the vibrations may trigger negative side effects.
Ashley Farquharson and Shelby Gruss
Moderators: Julie Dussliere and Eva Nodine
During this panel discussion, Olympian Farquharson and Para athlete Gruss will provide an inside look into the grit and determination it took to compete. They will also share how Purdue University and Purdue Global shaped their journeys.
