2026 Leadership Conference: Full Schedule

8:30am EDT

Emcee Remarks

Saturday April 11, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT

Emcee Renee Wynn welcomes the attendees, emphasizes on the background & theme, and goes through key house keeping items.

Speakers

Renee Wynn

Strategic Advisor, RP Wynn Consulting LLC

Renee Wynn is a seasoned executive and board advisor with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning environmental policy, global IT operations, cybersecurity, and supply chain risk management. She has led complex, mission-critical programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection... Read More →

Saturday April 11, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT
5 East (5th Floor)

8:50am EDT

Rising to the Moment: Leadership Lessons from History's Front Lines (Keynote)

Saturday April 11, 2026 8:50am - 9:15am EDT

5 East (5th Floor)

For four decades, Ann Compton reported from the front lines of American History as a pioneering White House correspondent for ABC News. Drawing on her extraordinary career covering seven U.S. presidents and historic global events, including reporting aboard Air Force One on September 11, she shares firsthand insights on leadership in moments of crisis, evolving the role of journalism, and the power of credible storytelling in shaping public understanding. Compton offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the decisions and defining moments that have shaped modern American leadership and media.

Speakers

Ann Compton

Former White House Correspondent, ABC News

As the first woman assigned to cover the White House on network television and with 41years on the air for ABC News, her longevity and impact are unparalleled. Compton’s career spanned seven presidents and 10 presidential campaigns. President Barack Obama announced her retirement... Read More →

Saturday April 11, 2026 8:50am - 9:15am EDT
5 East (5th Floor)

Mainstage, Keynote

9:25am EDT

Mission Ready: Leading Through Uncertainty and Challenge (Keynote)

Saturday April 11, 2026 9:25am - 9:45am EDT

5 East (5th Floor)

From the cockpit of a space shuttle to the forefront of global innovation, Pamela Melroy has built a career defined by courage, resilience and bold leadership. In this inspiring keynote, Melroy shares powerful lessons from her journey as an astronaut, space shuttle commander, and NASA Deputy Administrator--revealing how embracing uncertainty and rising through challenge can unlock extraordinary potential. Through compelling stories of perseverance, teamwork and purpose-driven leadership she inspires women leaders to lead with confidence, push beyond perceived limits, and help shape the future for those who follow.

Speakers

Colonel Pam Melroy, USAF, Retd.

Deputy Administrator, NASA

Pam Melroy is a senior aerospace executive with government and industry experience across civil, commercial, and national security space. She is the former Deputy Administrator of NASA, a former NASA astronaut and Space Shuttle commander, and a retired US Air Force test pilot.

Melroy was commissioned in the United States Air Force and served as a KC-10 copilot, aircraft commander, and instructor pilot. Melroy is a veteran of Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, with over 200 combat and combat support hours. She attended the Air... Read More →

Saturday April 11, 2026 9:25am - 9:45am EDT
5 East (5th Floor)

Mainstage, Keynote

10:00am EDT

Where are You on AI?

Saturday April 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT

5 East (5th Floor)

This opening session is designed to spark curiosity, not provide answers. By mapping perspectives across the room and surfacing the questions people are asking about AI, participants will gain clarity on the changes ahead.

Speakers

Bob Etris

Managing Partner, Evans

As Managing Partner at Evans, Bob Etris transforms complex organizational challenges into clear, sustainable solutions. Since joining Evans in 2003, he has systematically built practical frameworks that bridge technology, business needs, and — most importantly — human dynamics... Read More →

Saturday April 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am EDT
5 East (5th Floor)

Mainstage

12:40pm EDT

Buffet Lunch

Saturday April 11, 2026 12:40pm - 1:10pm EDT

5 East (5th Floor)

Main Course Selections include (will be labeled):
Herb Grilled Chicken Breast - GF
Cedar Wrapped Salmon - GF
Asparagus & Meyer Lemon Risotto - GF, V
Brie and Bow Tie Pasta - V
Roasted Vegetables - GF, Veg

Romaine salad - GF, Veg
Assorted breads

Dessert:
Dark Chocolate Cakelets- GF, V
Key Lime Pie Sweet Shot - V
Cheesecake Pops - V

Saturday April 11, 2026 12:40pm - 1:10pm EDT
5 East (5th Floor)

1:15pm EDT

The Women's Center Program

Saturday April 11, 2026 1:15pm - 1:50pm EDT

5 East (5th Floor)

Saturday April 11, 2026 1:15pm - 1:50pm EDT
5 East (5th Floor)

2:00pm EDT

(Panel) Growing into Leadership: Mentors, Moves, and Mindset

Saturday April 11, 2026 2:00pm - 2:25pm EDT

5 East (5th Floor)

Katy Breuer moderates a panel discussion with Tiffany Goddard, Karen Hanscom, and Shannon Teel on the pivotal moments that shaped their leadership journeys. From early career moves to navigating setbacks, they’ll share how mentorship, intentional risks, and mindset shifts fueled their growth.

Speakers

Karen Hanscom

Director of Sales, Carahsoft

Karen Hanscom is the Director of Sales for Carahsoft’s Adobe Public Sector Business Unit at Carahsoft Technology Corp. In this role, she leads sales, marketing, and go-to-market strategy for Adobe’s Digital Experience solutions across the U.S. and Canadian public sector markets... Read More →

Tiffany Goddard

Vice President of Sales, Carahsoft

Tiffany is currently Vice President of Sales at Carahsoft Technology. Under her leadership her team revenue grew from $0 in 2011 to over $800 million YTD in 2025. She led onboarding efforts for over 60 new partnerships this year alone and over 350 during her time with the company... Read More →

Shannon Teel

Head of North America Partnerships, Digital Learning at Adobe

Shannon Teel is Head of North America Partnerships for Digital Learning at Adobe, where she leads a partner ecosystem focused on delivering scalable, high-impact learning experiences for global organizations. Throughout her career, Shannon has been deeply committed to advancing the... Read More →

Saturday April 11, 2026 2:00pm - 2:25pm EDT
5 East (5th Floor)

Mainstage, Panel

2:30pm EDT

Turning Adversity into Strength

Saturday April 11, 2026 2:30pm - 3:05pm EDT

5 East (5th Floor)

Humanitarian worker Jessica Buchanan knows what it means to face unimaginable adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. After being kidnapped and held captive in Somalia before a dramatic rescue by U.S. Navy SEALs, Buchanan transformed her experience into a powerful message about courage, perspective, and the strength of the human spirit. In this deeply moving keynote, she shares lessons on navigating uncertainty, overcoming fear, and discovering resilience in life's most challenging moments--empowering women leaders to grow through adversity and lead with renewed purpose and strength.

Speakers

Jessica Buchanan

NY Times Bestselling Author, Motivational Speaker

On October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions... Read More →

Saturday April 11, 2026 2:30pm - 3:05pm EDT
5 East (5th Floor)

Mainstage, Keynote

8:30am EDT

8:50am EDT

9:25am EDT

10:00am EDT

12:40pm EDT

1:15pm EDT

2:00pm EDT

2:30pm EDT

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