Show up and have a new headshot taken by our professional photographer!
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Keynote: The Women of Whataburger
By Janelle Sykes Executive Vice President & CFO | Whataburger, Debbie Stroud Executive Vice President & COO | Whataburger, Peggy Rubenzer Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer | Whataburger, Elena Kraus Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer | Whataburger, Kelly McCutcheon Group Director of Training & Development | Whataburger Restaurants LLC.
The iconic brand’s CFO, COO, CPO, and CLO executive team are all women. In this engaging session, we’ll take you behind how it happened, the opportunities it’s created, and the challenges/stories of these women. And bring your questions!
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Mentors, Allies, Advocates and Sponsors
By Sheri Miksa Board Member ll GLEAM Network, and 5X CEO/President
Sheri Miksa, Board Member and Mentor Programs Chair/Leader of the nonprofit GLEAM Network, shares the importance of having mentors (and important others) in your life and how you go about finding them. The opportunity to sign up for GLEAM's upcoming signature Mentor Program cohort and to hear from current/past GLEAM Mentors about their mentoring journey will be part of the session.
Led by Sheri Miksa, Board Member/Mentor Programs Chair/Leader of the nonprofit (501(c)(3)) GLEAM Network and 5-time chain restaurant CEO/President.
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Overcoming a Career Setback (or Stagnation), and Growing Your Career
Helen Lao has more than 15 years of experience in human resources, recruiting, and leadership development, and is now leading ClearPath Solutions, a leading executive matching firm. As an executive matchmaker, Lao has seen it all. She’ll share her secrets to how to position yourself for progress as a woman in foodservice, from resume tips to negotiations, and far more.
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
How to Create Your Personal Brand Online, and Getting Your Ideas Heard
By Lena Katz Creator-Integrated Services | Ampersand
Lena Katz, creator integration strategist & campaign lead at Ampersand, helps brands strategize and execute short-form video campaigns on TikTok, IG Reels, YouTube, and OTT. She’ll bring a team of high-profile content creators to the stage to give you the toolkit necessary to build your personal profile and to find a way to stand out among all the digital influencers in today’s creator economy.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
CHART Presents: Live Ask My Peers
By Rachel Richal VP of Training | Buffalo Wild Wings, Myisha Smith Corporate Director of Training | Pacifica Hotels
Attendees will rotate through table topics and share with others, hosted by CHART (Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers), which is an association of hospitality trainers. We’ll cover everything from having difficult conversations when you’re feeling left out by management to leadership lessons for balance and well-being to being an authentic leader.
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Overcoming a Career Setback (or Stagnation), and Growing Your Career
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
How to Create Your Personal Brand Online, and Getting Your Ideas Heard
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Breakout Session: CSR Done Right and How to Make an Impact while Making a Difference
Hidinger-Kendrick and Bennett will host a candid chat on where to get started with ESG at your brand, what you need to know, and how to elevate your career by elevating others.
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Breakout Session: The Gal’s Guide to In-Person Networking
Hosted by WORTH: Women of Restaurants, Technology, and Hospitality. This session provides a toolkit of best practices for making the most of networking opportunities while addressing the unique challenges of the female experience.
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Switch Breakout Sessions
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
Closing Keynote: Quiz the board
To end the day before our closing reception, we’ll split the advisory board up into two groups and host open dialogue. Ask anything!
6:15 PM - 8:00 PM
Closing Reception
Enjoy small plates, libations, and surprising flavors from multiple stations as you wind back with a drink and connect during our flavorful sendoff!