Welcome to Prism: Moxie! A Conference for Women, proudly celebrating its fourth year of empowering women in business and leadership. Mark your calendars for June 7, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Auburn, hosted by the DeKalb Chamber Partnership. As we embark on this transformative journey, discover the essence of your own prism-like brilliance, reflecting a spectrum of leadership qualities and business acumen. With three dynamic keynote speakers and tailored breakout sessions, Prism: Moxie offers a day of inspiration and professional growth. Nourish both mind and body with a delectable catered lunch, ensuring you're fueled for success. Our new June date aims to accommodate professionals such as teachers who may find it challenging to attend during the school year, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all. Embrace your inner queen, embody your leadership potential, and seize the day with unparalleled moxie!
TEACHERS : DeKalb Central will be offering 6 PGP points for those who attend!
Guiding us through this event is longtime friend and champion of the Chamber, Christie Browning, an award-winning author and business owner, as our distinguished emcee for the day.
KEY NOTE SPEAKERS :
Whitney Bandemer
Whitney Bandemer embarked on her professional journey as a general civil litigator near the Virginia-Tennessee border, initially drawn to the legal field. However, her passion for law was soon eclipsed by a realization that traditional law firm dynamics weren't her fit.
In 2006, Whitney took a courageous leap into the realm of higher education, setting off on a nearly two-decade voyage marked by impactful milestones. This journey commenced with the establishment of an innovative pharmacy school, eventually evolving to leadership positions in a liberal arts college housing over 150 students and a comprehensive university boasting a student body exceeding 9,000.
Throughout her legal and academic tenure, Whitney cultivated a diverse skill set, serving as in-house counsel, imparting knowledge in pharmacy law for over a decade, and spearheading the construction management of four academic facilities. Notably, she revitalized a struggling Human Resources Team, managed campus-wide communications, and played an integral role in launching new educational initiatives while adeptly leading diverse teams.
Driven by a deep-seated desire to confront and resolve complex interpersonal challenges, Whitney identifies herself as an atypical leader drawn to people-centric issues. This ethos culminated in the establishment of WB Consulting, LLC in 2021, where she channels her wealth of experience into helping clients navigate their professional landscapes with insight, transparency, and steadfast support.
Under Whitney's guidance, WB Consulting has served over 30 clients, with more than 200 participants benefiting from transformative workshops and Lead Boldly Experiences. Notably, all participant evaluations consistently meet or exceed expectations, underscoring Whitney's commitment to excellence. Her consultancy has achieved a commendable 15% annual business growth, driven by her expertise in HR and management strategy, organizational planning, dynamic speaking engagements, and innovative learning experiences such as the Lead Boldly Learning program.
Sarah Payne
Born and raised in DeKalb County, Sarah Payne is a dedicated leader who embodies the very essence of "moxie" — courage, determination, and a persistent drive to enhance human potential.
After earning her bachelors degree at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Sarah returned to Northeast Indiana and has taken a career path giving her experience in sales, retail, leasing, and healthcare, spanning both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. By being open to growth and opportunities, Sarah’s career has allowed her to expand both her skills and network. She brings a wealth of insight into various professional landscapes. Sarah is a Certified Gallup™ Global Strengths Coach and a fervent advocate of a strengths-based approach to leadership. Sarah's profound dedication to uncovering and fostering human potential is evident in her work, helping individuals across different ages and sectors discover and cultivate their natural talents for peak performance and increased engagement in their roles.
In 2020, Sarah helped to launch DeKalb county’s leadership development program, DeKalb LEADS and considers it to be some of her most meaningful work. Bringing leaders together to learn, engage, activate, develop, and serve is key to creating a thriving community. Sarah now serves as the Executive Director of Fortify LEADS, a non-profit organization dedicated to the sustainability of DeKalb LEADS while also expanding leadership development and training opportunities to communities, organizations, and individuals across the region.
Sarah’s commitment to the community extends beyond leadership development into active community engagement. She has been an active change-maker on several non-profit boards and committees throughout her career. In 2022, Sarah was named as an Influential Women of Northeast Indiana, which is a program honoring women who have overcome barriers, defied social norms, and paved the way for future generations.
Cassie Beer
Cassie Beer, Women’s Director Fund, joined the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne in February 2021. Her passion for advocacy, research, and macro-level change fuels her leadership for the Women’s Fund. An Enneagram 3 and iD on the DiSC, Cassie’s top five strengths are significance, competition, achievement, strategy, and intellection. She has her MA in Professional Communication from Purdue Fort Wayne, CFRM certification from the IU School of Philanthropy, and Facilitation Certification from Purdue University. Before coming to the Community Foundation Cassie taught at Purdue Fort Wayne in the Communication Department. She is a passionate advocate for accessibility and disability rights, serving on the board of the national organization Accessible Festivals to provide training and resources for national touring music festivals.Cassie lives in Fort Wayne with her husband and their three children. Cassie loves to spend time with her family hiking at Franke Park, playing in Lakeside Park, and riding bikes on the River Greenway. She also enjoys running half marathons and recording music with her band, Rosalind & the Way!
BREAK OUT SESSION INFO
Session Title: Filling Your Own Cup: Why Fitness Matters to Your Business!
Speaker: Brittany Lewis
Organization: Mom Gets Moxie - Owner
Session Title: Mountain of Debt
Speaker: Ashlee Guthrie
Organization: 3 Rivers FCU - Strategic Engagement Manager
Session Title: Leading with Intent - Cultivating a Life of Purpose
Speaker: Sara Patrick
Organization: LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce - Executive Director
Session Title: The Leslie Knope Leadership Paradigm
Speaker: Grace Caswell
Organization: Noble County Convention and Visitor Bureau, Inc. - Executive Director
Complementary Lunch Provided by:
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors:
Thank you to our Gold Sponsors:
Sponsorships opportunities are available: contact jessica@dekalbchamberpartnership.com for more information