Marva Bailer (center) at the 2022 Power Up Conference with Lisa Mae Brunson (L) and Katica Roy (R). (Photo by Karianne Munstedt.)

You will be wowed from the start. That is the intention.

Take The Lead’s Power Up Conference & Concert on Women’s Equality Day, “Lead Your Intention,” offers a full day of keynotes, panels, roundtables and sessions with acclaimed speakers, leaders, founders, consultants, entrepreneurs and authors —all with the mission to help you achieve your career and life goals with specific strategies, alliances, information and insights.

“@Takeleadwomen ‘s #PowerUp Conference & Concert on #WomensEqualityDay, “Lead Your Intention,” offers a full day of keynotes, panels, roundtables and sessions with the mission to help you achieve your #career and #lifegoals.”

Register here for The August 26 Power Up Concert & Conference

The 15 in-person roundtables are the brainchildren of Felicia Davis, Founder & CEO of the Black Women's Collective, Take The Lead Leadership ambassador and award-winning leadership coach who works with women leaders to develop effective leadership brands, compelling communication skills, and the confidence to show up and be the leader they want to be.

A key force in creating all the Power Up Conferences, Davis aligns her mission of the Black Women's Collective creating a community of Black female thought-leaders who share information, tips, strategies, and news to help others brand their brilliance and crack the code of leadership to support the mission of gender parity in leadership across all sectors as defined by Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead.

Read more in Take The Lead on Felicia Davis
Commenting on the success of the original Power Up Conference, Davis says, “The energy during the two-day conference was palpable. The conference taught women the keys to overcoming obstacles and reaching their goals and made it easy for them to learn not just from the speakers, but from each other as well. Everyone walked away with practical information she could use to ‘power up’ her leadership skills.”

The topics of the in-person roundtables of this year’s Power Up Conference & Concert August 26 range from resilience to social media, tech, project management and more. Leaders of a few of the many beneficial roundtables share the highlights and expectations of the day.

“The topics of the in-person roundtables of this year’s @Takeleadwomen #PowerUp Conference & Concert August 26 range from resilience to social media, tech, project management and more. #leadershipskills #careergrowth”

Marva Bailer, Vice President of Globality and author of the award-winning Be Unexpected, leads the roundtable, “Wow Them From the Start: Create Your Walk-Up Song to Engage & Connect.”

“This will offer insight into how to connect immediately, breaking into the classic business meeting,” says Bailer, winner of the 2023 World Changers Award. Her session offers strategies in “creating positive energy and connection early in a conversation; how to stand out delivering pitches for entrepreneurs and how to optimize meeting interactions and time.”

In Bailer’s session, participants will see first-hand the difference between body language and politeness versus engagement and connection. Women will be able to tap into their inner strength and gain valuable tools, insight, boost confidence, and be inspired.

“In @MarvaBailer ‘s session, participants will see first-hand the difference between body language and politeness versus engagement and connection. Women will be able to tap into their inner strength and gain valuable tools, insight, boost confidence, and be inspired. #careersuccess ”

Participants in Bailer’s roundtable can expect, “Smiles and joy,” Bailer says, as well as “the confidence to break routines and the ability for bridging feelings to action.”

Bailer’s new book is the culmination of five years of field research with over 100 global companies, interviews with people from students to CEO's combined with primary research from industry luminaries dating back to the 1920s. She will share her discoveries in the roundtable.

“I want everyone to experience positive connections and shared experiences. Life is too short,” Bailer says. “I am energized by meeting new people and creating shared value. We can all learn from each other.”

““I want everyone to experience positive connections and shared experiences. Life is too short,” @MarvaBailer says. “I am energized by meeting new people and creating shared value. We can all learn from each other.” #PowerUpConference”

The first line in the first chapter of her book aligns with the conference theme, she says. "Burst out of the comfort zone with intentional spontaneity to bring change and joy."

In the roundtable, “Unleash Your Tech Career Potential: Empowerment Tools To Dismantle Traditional Barriers in Tech,” Shirelle Francis, PMP, CSM, OCM, and CEO/Founder of iLeapGroup Consulting promises the session will foster “a resilient mindset to inspire and lead future generations of women in technology.”

“In my roundtable on unleashing your tech career, participants can expect to learn valuable insights into navigating and excelling in the tech industry,” says Francis. “I offer guidance on identifying growth opportunities, honing essential tech skills, and overcoming obstacles that may hinder career advancement. Additionally, I share strategies for building a strong professional network and leveraging it to unlock new possibilities within the tech sector.”

With open discussions, “practical examples and real-world scenarios, participants gain a deeper understanding of how to thrive in the tech space,” Francis says.

““In my #PowerUp roundtable on unleashing your #techcareer, participants can expect to learn valuable insights into navigating and excelling in the tech industry,” says Francis. “I offer guidance on identifying growth opportunities, honing essential tech skills, and overcoming obstacles that may hinder #career #advancement.””

This is a passionate mission for Francis, particularly reaching out to individuals in underserved communities. “Having personally experienced the transformative power of technology in my life, I feel compelled to pay it forward by helping others unlock their potential in this field. I know that more than often women—especially women of color—are underestimated. My journey from overcoming adversity to thriving in the digital space drives my commitment to supporting others on their tech career paths.”

Dr. Randee L. Sanders, founder of RL Sanders & Associates, LLC, leads the roundtable, “Leap Into your Greatness: How To Lead By Design.”

“At my roundtable, women will learn to identify a few common habits that hurt career growth, such as communication styles, visibility, being a ‘worker bee,’ and executive presence,” says Sanders. “In addition, I will offer an opportunity for women to discuss the hurdles that hinder their career growth.”

Key learnings for participants in-person are that, “They can expect to walk away knowing their communication styles, understanding the impact visibility has on career growth, and strategies to enhance visibility; also, they will leave with key steps to develop their executive presence,” Sanders says.

“Women must position themselves for their desired role. It is not going to be easy because it requires brainwork and action, but it is simple,” she says. “If they go all in, they will see the results of enhanced communication, confidence, and be received as a valuable contributor to their company.”

““Women must position themselves for their desired role,” @DrRLSanders says. “If they go all in, they will see the results of enhanced communication, confidence, and be received as a valuable contributor to their company.” #careergrowth”

Register here for Early Bird Discount through July for Power Up 2023

Sanders knows firsthand how to transform her career with design, not default. She explains, “I was tired of being my company’s best-kept secret. I followed the societal construct or traditional path to climb the career ladder. I pursued higher education, held a doctorate degree, started at the entry level, worked my way up, and bam! ‘Who placed that glass ceiling there?’” Sanders says.

She adds, “I’m a pretty bold and outspoken woman who desired to go higher and was met with opposition. At that pivotal moment, I decided to turn the opposition into an opportunity to L.E.A.P into my greatness. It was my time to become the designer of my career. From that moment, my soul calling became educating the next generation of women leaders, transforming their lives, and supporting them to play in their self-selected arena.”

With more than a dozen other roundtables in person at the event, participants can expect an enormous amount of support, information, acknowledgment, insight and tools to move forward in a path that is based on intention and power.

“The community created by Power Up is immediate and intentional,” says Bailer. “Gloria and the team do an amazing job of curating a diverse group of thought leaders from different industries, career stages, political views, and geographies.”

““The #community created by #PowerUp is immediate and intentional,” says Bailer. “@GloriaFeldt and the team do an amazing job of curating a diverse group of thought leaders from different industries, #career stages, political views, and geographies.””

She adds, “The common interest is curiosity and sharing. The format of the conference program allows for learning, sharing and connecting. There is time for introspection built into the format which leaves you energized, supported and ready to put into action.”

Francis also anticipates that the conference will be beneficial to all those who participate—in person and virtually. “The Power Up conference is a crucial event for individuals seeking to advance their careers and embrace technology's transformative potential. Attending the conference offers a unique opportunity to gain insights from industry experts, learn about cutting-edge advancements, and connect with like-minded professionals.”

According to Francis, “The conference fosters a supportive community and provides valuable resources to help attendees take their careers to new heights. Whether you're a seasoned tech professional or just starting, the Power Up conference equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the tech landscape successfully.”

Attending the conference on Women’s Equality Day is both symbolic and necessary.

“The time is now to live our extraordinary lives,” says Sanders. “The Power Up conference allows women to own their position and power and dispel the invisible code by showing up, speaking out, networking upward, and cultivating new partnerships. The Power Up conference is a supportive and empowering ecosystem.”

““The @Takeleadwomen #PowerUp conference allows women to own their position and power and dispel the invisible code by showing up, speaking out, #networking upward, and cultivating new partnerships. The Power Up conference is a supportive and empowering ecosystem.” — @DrRLSanders.”

Davis adds, “I have a profound belief that great leadership starts with personal transformation.”

Leadership Takeaway of the Week:

"Burst out of the comfort zone with intentional spontaneity to bring change and joy."

Marva Bailer, Vice President of Globality and author of Be Unexpected

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About the Author

Michele Weldon is editorial director of Take The Lead, an award-winning author, journalist, emerita faculty in journalism at Northwestern University and a senior leader with The OpEd Project. @micheleweldon www.micheleweldon.com