Thursday May 22, 2025
- 8:30 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast
- Welcome coffee and light breakfast
- Meet fellow attendees and kick off the day with introductions
- 9:15 AM
Welcome from the Event Host
Amanda Prochaska, Chief Wonder Officer, Wonder Services
- 9:30 AM
Opening Keynote: Be BOLD Today: Building Your Voice, Your Brand, and Your Future
“You don’t need permission to be bold. You just need to believe that your voice matters.”
In this empowering opening keynote, Leigh Burgess, founder of Bold Industries Group and author of the USA Today best selling book, Be BOLD Today: Unleash Your Potential, Master Your Mindset and Achieve Success, invites women to stand in their value, see the possibilities through the lens of their self-belief and voice, advocate for their and boldly lead from a place of authenticity, genuine connection, community and strength.
Through her signature BOLD Framework (Believe, Own, Learn, Design), the signature framework she created to figure of her “what’s next,” Leigh explores what it truly means to advocate for yourself in today’s evolving business landscape. She dives into the internal and external barriers women can face, imposter syndrome, over-functioning, burnout and offers bold, actionable strategies to rise above them.
This session will help attendees uncover their unique strengths, recognize their value, and design a personal brand that aligns with their true identity and aspirations. Whether you’re navigating a career shift, stepping into leadership, or simply ready to live more boldly, this talk will leave you inspired, equipped, and ready to take action.
This isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment or having it all figured out. Being bold means showing up fully as yourself, even when it’s hard, even when it’s quiet, even when it’s messy. When you learn to advocate for your needs, own your strengths, and boldly design your path, you don’t just change your story, you give others permission to do the same.
The boldest thing you can do is begin right where you are, with what you have today. So why not? Be BOLD Today.
Audience Takeaways:
• Activate the BOLD Framework to fuel personal and professional growth
• Learn to self-advocate with clarity, confidence, and courage
• Identify and own your unique value in any room you walk into
• Build and embody a personal brand that reflects who you truly are
Leigh Burgess, Founder, Bold Industries Group
- 10:15 AM
Session: Business-Orientated Leadership Development
- Tactics to navigate your relationships with managers, and strategically influence stakeholders / leadership
- Speaking the language of the business
Anna McGovern, Managing Director, Pondview Consulting
Michelle Vita, Vice President, Procurement & Strategic Sourcing, Datadog
Cassye Provost-Cook, CPO, Paylocity
- 10:45 AM
Open room discussion with moderated Q&A
Overcoming barriers in the workplace
- Silent discrimination and workplace bullying
- Breaking down competitive barriers amongst women and helping to support, and build each other up
- Fostering self-advocacy and confidence – negotiating pay, or career moves
- 11:15 AM
Coffee, Networking & Book Signing
Have your free copy of Be BOLD Today signed by Leigh Burgess!
- 11:45 AM
Session: Embracing AI as an Ally
- How to leverage AI as a tool for efficiency and innovation in your role
- How to position yourself for success in an evolving technological landscape
- Embrace the change!
Rose Punkunus, Founder & CEO, Sudozi
Followed by: Open room discussion with moderated Q&A
- 12:15 PM
Session: Building Your Executive Presence Through Emotional Intelligence
- Cultivate a commanding presence by using emotional intelligence to boost confidence and influence
- Master self-awareness and emotional control to navigate high-pressure situations with composure
- Strengthen communication skills to speak with clarity, assertiveness, and authority
- Enhance stakeholder relationships to build stronger connections and drive collaboration
- 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
- 1:45 PM
Voices in Procurement - Roundtable Discussions
- 2:30 PM
Session: Business Chemistry - Appreciating Different Personalities
- How to tailor your approach to working with different personality types and how to leverage your strengths for success / managing difficult conversations in the workplace
Amanda Prochaska, Chief Wonder Officer, Wonder Services
Shachi Rai Gupta, Vice President Strategy, ORO Labs
Charlotte De Brabandt, Head of IT Partner Management (IT Sourcing) & Deputy Head of IT Governance and Compliance, ZF Group
Phyllis Wooding, Procurement leader, Former Kraft Heinz
Followed by Open room discussion with moderated Q&A
- 3:20 PM
Coffee Break & Ideas Exchange
- 3:45 PM
Fireside Chat: Navigating Your Career & Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Procurement
- Insights from women at the top of their career journey, and from the next generation
- Insights from women who transitioned into procurement, or out of it!
- Practical advice and strategies for career advancement
- Insights on mentorship, sponsorship and advocating for yourself in the workplace
- Creating an environment which supports other women
- Inspiring young talent and fostering growth
Lisa Westgate, Founder & CEO, Procurement & Supplier Diversity Leader
Leana Maharaj, Principal Consultant, Valiant Strategies
Michelle Cleary, Marketing Procurement Senior Category Manager, Anywhere
A’Keela Johnson, Digital & Procurement Strategy Exec, Advisory Board Member, DVSum
Alex Tassini-Negri, VP of Source 2 Procure, FanDuel
- 4:30 PM