Professional Women’s Conference Returns to Midwest for Day of Learning, Connection

The Professional Women’s Conference (PWC) will return to the Midwest on Oct. 28, bringing professionals together for a day dedicated to learning, leadership, professional development and meaningful connections. The conference will take place at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City.

The annual event draws over 500 professionals from all industries, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, gain fresh perspectives and strengthen the regional business community. This year’s theme, “One Day. Lasting Impact.,” reflects the conference’s focus on helping women across roles and career stages strengthen their skills and build relationships that support their professional growth.

“Investing in professional development is important at every stage of your career, and the Professional Women’s Conference offers a full day of learning, inspiration and connection,” said Andrea Pearman, Executive Director of the Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association (NWIIWA), which is presenting the event. “We encourage employers to invest in their teams by sending them to the conference, and for individuals to grab a friend and join us for a day of growth and opportunities.”

The 2026 program will feature two keynote presentations, nine breakout sessions and networking opportunities for professionals, business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Keynote Speakers

Tami Evans – “Plot Twist: Turning Uncertainty into Momentum”

Evans will use humor, storytelling and lessons from unexpected life changes to help attendees navigate uncertainty, recognize when perfectionism holds them back, and build the adaptability, resilience and confidence needed to move forward.

Mimi Brown – “OWN YOUR SWAG”

Brown will encourage attendees to recognize their unique strengths, communicate their professional value and build authentic confidence and executive presence without feeling pressured to become someone they are not.

Breakout Sessions

Attendees can choose from nine breakout sessions covering leadership, career development, communication, time management, social media and artificial intelligence. Breakout speakers include:

• Amy Henningfield – “You Can’t Be What You Can’t See,” exploring the connection between confidence, professional visibility and representation.
• Sabrina A. Wilson, MBA – “Build Your Table: Create a Personal Board of Directors to Accelerate Your Career,” helping attendees identify mentors, sponsors, allies and trusted advisors who can offer guidance for career advancement.
• Lesley Neff – “You See the Success. Do You See the People Behind It?” examining the people and workplace dynamics behind organizational results.
• Brittany Good – “Okay, But Why Would I Care? How to Create Social Media Content Your Audience Actually Wants to See,” sharing practical strategies for creating and analyzing audience-focused social media content.
• Teri Healy – “The Stickiness Factor: Why Big Changes Fail and How to Make Yours Unshakable,” introducing her Anchoring practices and helping attendees uncover the deeper motivations behind their goals and make lasting changes.
• Valentine Torres – “The Return on Your Time,” encouraging attendees to treat time as an investment and prioritize what best supports their professional goals.
• Amy McCarthy – “Leading Uncomfortable Conversations,” offering approaches to navigate difficult conversations about feedback, boundaries and disagreements with clarity and confidence.
• Elizabeth Volini – “What to Actually Do About AI,” featuring demonstrations and guidance to help attendees identify useful applications for artificial intelligence and use them responsibly to establish actionable goals.
• Nancy Timboli – “Your Presence is Powerful,” exploring how mindset, self-awareness and personal presence influence workplace interactions.

PWC is presented by NWIIWA and supported by corporate sponsors and community partners. Information about registration, tickets and sponsorship opportunities is available at www.professionalwomensconference.com.