Skills
BuildHER is a high-impact leadership experience designed to empower women to grow, stretch, and take meaningful steps forward in their careers.
Building Better Foundations empowers both emerging and established women leaders within the Charlotte region. The program is designed to provide these professionals with the specific confidence, skills, and strategic frameworks necessary to advance their careers, amplify their influence, and foster inclusive leadership within their respective organizations.
Friday, November 13, 2026
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Agenda
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast | Light breakfast and coffee while attendees connect. Table prompts encourage meaningful conversation such as leadership challenges, next career goals, and skills participants want to develop. |
| 8:30 – 8:40 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Opening from a university leader or conference host. Frame the importance of advancing women in leadership and outline what participants will gain during the morning. |
| 8:40 – 9:10 AM | Keynote presented by UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon Gaber | Focus on the shift from operational excellence to strategic leadership. Topics may include executive presence, influence in decision-making spaces, and common barriers women face in advancing their careers. |
| 9:10 – 9:30 AM | Networking Break and BuildHER Marketplace in Atrium | Short refresh break allowing participants to connect and reflect on keynote insights. Shopping time in the curated BuildHER Marketplace. |
| 9:30 – 10:15 AM | Work Site Break Out Sessions | Interactive workshop covering topics such as managing up, handling difficult conversations, advocating for resources, and communicating with authority. |
| Session 1: Handling difficult conversations | Speaker: Karri Kennedy | |
| Session 2: Communicating with authority | Speaker: Mary Smith | |
| 10:15 -10:35 AM | Networking Break and BuildHER Marketplace in Atrium | Short refresh break allowing participants to connect and reflect on Work Site insights. Shopping time in the curated BuildHER Marketplace. |
| 10:35 – 11:20 AM | Executive Panel: Women Leading in Charlotte moderated by Elisabeth Thornton | Panel featuring women leaders from key regional industries such as finance, healthcare, energy, higher education, or professional services. Discussion topics include leadership transitions, visibility strategies, and lessons learned in advancing to executive roles. |
| 11:20 – 11:35 AM | Networking Break and BuildHER Marketplace in Atrium | Short refresh break allowing participants to connect and reflect on Executive Panel insights. Shopping time in the curated BuildHER Marketplace. |
| 11:35 AM – 12:05 PM | Overcoming Imposter Syndrome presented by Amy Wartham | Many high-achieving women experience moments of self-doubt, questioning whether they truly belong in leadership spaces. This session explores the roots of imposter syndrome and how it shows up in the workplace, especially during career transitions and leadership growth. |
| 12:05 – 12:30 PM | Closing & Next Steps | Summary of key insights and introduction to the university’s leadership certificate program with an attendee-only enrollment opportunity. Final shopping time in the curated BuildHER Marketplace. |
8:00 – 8:30 AM: Registration & Networking Breakfast
Light breakfast and coffee while attendees connect. Table prompts encourage meaningful conversation such as leadership challenges, next career goals, and skills participants want to develop.
8:30 – 8:40 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
Opening from a university leader or conference host. Frame the importance of advancing women in leadership and outline what participants will gain during the morning.
8:40 – 9:10 AM: Keynote presented by UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon Gaber
Focus on the shift from operational excellence to strategic leadership. Topics may include executive presence, influence in decision-making spaces, and common barriers women face in advancing their careers.
9:10 – 9:30 AM: Networking Break and BuildHER Marketplace in Atrium
Short refresh break allowing participants to connect and reflect on keynote insights. Shopping time in the curated BuildHER Marketplace.
9:30 – 10:15 AM: Work Site Break Out Sessions
Interactive workshop covering topics such as managing up, handling difficult conversations, advocating for resources, and communicating with authority.
Session 1: Handling difficult conversations
Speaker: Karri Kennedy
Session 2: Communicating with authority
Speaker: Mary Smith
10:15 -10:35 AM: Networking Break and BuildHER Marketplace in Atrium
Short refresh break allowing participants to connect and reflect on Work Site insights. Shopping time in the curated BuildHER Marketplace.
10:35 – 11:20 AM: Executive Panel: Women Leading in Charlotte moderated by Elisabeth Thornton
Panel featuring women leaders from key regional industries such as finance, healthcare, energy, higher education, or professional services. Discussion topics include leadership transitions, visibility strategies, and lessons learned in advancing to executive roles.
11:20 – 11:35 AM: Networking Break and BuildHER Marketplace in Atrium
Short refresh break allowing participants to connect and reflect on Executive Panel insights. Shopping time in the curated BuildHER Marketplace.
11:35 AM – 12:05 PM: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome presented by Amy Wartham
Many high-achieving women experience moments of self-doubt, questioning whether they truly belong in leadership spaces. This session explores the roots of imposter syndrome and how it shows up in the workplace, especially during career transitions and leadership growth.
12:05 – 12:30 PM: Closing & Next Steps
Summary of key insights and introduction to the university’s leadership certificate program with an attendee-only enrollment opportunity. Final shopping time in the curated BuildHER Marketplace.
