Conf ence Agenda
9:00-9:30 AM | BREAKFAST & NETWORKING
Start your day energized! Join us in the main hall for a delish breakfast, coffee and goodies, prepared by Kaffe Karma.
9:30-9:45 AM | WELCOME REMARKS
Enjoy a special welcome from Carrie Leishman, President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association
9:45-10:30 AM | THE POWER OF RESILIENT LEADERSHIP: FROM CHALLENGES TO OPPORTUNITIES
Delaware House Speaker Melissa “Mimi” Minor-Brown | Michelle Freeman, Owner and CEO, Carl M. Freeman Co. | Leslie Nagao, Chief Marketing Officer, National Restaurant Association | Facilitator: Carrie Leishman, President & CEO, Delaware Restaurant Association | MAIN STAGE
Join a powerhouse lineup of hospitality leaders for a dynamic discussion on resilience, team building, and investing in yourself. From navigating challenges in today’s workplace to cultivating strong, high-performing teams, our panelists share insights, experiences, and strategies to help women leaders thrive, personally and professionally. Be inspired, take notes, and leave ready to elevate your leadership journey.
10:45-11:45 AM | DO WHAT IS
YOURS TO
DO:
THE POWER OF FRONTLINE LEADERSHIP
Keynote: Monica Rothgery, Author & Speaker | MAIN STAGE
From the headset to the C-suite, Monica Rothgery’s journey is a masterclass in authentic leadership. Her rise from restaurant manager to COO of KFC U.S. proves that leadership starts on the front line — and that impact matters more than titles. Through stories from her decades in the restaurant industry, Monica reveals how shifting from “me” to “we” builds stronger teams, drives growth, and creates workplaces where everyone can thrive. Her keynote challenges every leader to discover what is uniquely theirs to do — and to use it to elevate their teams, their business, and themselves.
11:45-12:00 | PM BREAK
12:00-1:00 PM | BREAKOUT SESSION # 1 (CHOOSE 1 OF 3)
1- THE POWER OF WHOLENESS: TRANSFORMATIONAL HEALTH FOR WOMEN LEADERS
Dr. Holda Gueye-Weinstein, Board-Certified OBGYN Physician | OLYMPIA ROOM
Dr. Holda Gueye-Weinstein is a board-certified OB/GYN, TEDx speaker, and founder of Visionary Women’s Health, an innovative clinic bridging modern medicine, integrative healing, and mind-body wholeness. Through her Awakened Medicine model, Dr. Gueye-Weinstein is redefining women’s healthcare as a pathway to consciousness, vitality, and purpose. Her work empowers women leaders to restore balance in their bodies, reclaim their innate wisdom, and lead from a place of grounded power and authentic wellbeing.
Conf ence Agenda - Cont...
2- SMART MONEY MOVES: FINANCIAL WELLNESS FOR WOMEN LEADERS
Kate Duffy, Senior Financial Advisor, Bryn Mawr Trust | Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, Goldey-Beacom College President | CROWN ROOM
Smart Money Moves: Financial Wellness for Women Leaders is a lively, no-jargon conversation about the emotions, habits, and mindset behind your money. From tipping to taking charge, we’ll explore how your financial choices reflect your values, and how to build security that fits your life, not someone else’s. Expect real talk, a few “aha!” moments, and practical tools to help you feel confident with your cash flow whether you are running a shift or a business.
3- ENDURANCE, ATHLETICISM & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Kat Wyman, Co-Owner Soulfire Collective | Carrie Lingo, Associate Broker, Jack Lingo Real Estate | Lisa Kammerer, Co-Founder, SoDel Wellness | Facilitator: Misti Burmeister, CEO/Founder, Inspirion MAIN STAGE
Strength. Resilience. Drive. The qualities that fuel athletes are the same ones that power successful entrepreneurs. In this inspiring conversation, our panelists will share how lessons from endurance and athleticism have shaped their leadership journeys, built their businesses, and helped them overcome challenges with grit and vision. Attendees will walk away motivated to tap into their own resilience and pursue their goals with confidence.
1:00-1:30 PM LUNCH & NETWORK
Beautiful boxed lunch crafted by Brew HaHa! Relax and network with fellow attendees!
1:45-2:45 PM | BREAKOUT SESSION # 2
(CHOOSE 1 OF 3 OF PREVIOUS OPTIONS)
2:45 - 3:30 PM | MOTHERHOOD, RESILIENCE, AND LIFE'S CURVEBALLS: LESSONS ACROSS GENERATIONS
Martha Hoover, Founder, Won't Stop Hospitality | Sarah Hoover, Best Selling Author, Art Historian and Cultural Critic | MAIN STAGE
Join Martha and Sarah Hoover, a powerhouse mother-daughter duo, for a candid and inspiring conversation on motherhood, generational shifts, and resilience. From Martha’s trailblazing journey building Patachou into a multi-concept restaurant empire to Sarah’s cultural insights and brutally honest reflections on modern motherhood, they’ll explore how women navigate life’s challenges, lead with purpose, and thrive across generations. Expect humor, heart, and practical wisdom on leading, creating, and investing in yourself — no matter what stage of life you’re in.
3:30 - 4:00 PM | COCKTAIL HOUR & NETWORKING