At some level, almost every issue we feel challenged by has a communication component. As people, we use language to navigate our inner landscape and to make sense of the world around us. In the context of high-performing teams, being intentional about our communication has a direct correlation to improved well-being and overall success. Join me in looking through the communication lens to discover strategies and tools you can use now for your future benefit.

As a former coach with experience in DI, DII, DIII, and the WNBA, Betsy Butterick utilizes her unique background with individuals ready to improve and teams of all kinds - from the locker room to the boardroom.

As "The Coaches' Coach" she meets coaches where they are and supports the growth that they're looking to make. As a Communication Specialist, Betsy helps teams improve communication effectiveness while working collaboratively to create positive change at all levels of team.

Professional, playful, and with a talent for people-centric design, Betsy offers a personal and experiential approach towards learning and development.

A life-long athlete, Betsy grew up playing all sports and was a competitive basketball player (and awful golfer) at the collegiate level. She now spends her time in Colorado Springs cycling, hiking, exploring, practicing yoga, chasing sunsets and in constant pursuit of the perfect breakfast burrito.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Softball Team.

Join Theresa as she shares with you the importance of having a positive mindset and growth mindset, and how these mindsets can fuel your mental health and resilience as student athletes.

Theresa Bodnar is a Colonel in the US Army, a certified Army Master Resilience Trainer (MRT), Positive Psychology Practitioner, Eating Psychology Educator, Stress Mastery Educator, and Resilience Building Leader Program Instructor. 

She holds a BA in Elementary Education from John Carroll University, a MS in Organizational Leadership from Robert Morris University, and a dual Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and Public Administration (MPA) from Syracuse University. She is also currently pursuing a PhD in Metaphysical Science.

Theresa is the author of Get UPP!: Understanding Positive Psychology, a poetry book dedicated to positive psychology concepts; co-author of Gratitude Mission 2: More People, More Gratitude, More Inspiration and Dear 2020; and a former columnist with The Teen Mentor. Theresa also gave a TedX talk in 2018, entitled The Gift of Gratitude in Foresight about using Gratitude to become more resilient. Theresa has been interviewed on several podcasts, to include Energy Awareness Radio and The DOZ Show about her book, life in the Army, and her personal stress mastery habits. 

In her free time, Theresa enjoys writing, traveling, dancing, dining out, spending time with family and close friends, and is an avid learner.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Academy of Art University Softball Team.

Are leaders born or are they made? If leaders are made, what makes a leader, and if leaders are born, what circumstances surround born leaders? How do leaders make a difference and a significant impact? 

Our world, as we know it today, has been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, exposing underlying problems - hatred, racism, poverty, inequity - resulting in death, chaos, and mental health issues. People of every race, color, and gender are experiencing excruciating pain, hurt, and - more than ever before - the world is in dire need of leaders at all levels and in every sphere of human interaction. 

The question is: what type of leadership or leaders does the world need today, and are you born or made as a leader for such a time as this?

Oluneye Oluwole is the Founder of Story Chest Consulting, a digital and innovative multimedia company. She is also the Host of ‘Storytellers With OLUNEYESPEAKS’, an inspirational, storytelling, communication, networking platform and community for entrepreneurs, innovators, founders and professionals to share their success stories and journey.

She is a serial entrepreneur, storyteller, spoken word poet, keynote speaker, and a Congressional Recognition Award Recipient by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (U.S. Representative for Texas's 18th Congressional District), for her leadership roles, achievements in entrepreneurship, and mentorship roles to women entrepreneurs and youths globally.

Oluneye is a subject-matter-expert, with experience across several industries – travel and tourism, media, entrepreneurship development, not-for-profit, and public governance. She is a relationship builder, with an unquenchable energy and passion for entrepreneurship, women empowerment, and leadership. She is an author of many books and writes across diverse genres - leadership, political, historical, biographical, and poetry.

Oluneye is launching a world-class innovative incubator for creative entrepreneurs in Canada and convening an anthology of 30 global women thought-leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and subject-matter experts, scheduled for release in 2022.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Softball Team.

Join Shelley - CEO, Founder, Board Member, and Keynote Speaker - for a conversation about career, life, balance, authenticity, confidence, and much more. Come prepared to engage, ask questions, and be ready to share:  

What information about the workforce that you could not learn in school do you wish that established generations would share with you?

What is the one thing/characteristic/trait about yourself that you feel is your superpower, but is often overlooked?

Shelley A. Svoren is the CEO and Founder of Infinite Branches. Shelley lives by the motto:  Always Be Curious.  She is a driven factfinder who dives into the details so that she can discern how and why issues arise and can collaboratively implement the actions that enable organizations to grow towards their goals. She believes in constantly asking the questions: what did we learn and how can we use our collective experiences to grow? 

While she is focused on General (Private/Unscheduled) Aviation and Marine industries, Shelley’s clients are involved in many entrepreneurial endeavors that span ownership of private businesses: Wineries and Vineyards, Fine Art,  Private Equity, Venture Capital, Hedge Funds, and Real Estate Development and Ownership. This requires that Shelley fully understands the financial complexities and legal issues associated with each industry. She works with her clients and their family offices to determine what the right aircraft/yacht is for their particular needs by ensuring that they fully understand the cost to operate and finance such assets and that they work with the right legal, tax, insurance, and other service partners.

Shelley is also actively involved in serving on the board of directors/advisory position for multiple nonprofit organizations; writing articles for industry periodicals; speaking at industry conferences; writing recommendations for college students applying for scholarships; and sharing her knowledge with MBA students as part of their final course projects.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Academy of Art University Softball Team.

Developing and maintaining confidence can be hard, especially when you are faced with new challenges or exposed to new environments.  To build your confidence, you must:

• Choose to Not be Intimidated

• Sound Cool on the Radio (keep your cool!)

• EARN Your Seat at the Table...and then OWN it

• Practice * Perform * Perfect

We all falter from time to time, and my goal is to share my experiences with you in a way that empowers you to apply them to your own journey. 

Shannon “Grizz” Cary grew up in Juneau, Alaska, a town inaccessible by road, where residents are just as likely to own an airplane as a car.  She is the daughter of two adventurous teachers and an older sister to two amazing brothers.  Grizz spent her formative years playing sports, enjoying the outdoors, and begging for flights from anyone who would take her aloft.  Getting airborne was a passion from very early on.  

At 18, Grizz departed Alaska to attend the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).  While at the USAFA, she took out a loan to earn her private pilots’ license, spent countless hours at the airfield as a glider instructor, and (along with two other female cadets) successfully petitioned the academy, under Title 9, to establish the school’s first women’s lacrosse team.  

After graduating from the USAFA in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Grizz began Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. While there she became a First Assignment Instructor Pilot, a humbling job that included teaching the Air Force’s newest pilots how to fly.  As one of the first women to fly supersonic fighter aircraft, Grizz had assignments in South Korea and Northern Japan, with multiple side trips to countries around the globe. A hiatus from military service gave her the opportunity to become a mom and explore flying and instructing in the civilian aviation world.  A passion for service, coupled with her love of flying, saw her rejoin the military in 2011 and that is where she is today.  She is currently flying as a Traditional Reservist with the Air Force Special Operations Command… some of the Air Force’s most elite.  

When she’s not working, you can find her having fun in the Florida Keys, where she lives with her husband and four children.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Women’s Golf Team.

Tenacity, determination, grit and an innate ability to lead has defined Shannon Huffman Polson. An adventurous young woman, she summited Mount McKinley (now Denali) and, at the time, was the youngest woman to complete the attempt. From there, she was commissioned in the Army and was one of the first women to fly the Apache attack helicopter. Through her leadership and aviation skills she earned the right to lead two flight platoons and was the first woman to command an Apache flight company in the 2nd Infantry Division. With real-world stories and insights from in and out of the cockpit, she offers tangible leadership lessons for audience members to seek out their own targets and, where passion and purpose intersect, incorporate them into their own lives. By examining everyday leadership and situational challenges, Shannon empowers others to effectively lead and thrive in any dynamic environment.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Softball Team.

Join Alicia, who competed for the British National team at the 2020 Tokyo Games, as she shares her personal story of resilience and finding balance in her life, as an international student-athlete at UC Berkeley and an Olympic swimmer.

“This past year I, like many others, have struggled with my mental health and suffered deep emotional wounds that I never thought would heal... During a crisis, it is incredibly hard to see such experiences as an opportunity for growth. But, if there is anything I have learned in this grueling year, it is that with the right support system, there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Alicia Wilson is a senior double majoring in Business Administration and Economics at UC Berkeley. She competed in the women's 100 meter backstroke event at the 2020 European Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Wilson was named to Great Britain's Olympic team in the 200m IM for the Tokyo Games after securing a runner-up finish at the British Trials with a PR 2:09.61. She reached the final of the 200m IM at the Tokyo Olympics, where she placed eighth in 2:12.86.

Private event for Category 2 HERicanes (teen girl athletes) of Pioneer High School Girls Water Polo Team.

It’s not just a “cat-fight” or women being dramatic. And if you’ve ever experienced it then you definitely know... “Female Rivalry” is real, especially in sports.

In this discussion, participants will learn how female rivalry can rear its ugly head, the effects it can have and how to instill a mindset of co-opertition over competition when working together as a team.

Amber Tichenor has a Ph.D. in Industrial/ Organizational (I/O) Psychology and is the founder of To Be, Coaching + Consulting®. A thought leader on the topic of women’s rivalry, Amber has 20+ years’ experience as an Organizational Change Strategy and Leadership consultant where she helped guide businesses through transformational change. Her book, “Behind Frenemy Lines: Rising Above Female Rivalry To Be Unstoppable Together,” published by Morgan James Publishing, will be available in November 2021.

Amber is deeply passionate about addressing the phenomenon of rivalry between women, and wrote her PhD thesis on the topic.  She consults with organizations and offers speaking engagements and workshops on the importance of the phenomenon, the challenges and behaviors it presents, along with coping and recovery steps. 

Amber’s goal is to promote collaboration over competition, to empower women to find their voice, leave the rivalry behind, and team up with a community of like-minded women who support each other to be unstoppable together. 

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Women’s Golf Team.

Female rivalry is real, especially in sports. But competition within a team, rather than cooperation, can have negative effects on your individual and collective success.

Join Sarah, Liyah, and Sammy, student athletes at Santa Clara University, as they talk candidly about the sisterhood in sports, how teamwork transcends the game, and the importance of always having each other’s backs.

Sarah Ellersick, Liyah Lopez, and Sammy Needham are NCAA Division I softball teammates as well as friends and roommates off the field. They are eager to share their stories and experiences with younger athletes as part of the HERicanes cascading mentorship program.

Private event for Category 2 HERicanes (teen girl athletes) of Pioneer High School Girls Water Polo Team.

How many times have you heard this phrase throughout your collegiate experience: “What do you want to do after you graduate?” How many of you know exactly what you want to do? If you are part of the special group that knew exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up – I congratulate you; you are amazing. If you are like me and had no idea where to even begin – let’s chat. My path to where I am today is not linear – it’s not even a circle, but it is full of interesting stories and many life lessons.

Alyssa Chaulklin is an Associate Broker for JLL with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Colgate University. She is an accomplished business development and sales professional in Commercial Real Estate with a focus on thought leadership. She is currently working in Tenant Representation and specializes in helping her clients find creative solutions for their commercial real estate needs. She provides guidance and strategic problem solving for companies in the Silicon Valley. 

Her experience in business development provided a platform to expand on existing relationships and become a valuable resource for her clients. Alyssa values communication, responsiveness, and a high attention to detail. She is passionate about people and creating connections. She is extremely passionate about the advancement of women in Commercial Real Estate, with an emphasis on providing opportunities for younger generations.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Academy of Art University Softball Team.

At the end of the day, who we are and the legacy that we leave behind is extremely important. But sometimes finding ourselves comes with challenges of feeling like we have to be something we are not or pleasing others around us even if we are not staying true to ourselves. Join Meredith Garofalo, former high school athlete and national broadcast meteorologist and space/science journalist, as she shares her journey of struggles and successes, and learn about how she has established an honest and truthful reputation while having to be a national public figure in the media.

Meredith Garofalo is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist as designated by the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and a science/space journalist. She is a Senior Meteorologist for News 12 New York covering the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and the Bronx & Brooklyn. Meredith was the 2021 Chair for the AMS Station Scientist Committee, which focuses on raising greater awareness & outreach when it comes to science education for viewers.

Meredith's 14+ years in the broadcast business includes a wide variety of experience all across the country stemming from her internship at WGN-TV in Chicago. Before joining News 12, Meredith worked at local television stations in Ohio, South Dakota, Florida, and California and nationally with WeatherNation. She’s been live out in the field during tropical storms, wildfires, snowstorms, and the aftermath from tornadoes. Meredith is also an accomplished reporter, producing weather and science stories. This includes rocket launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral, in depth special reports and features on NOAA’s GOES-R and JPSS satellite series, and coverage on some of NASA’s biggest accomplishments over the past 4 years. She’s interviewed some of the top scientists and leaders of the space & science community including astronauts on the International Space Station and the Inspiration4 mission. Her career highlight was being selected as the only meteorologist to travel with the GOES-West satellite from Colorado to Florida in 2017 on the C-5M Super Galaxy. Her personal and professional work has been recognized numerous times over the last decade including being awarded “Favorite Weathercaster of the Year” in 2016, Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties’ Community Partner of the Year in 2017, and most notably the inaugural Valparaiso University Alumni Association First Decade Achievement Award recipient in 2018.

Meredith loves supporting and donating her time to organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girl Scouts, HERicanes, and the Space Foundation. Meredith was a panel moderator at the 35th & 36th Space Symposium and the 2021 Satellite Conference. She also spends countless hours doing school, career, and motivational talks and participates in podcasts to help encourage girls and women pursuing STEM and space careers and inspire our future generations. Meredith is an accomplished singer and actor, most recognized by performing the National Anthem at a Denver Broncos game in 2018 and for the Cleveland Indians in 2021.

Private event for Category 2 HERicanes (teen girl athletes) of Pioneer High School Girls Water Polo Team.

Get ready for a lively and relevant conversation with softball legend Sue Enquist! This “fireside chat” is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as one of the best coaches in the game volunteers her time to answer your questions.

Sue Enquist, former UCLA head coach and 11-time National Champion, is the founder of ONE Softball, LLC. Enquist’s 27-year coaching career coupled with her playing career instilled in her a passion for the game that she still has today. 

In addition to ONE Softball, Enquist is the owner of Bruwin Enterprises and Champions Festival, LLC and has been inducted into six Hall of Fames including UCLA, the USA Softball Hall of Fame and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Daughter of a chemical engineer and World War II veteran and a nurse, she has a passion for surfing daily and helping the softball community be the best it can be.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Softball Team.

A mindset of “this OR that” can derail your dreams, identity, and joy. When you choose to live in the AND, life becomes beautiful. When you try to be what others demand -- whether it’s society, parents, your friends, or partner -- and you don’t honor who you are fully, life is bleak. Stepping completely into who you are is living in the AND. Kerri is eager to empower you to be your full self and give you practical advice on how to embrace the power of AND!

Kerri Jeter, Founder of Freedom Sisters Media, served in the U.S. Army for 12-years, starting as a Private First Class and exiting as a senior Captain. During her time in service, she served in human resources, finance, training, and public aairs, building critical and lasting systems for the Army that are still being utilized today.

Kerri won the prestigious title Ms. Veteran America 2015, advocating for her sisters-in-arms who had fallen on hard times. After her own journey of self-discovery and embracing her entrepreneurial spirit, Kerri launched Freedom Sisters Media to create content, connection, and community for women beyond the uniform.

Kerri played multiple sports growing up including basketball, volleyball, cheer, track, and softball. She values the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership development that young girls learn from being a valued member of a team.

Kerri loves changing the world, but her impact starts at home as a mom of five and a wife of an Army Combat Veteran.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Academy of Art University Softball Team.

Being confident without suffering from imposter syndrome can sometimes seem impossible. Tammy Barlette will share stories of her battle with confidence, how she kept going, and its direct connection to authenticity. 

Tammy Barlette is CEO of Athena’s Voice, a speaking business featuring female pilots from around the United States.  She is a fighter pilot who served in the Air Force for over 20 years, retiring in September of 2018 as a Lieutenant Colonel. She has flown multiple aircraft, to include the T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, A-10 Warthog, MQ-1  Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, accumulating more than 3000 total flying hours and over 1500 hours of combat support  time assisting and protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is also a graduate of the prestigious US Air Force Weapons School and has a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry. Tammy is married to a  Federal Agent and has three children. 

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Cross Country/Track & Field.

To be better is to commit to the process of being relentless in your efforts to set high standards and account for yourself constantly. Samantha believes in the power of a positive narrative and using education as a vehicle to establish a solid foundation for success. BETTER® is Samantha’s brand that symbolizes a positive narrative for everyone, especially the next generation.

Samantha Martel Johnson is an American professional soccer player from Palmdale, CA. She played six seasons in the National Women's Soccer League for Chicago Red Stars and Utah Royals FC. She has international experience in the W league for clubs Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, and Melbourne City. Samantha attended the University of Southern California on a full athletic scholarship and she holds the record for the fastest goal ever scored: 14 seconds.

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Cross Country/Track & Field.

Explore ways to have supportive, healthy, respectful relationships with self and others. Boundaries help remove  negative relationships that serve no positive purpose and create limitations to prevent taking advantage of a  person. We must also draw boundaries within ourselves of excuses, low self-esteem, failure, and fear. 

Jennifer Foxworthy is a retired Navy combat veteran, Distinguished Toastmaster, award-winning inspirational influencer, internationally published author, public speaking coach, as well as an anti-domestic violence activist and  victim’s advocate. Jennifer travels around the country using her life experiences boldly, authentically, and transparently,  speaking on topics of self-esteem, domestic violence awareness, overcoming adversity, self-care, and much more.  Essentially, Jennifer uses her voice to help others find theirs. Some of Jennifer’s positive people include her wonderful  husband, Thomas, a ten-year-old son, Noah, and her three stepchildren - Josh, Laura, and Matt.  

Private event for Category 3 HERicanes (female collegiate athletes) of Santa Clara University Cross Country/Track & Field.

Only 29% of broadcast meteorologists are women and, as one of that number, Hannah Scholl wants to inspire the next generation of women in STEM. She will share her experience as a woman in one of the top meteorology schools in the country and what it took to become a TV meteorologist.

After graduating from The University of Oklahoma with her degree in meteorology, Hannah Scholl started working at CBS 19 in Charlottesville, VA. During her time at OU, she juggled a rigorous academic schedule with D1 Women's Rowing and working for the campus TV station. She has spoken to numerous classrooms about her job as a meteorologist and loves to answer any questions about the weather.

SpeakHER Event for Category 1 HERicanes (girls 9-12) and Category 2 HERicanes (teen girls).

Morgan Howe originally attended Fresno State before following her coaching staff to Arizona State. She graduated from Arizona State in 2019 with a degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. After graduating, Howe became a Graduate Assistant at the University of Florida where she just graduated this Spring of 2021 with her Master’s Degree in Sport Management. Howe participated in Athletes Unlimited in their inaugural season in the Fall of 2020 where she finished 25th in the final rankings. She will be participating in this upcoming season with Athletes Unlimited. 

Private event for Category 2 HERicanes (teen girls) of 510Pride.

Come hear how 12-year-old Adi Topolosky turned a negative experience at a sports store into one of empowerment for girls and women! Adi will share her journey of advocacy for gender equality in sports and how she used her voice to stand up for what she believed in to create corporate change.

Adi is a rising 7th grader at Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland. She loves hip hop dance and playing basketball. After facing gender based discrimination shopping for women’s attire at a local sports store, Adi wrote an article that went viral, leading to corporate change and continuing advocacy for gender equality in sports. Adi is currently on the Girls Power Panel at Dicks Sporting Goods and has appeared on both local and national TV, including Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show.

SpeakHER Event for Category 1 HERicanes (girls 9-12).

This hands-on workshop on values-based decision making will guide your girls in understanding what values are and why they are so critical to developing leaders. We’ll walk through the process of selecting and discussing key values and then use those values to make decisions in specially selected, relatable scenarios.

Dianna Flett, the Founder of Girl Smarts, is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and combat veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Dianna was recently asked to write a chapter on this very process for the book, The Future Female Leader, edited by Linda Ellis Eastman.

SpeakHER Event for Category 1 HERicanes (girls 9-12).

During this workshop, you're going to learn some really great tips and tricks to feel more confident, to develop complete trust in yourself that allows you to follow your dreams, and to pay special attention to what you tell yourself. Being kind and compassionate to yourself can help you achieve great things in life - and Jos will help show you how. The main take-aways you will achieve from the session include:

- How to take care of your mind (and why this matters)

- Why confidence comes from within and how to develop it

- Smart ways to feel good immediately

Jos has traveled the world and is excited to share with you what it takes to choose to follow your passion and purpose in tricky moments.

www.josdirkx.com

www.girlsandfootball.org

www.girlsdogood.co

www.beenova.ai

SpeakHER Event for Category 1 HERicanes (girls 9-12).