9:20 - 10:00 am: Educational Session Block 1 

David Peebles: Own Your Breath, L.E.A.D. Your Life (Kaylee Laakso) 

• Kaylee Laakso is a dynamic leader, veteran, certified yoga teacher, and Ph.D. student in Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design at Clemson University, specializing in deception and information operations. A former U.S. Army Special Operations Officer, she has led diverse teams in challenging environments and advised U.S. Central Command, NATO, and interagency partners on influence strategies. Kaylee’s leadership approach blends mindfulness and resilience practices with strategic communication, drawing from her professional and yoga backgrounds. Her scholarship includes international presentations on crisis communication, a TEDx talk on fake news, and publications on influence and disinformation.

Mckissick Theater: Redefining the 'Women In' Movement (Juliet Smalley)

• Juliet Smalley is currently a sophomore at Clemson University, majoring in Mathematical Sciences with an emphasis in Actuarial Science. Throughout her time so far at Clemson, Juliet has contributed to numerous organizations, including Freshman Council, Peer Assisted Leaders, and Alpha Phi. She aspires to work on Wall Street among some of the brightest mathematical analysts, ultimately rising to the top of her field. With a passion for empowerment, Juliet strives to motivate others to feel a sense of belonging in historically male-dominated institutions and is dedicated to rebranding the "Women in" movement. With her strong sense of drive and commitment to break barriers, Juliet is determined to make a long-lasting impact on the STEM community and pave the way for future generations.

Meeting Room A: Finding Your Voice: Confidence Through Purpose (Grace Ankenbrand)

• Grace Ankenbrand is a marketing student at Clemson University, double majoring in Marketing and Women's Leadership. She serves as the President of the Residential Hall Association (RHA) and is actively involved in leadership development and strategic planning. With experience in sales, marketing strategy, and organizational leadership, Grace is passionate about using her skills to foster ethical leadership and social impact. Her long-term goal is to lead a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering emerging leaders and businesses.

Meeting Room B: Voices in Harmony: Hitting the Right Notes in Mentorship! (Shaw Hipsher & Emeline Niyibitanga)

• TBD

10:40 - 11:20 am: Educational Session Block 2 

David Peebles: Boldly You: Amplifying Your Voice on LinkedIn (Dr. Anna Ankenbrand)

• Dr. Anna Ankenbrand is a visionary leader in higher education, specializing in shaping digital business education programs and innovative curriculum and instructional strategies for online universities. She has been instrumental in designing and implementing transformative learning experiences that equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving professional landscape. Committed to empowering women leaders, Dr. Ankenbrand is passionate about helping early-career professionals build their personal brands, articulate their value, and forge meaningful industry connections. She holds a PhD in Higher Education and Adult Lifelong Learning from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Dedicated to professional growth and leadership development, she is an active member of the South Carolina Association for Talent Development and a strong advocate for advancing women in business. Since moving to South Carolina five years ago, she has developed a deep connection to the region and takes immense pride in her daughter’s journey at Clemson University.

Mckissick Theater: Leading Well: Self, People, Places (Dr. Anna Fitch Courie, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC)

• Dr. Courie was appointed the inaugural Chief Well-being Officer for Clemson University in January 2024. She also holds a faculty appointment to the School of Nursing. Dr. Courie leads Clemson University’s commitment to student, staff, faculty, and community well-being. Dr. Courie is responsible for creating, developing, and implementing Clemson’s strategy, collaboration, campaigns, and initiatives that advance holistic wellness for our campus and community. Dr. Courie holds a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Clemson University; a Master’s in Nursing Education from the University of Wyoming; and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Ohio State University. She is a Board-Certified Public Health Nurse and is a student of the Executive Leaders Program at the Center for Homeland Security and Defense, Naval Postgraduate School.

Meeting Room A: Championing Excellence: Empowering Women to Find Their Voice (Bridget Dewees, PhD)

• Dr. Bridget Dewees is a senior administrator at Claflin University and a performance excellence practitioner with over 30 years of experience. She specializes in organizational excellence, institutional effectiveness, and strategic planning. Passionate about empowering women, she leads workshops and conferences designed to help others discover their voice and reach their full potential. Dr. Dewees earned her PhD in Management from Walden University and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina.

Meeting Room B: People, Passion, and Perseverance: The Three P’s That Will Allow You to Find Your Voice! (Mrs. Jackie Kaminer)

• Jacqueline Kaminer is a dynamic leader with over a decade of manufacturing experience. As the Training and Competency Manager at Michelin’s Lexington, SC site, she drives strategic competency management and training initiatives. Passionate about empowering women, she serves on multiple boards, including the Lexington Chamber Women's Leadership Council and Michelin's Women in Industry. Additionally, she is the administrative leader for Heart of the Blue Ridge Region 14, Sweet Adelines. Jackie holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Dayton and will earn her Master’s in Human Resource Development from Clemson University in May 2025. Her purpose is to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential.

11:25 - 12:05 pm: Educational Session Block 3 

David Peebles: Leading with Loyalty: The Girl’s Girl Mindset (Ti-Ana Pyatt, M.Ed.)

• Ti-Ana Pyatt serves as the Assistant Director for Student Engagement at Clemson University, focusing on leadership development and student programming. Holding a B.S. in Psychology from UNC Greensboro and an M.Ed. in Student Affairs from Clemson, she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education. Her work is driven by a deep passion for student advocacy and ensuring students excel both academically and professionally.

Mckissick Theater: A World Full of No’s (Jamya Crawford)

• Jamya Crawford, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a graduate of Paul M. Dorman High School and a freshman at Clemson University. She is actively involved in organizations such as Freshman Council, Clemson Gospel Choir, Clemson Hope, and Connections. Passionate about both medicine and working with children, she aspires to become a pediatrician, using her knowledge to educate and inspire children and parents to lead healthier lives. Through her dedication to healthcare and community service, she hopes to make a lasting impact in the medical field.

Meeting Room A: Forge Ahead: Women in Welding and Entrepreneurship (Saylor Koon)

• Saylor Koon is a third year undergraduate student studying Finance at Clemson. She serves as the President of the National Alzheimer’s Buddies and is responsible for managing over 50 volunteers at the local Clemson Downs nursing home. She started her business, LINKED! Permanent Jewelry LLC over a year ago, and her trade experience is extensive: she obtained her South Carolina Welders Certification after three years of hands-on course load. As she prepares to assume an analyst internship at J.P. Morgan this summer, she has continued to explore the world of self-employment and the implications of future entrepreneurial endeavors.

Meeting Room B: Empowering Voices: Leadership Through Service and Authenticity (Nailah Boyo, M.S.)

• Nailah Boyo is a dedicated leader in higher education, committed to empowering students through mentorship, leadership development, and transformational experiences. As the Assistant Director of Training and Leadership for New Maverick Orientation at the University of Texas at Arlington, she oversees programs that shape the next generation of student leaders. A first-generation college graduate with a Master of Science in Higher Education, Nailah is passionate about fostering inclusive spaces, redefining student engagement, and equipping individuals with the skills to lead with purpose. Her work reflects her belief that leadership is about being transformational, not transactional—a philosophy that drives her impact on students and colleagues alike.