Thursday, April 10, 2025
9am to 4pm
Legends Hall at The Marq Southlake
285 Shady Oaks Dr, Southlake, TX 76092
Honoring Our Heritage, Shaping Our Future
The Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) is the premier annual event hosted by the Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter of NAWBO. This year’s event will celebrate a momentous milestone—40 years of empowering women business owners to thrive. Our theme, “Honoring our Heritage, Shaping our Future,” reflects our dual focus on celebrating the legacy of women entrepreneurs and setting the stage for even greater opportunities. This signature event promises an inspiring day filled with empowerment, networking, education, and fellowship with like-minded women leaders committed to success.
Join us as we celebrate 40 years of NAWBO DFW with a day filled with inspiring stories, powerful networking, educational sessions, and opportunities to build lasting connections with women business owners across all industries.
EMCEE
Leah Frazier
KEYNOTE
Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson, LLC
Teal Sponsor
Pearl Sponsors
Table Sponsors
AV Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Agenda
- Registration & Vendor Marketplace: 9:00-10:00
- Opening remarks: 10:00-10:15
- Leadership & Legacy session: 10:15-10:45
- Welcome message: 10:50-11:15
- Keynote: 11:15-12:00
- Lunch: 12:00-12:45
- Afternoon breakouts (2 tracks): 12:45-2:30
- Birthday celebration: 2:40-3:00
- Closing Remarks: 3:10-3:15
- Closing Panel: 3:15-4:00
Agenda is subject to change.
Lunch
A buffet lunch from Ferah will be provided. Vegetarian and gluten friendly options will be available.
Opening Remarks
Who Do You Think You Are: Own Your Brilliance
Karen “KJ” Johnson
The Konfident Woman and
NAWBO DFW President-Elect
Jennifer Chandler
President, Bank of America Dallas
Leadership & Legacy Session
The Economic Impact of Women-Owned Businesses: Past, Present, and Future
An insightful session exploring the remarkable journey of women entrepreneurs and their transformative impact on the economy. From historical milestones to their resilience during recent global challenges, this discussion will highlight the evolving contributions of women-owned businesses. Discover key findings from Bank of America Institute research, showcasing the influence of women entrepreneurs on both local and global economies and their pivotal role in shaping the future of business.
Breakout Session Topics
Financial Fortitude: Generational Wealth and Legacy Building for Women
A workshop on financial strategies for wealth creation, preservation, and passing down wealth that aligns with personal values and family legacies.
Alysia Bell
Crump Insurance Services
Amplifying Women’s Voices in Public Policy and Community Advocacy
Participants can learn how to become effective advocates, leveraging their voices to create a positive change and shape policies that impact women and their communities.
Skylar Gallop
Raise Your Hand Texas
Sustainable Success: Leading with Resilience, Boundaries, and Purpose
Success isn’t just about what you achieve-it’s about how you sustain it. In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies to build resilience, set boundaries, and align your leadership with long-term success. Instead of chasing work-life balance, we’ll focus on creating alignment that fuels both personal and professional fulfillment. Walk away with actionable steps to protect your energy, prevent burnout, and lead with impact for years to come.
Judy Hoberman
Selling in a Skirt
AI-Powered Leadership: Streamlining and Scaling Your Business
Discover how AI can revolutionize the way you lead and grow your business. This hands-on session will explore practical AI tools that enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and improve customer engagement.
Shi Jin Lee & Jay Graham
Fast Forward AI
Closing Panel
This discussion will cover how women are changing the landscape in tech, finance, healthcare, construction, & more, with an emphasis on future-ready skills, industry trends, and innovative leadership strategies.
Featured panelists:
- Dr. Stefani Morrow – Facilitator
- Eboni Joseph-Wilson, MHA
- Jennifer James
- Tracy Renee Williams
- Igxtelle Mbah-Acha Dopgima, Esq.
Dr. Stefani Morrow
Panel Facilitator
*all speakers and topics are to change
Benefits of Attending
- Meet like-minded women business owners.
- Participate in a mixed-agenda format conducive to connecting, creating, learning, and sharing.
- Listen to veteran entrepreneurs as they share their successes and struggles.
- Have your most-pressing business challenges, concerns, and questions discussed in an open forum.
- Receive practical advice, feasible solutions, and innovative ideas to work into your business strategy.
- Hear from seasoned women business owners, entrepreneurs, and experts during informative panel discussions.
- Discover what it really takes to build a thriving, profitable business.
- Identify growth strategies, business opportunities, and resources for your business venture.
- Uncover steps to expand your company in the midst of economic challenges.
- Obtain valuable resources and services from handpicked exhibitors and business organizations.
- Create and continue conversations with your peers.
Hotel Recommendations
We recommend the following hotels located within 10 minutes’ drive to the venue, Legends Hall at The Marq Southlake:
Hilton Dallas/Southlake Town Square
1400 Plaza Pl, Southlake, TX 76092
817-442-9900
The Westin Dallas Southlake
1200 E State Hwy 114, Southlake, TX 76092
817-873-1900
The Southlake Hotel
2104 E State Hwy 114, Southlake, TX 76092
817-329-1010