Start your day with us by checking in and grabbing some breakfast! This is a relaxed chance to meet fellow attendees, swap stories, and make new connections before plenary sessions kick off.

We'll start the day by welcoming event emcee Rachel Druckenmiller! Rachel will share stories and practical ideas about how embracing different perspectives can spark fresh ideas and drive real change — whether at work, in communities, or in everyday life. This talk is about empowering everyone to contribute to building a more inclusive and innovative future.

Think LinkedIn networking is just for extroverts? Nope. In this interactive session hosted by Brooke Miles, Founder of Delaware ShoutOut, you’ll discover why introverts often make the best networkers. Your quiet strength can lead to real results on LinkedIn!

You'll learn often-overlooked strategies that take the pressure off constant posting and awkward small talk. You'll also learn how to show up in ways that feel natural and purposeful.

Dare we say, you might even have fun!

Get ready to learn how to make LinkedIn work for you...on your own terms.

This hands-on session for students and early-career professionals in STEM, hosted by Margaret Shen O'Dwyer, Founder of Delaware Youth Leadership Network (DYLN), will help you uncover the traits and moments that already speak for you, often more than you realize. Through reflection and peer practice, you’ll shape a simple, confident way to introduce yourself that feels authentic, not rehearsed. The goal is to recognize the signal you're already sending and learn how to send it with intention. Whether you're networking at conferences, advancing your career, or seeking mentorship, you'll leave with practical tools and a polished message that helps you stand out and stay true to yourself.

Great leaders don’t just rise—they lift others as they go. This interactive session, hosted by Cassie Solomon, President of The New Group Consulting, Inc., explores the pivotal role mentorship plays in cultivating the next generation of women in STEM fields. Designed for executives and senior professionals, this conversation will delve into practical strategies for fostering meaningful and lasting mentor-mentee relationships with the people who work for you and those who work “around” you. Learn how your leadership journey can serve as a roadmap for others and how intentional mentorship not only shapes future innovators but also strengthens your legacy as a leader. Join us to discover how leading forward starts with reaching out.

Delaware’s future innovators are in today’s classrooms, ready for the spark that will ignite their STEM journey. In this important conversation, Katie Lakofsky, Executive Director of BioConnect DE, and Delaware’s Secretary of Education Cindy Marten discuss the opportunity and imperative for a bold vision to strengthen the state’s STEM talent pipeline. Together, they’ll explore how cultivating curiosity, confidence, and opportunity from the earliest years can transform not only individual lives but also Delaware’s innovation economy. Attendees will gain insight into how education and industry can contribute to inspiring young minds, driving impactful outcomes, and building a thriving STEM workforce for generations to come.

Our Networking Lunch offers the perfect opportunity to build new relationships, exchange ideas, and spark collaborations over great food. Whether you’re seeking mentorship, partnership, or simply inspiring conversation, this is your chance to expand your community and fuel your passion for STEM.

Please follow the signs to the Sussex Atrium for the lunch buffet.

Step into your full leadership potential with this high-energy, interactive session designed to empower, elevate, and inspire women navigating the evolving landscape of STEM leadership, hosted by Sean Haney of SPHERE Consultants. Tailored especially for STEM professionals, this 45-minute experience blends insight with action—offering practical strategies, personal reflection, and real-time connection.

Through a dynamic mix of leadership insights, storytelling, and real-time engagement this session will explore four powerful themes:

Perception is Reality: Navigating complex organizational dynamics is a challenge – how you are perceived is a key element. Learn how to strengthen your executive presence, lead with intentionality, and navigate the expectations of stakeholders at every level.

Leveraging Your System: Setting high standards is admirable, but your system will empower your success in the long term. Leverage systems that support your growth, empower your team, and align with your long-term goals.

The Con(fidence) Game: You're not alone. Unpack the real challenges behind confidence with candid stories, current research, and strategies to lead with self-assurance.

Uniquely Powerful: Reconnect with your unique strengths and leadership power. Be inspired by stories of trailblazing women and leave with renewed energy and purpose.

Whether you're looking to refine your leadership style, build lasting systems to perform at your peak, or reconnect with your inner power, this session will leave you motivated and equipped to lead the way forward in STEM—and beyond.

Take a well-deserved pause to unwind and connect with fellow attendees during our Networking Break. Enjoy a delicious selection of snacks and beverages while building meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and trailblazers across STEM fields. Whether you're swapping stories, sharing insights, or just taking a moment to recharge, this is your time to relax and refuel in great company.

When the break wraps up, don’t forget to bring your goodies back to the ballroom for the Fireside Chat—a not-to-be-missed conversation on advancing women’s health through innovation and equity.

This Fireside Chat brings together visionary leaders at the forefront of women’s health research, technology, and advocacy. In an engaging and insightful conversation, panelists will explore how STEM professionals are driving innovation in women’s health—from reproductive technologies and personalized medicine to addressing disparities in clinical research and healthcare access.

Discover how these changemakers are challenging outdated systems, designing inclusive solutions, and championing a future where women’s health is prioritized, understood, and empowered through science and innovation.