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About the 2025 Conference

The fourth annual Be Heard: Women in Leadership Conference, will take place on Friday, March 28, at Saint Louis University. For the past four years, the Emerson Leadership Institute’s Be Heard Conference has brought together hundreds of distinguished academics, business professionals, and next-generation leaders from St. Louis and beyond.

Elaine Cha, a woman with short dark hair and glasses, speaks on the Asian Women in Leadership Panel at the Be Heard Women in Leadership Conference.

Elaine Cha, host and producer at St. Louis Public Radio, speaks on the Asian Women in Leadership Panel at the 2024 Be Heard Women in Leadership Conference.

This event, co-presented by the Emerson Leadership Institute and SLU's Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement, will feature engaging presentations, dynamic discussions, thought-provoking keynotes, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities—all with the shared mission of advancing gender equity, empowering women and promoting a culture of holistic well-being for all.

The theme for this year’s conference, "Fostering Dignity and Belonging," aligns with the Dignity-Based Leadership Development Program launched at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. At the fourth annual Be Heard Conference, we will explore the profound role dignity plays in organizational culture and individual well-being, behaviors that lead to dignity violations, practical strategies for leaders to cultivate workplace environments where dignity is prioritized and belonging is fostered.

Join us in this journey of growth and discovery as we work toward achieving personal, professional, and organizational success together. The conference is free to attend, but registration is required. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting jintong.tang@slu.edu. 

Give to ELI now to support the Emerson Leadership Institute and help us create Dignity-Based Leadership Programs.

Program

7:30 to 8 a.m.: Check in and Continental Breakfast 

The program will kick off at 7:30 a.m. at SLU's Il Monastero Banquet Center. The program will be emceed by Michelle Li, NBC St. Louis morning anchor.

8 to 9:30 a.m.: Leadership Development Workshop

Leadership Development Workshop Conducted by:

  • David Pickersgill, Barry-Wehmiller
  • Stanley Thomas, Barry-Wehmiller
  • Steve Gund, The Gund Company

Workshop Panel

  • Rhonda Spencer, chief people officer, Barry-Wehmiller
  • Connie Deulley, culture coach, The Gund Company
  • Sheila Burkett: chief executive office and co-founder, Spry Digital
9:30 to 9:45 a.m.: Coffee Break
 
9:45 to 10:15 a.m.: Welcome Remarks
  • Jintong Tang, director, Emerson Leadership Institute, SLU
  • Michael Medart, president, Medart, Inc. and president, Dean’s Executive Board 
  • Michael Lewis, provost, SLU
  • Rochelle Smith, vice president for diversity and innovative community engagement, SLU
  • Jackson Nickerson, Edwards Jones Dean, Chaifetz School of Business, SLU
10:15 to 11:45 a.m.: Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion

  • Delaney Clement: chief operating officer, Archdiocese of St. Louis
  • Kristin Johnson: chief transformation officer, Edward Jones
  • Tina Sappington: president, Integrated Solutions Worldwide; vice president and director of Purpose and Impact, QNDX

Moderator

  • Paige Hulsey: KMOV News 4 reporter
11:45 a.m. to noon: Coffee Break

 

Noon to 12:40 p.m.: Keystone Presentation

Keynote Presentation

  • Marilyn Bush, president, Bank of America St. Louis
12:40 to 1:30 p.m.: Lunch and networking

 

Sponsors

  • Mike Medart Women in Leadership Grant
  • Saint Louis University School of Medicine (SLUSOM)
  • SOM Women in Medicine and Science