The Converse Women’s Leadership Conference provides emerging and established women leaders across the Upstate the opportunity to come together to share their knowledge, success stories, and strategies for advancement in a supportive environment.
This one-day summer conference is hosted on Converse’s beautiful campus and includes keynote and breakout sessions as well as breakfast, lunch, and a wine and cheese networking reception. Our annual conference builds upon Converse’s historic commitment to women’s empowerment and leadership while providing the Upstate community dynamic ways to build new partnerships and advance professionally.
Ticket and Event Details
$125 general admission early bird rate ends July 1, 2026; the price increases to $150 on July 2, until capacity is filled.
$25: Current Converse Students
$50: Converse Faculty & Staff
$100: Converse Alumni
Converse students, faculty, staff and alumni can email jennifer.barksdale@converse.edu for discount details.
General Registration closes on July 9, 2026, or earlier if we reach room capacity.
Schedule
8:00 – 8:40 AM: Continental Breakfast and Registration & Headshots
8:40: Welcome
8:45 – 9:30: Keynote Speaker— fireside chat & conversation with Chandra and Phyllis Perrin Harris ’82
9:30 – 9:45: 15 minute break/Network
9:45 – 10:45: Panel 1 “Beyond Balance: Navigating Career Growth and Real Life”
Katherine O’Neill (OneSpartanburg) – Moderator
Anna Blanton (Milliken)
Chunsta Miller ’02 (Goodwill)
Molly Cashman (Blue Moon)
10:45 -11:00: 15 minute break
11:00 – 11:50 Breakout Session 1
Kamber Parker Bowden (Generational Performance Solutions)
Racquel Collier (President of Caliber Real Estate)
12:00pm – 1:15: Lunch & Headshots
1:30 – 2:30: Panel 2 “Roots and Resilience: Growing Community Through Change”
Dori Burgess (Healthy Smiles) – Moderator
Pontheola Mack Abernathy (Clevedale Inn)
Susan Myers (SCPL)
Amber Pendergraph-Leak (BirthMatters)
2:30-2:45: 15 minute break
2:45 – 3:45: Breakout Session 2
Amalia Luxardo (CEO of WREN)
Tamika Prince (formerly with Milliken & Co.)
3:45 – 4:45: Wine & Cheese Networking Reception
Headshots available during Continental Breakfast and Registration, Lunch, and Closing Networking Reception
