Kara Kirby is the CEO of Insights Leadership Group, a company dedicated to transforming how people think, connect, and collaborate at work. Known for her dynamic, relatable style, she has partnered with organizations across industries and geographies to build leadership capability, strengthen communication, and inspire innovative thinking. As a speaker, Kara blends research, real-world experience, and humor to deliver actionable insights leaders can apply immediately. She also co-hosts The Workplace Wonderers podcast and Pop! On Leadership, exploring work and leadership through popular TV shows like Ted Lasso. Kara lives in Cary, NC, with her husband and two boys.

Gale Adcock has a legacy that includes 38 years as a family nurse practitioner, 26 years running a healthcare enterprise within a global software corporation, and 18 years in elected office. She served on the Cary Council from 2007-2014, followed by four terms in the NC House, before joining the state Senate in 2023 as the first nurse ever elected to that Chamber. She leads on legislation to add NC to occupational licensing compacts that increase workforce mobility and business opportunities. She continues to speak to state and national audiences about leadership in healthcare and the power of advocacy.​​

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Sarah King is a Carolina Beach native and N.C. State graduate with a B.S. in Meteorology.  Since 2016 she's been a co-host on MIX Mornings with Kyle, Bryan, and Sarah on MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM, bringing energy and heart to Triangle radio.  She also hosts the podcast Sarah Has Questions, where she interviews WakeMed doctors and asks the thoughtful, often-overlooked questions many people are too unsure or embarrassed to ask.  Sarah is married to Eddie, a genuinely kind human, and they share life with their sweet and silly 9-year old son, Luca.  She loves gardening, cooking, music, cats, and true crime documentaries - though sometimes wonders what that last one says about her.

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Michelle Edelen is a keynote speaker, leadership expert, and transformation strategist with over 30 years of experience. Through her F.L.O.W. model—Faith, Leverage, Opportunity, and Wisdom—she equips audiences to build confidence, harness strengths, and drive growth. Known for her dynamic, results-driven approach, Michelle delivers practical strategies that inspire action, strengthen leadership capabilities, and cultivate empowered, high-performing teams. She helps individuals and organizations turn challenges into opportunities and elevate from average to exceptional.​​​​

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DJ Mitsch is an award-winning author, Master Certified Coach, and past President of the International Coach Federation. She is founder/CEO of The Pyramid Resource Group, the first corporate coaching company in the U.S., and a global thought leader in coaching. DJ is the author of Mystic GRITS: A Southern Girl’s Journey to Wisdom and Zombies to Zealots: ReAwaken Spirit at Work, which showcases the transformative impact of team coaching on workplace culture and engagement. As founder of the Healthcare Coaching Institute, she leads a faculty of physicians and master coaches to transform healthcare—one leader, one conversation at a time.

Annie Franceschi is a former Disney storyteller, branding expert, and host of the Establish Yourself® podcast. For 11+ years, Annie has helped more than 400 entrepreneurs clarify their brand message, package their offers, and grow businesses with confidence through her practice, Greatest Story Creative®. Along the way, she's spoken for thousands, been featured in Forbes, and written 3 bestselling books: "Establish Yourself", "Permission to Try", and "Small Biz for Kids". A Duke University graduate and major Muppets fan, Annie lives with her husband, Gus, and her favorite superhero / son, Leo, nearby in Durham, NC.​​

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Liza Weidle, CEO—Chief Encouragement Officer—of FRS Communications, has over two decades of experience empowering nonprofits, business leaders, and communities to create impactful, high-ROI initiatives. An accomplished advocate, she builds strategic relationships, maintains an active blog, and leverages social media to amplify causes. Her media background includes roles as NBC-17 Education Reporter, News & Observer columnist, and Talent Acquisition Officer for Curtis Media Group. Author of The Truth About Parenting: Navigating the Elementary Years, Liza was named 2024 Cary Chamber Citizen of the Year and is a 2025 inductee into the NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame.​​

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Lisa Hansen is a Success & Confidence Speaker, Coach, and founder of the Thriving Women’s Conference, a high-energy, judgment-free community for success, friendship, and fun. A world-traveled engineer, pastry chef, and kitchen-dancing mom, she lives what she teaches through her Thrive Method, helping ambitious women eliminate stress, build confidence, and thrive by knowing themselves—not changing themselves. Whether working with entrepreneurs or corporate leaders, Lisa equips women to succeed personally and professionally without burnout, overwhelm, or hustle-for-your-worth energy, creating a life and career they love.​​

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Wendy Coulter, CEO of Hummingbird, a brand strategy agency founded in 1995, brings over 30 years of expertise in brand positioning, differentiation, and revenue growth. She helps clients shift brand equity from owner to entity, strengthening promise, presence, and profitability. Known for delivering BIG IDEAS, intuitive innovation, and inspired creative solutions, Wendy has built Hummingbird into a trusted partner for businesses seeking impactful brand strategies. A champion of women entrepreneurs, she founded the NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame in 2018 to honor female leaders whose contributions have significantly advanced women’s entrepreneurship in North Carolina.

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