Breakout Sessions
Discover our incredible breakout sessions that are designed to enhance your ability to communicate, connect, and lead from a place of empowerment.
KEYNOTE SPEECH
Storytelling for Leadership
Jenn Smist, PhD
Join Dr. Jenn Smist as we explore how women leaders can harness their unique strengths to drive positive change, inspire collaboration, and create lasting impact. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an emerging leader, an aspiring change-maker, or a woman with a story to tell (which is all of us!), this Keynote will empower you to lead with purpose, impact, and authenticity.
Dr. Jenn Smist is a Teaching Assistant Professor of Organizational and Community Leadership in the Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications Program in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is passionate about helping students develop their capacity to address complex challenges and achieve their personal and professional potential. Her teaching focuses on personal development, emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication, and collective leadership within complex organizations and systems. Additionally, Dr. Smist puts leadership into practice through her service on two local non-profit boards, currently serving as President of the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana and Community Impact Chair on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Champaign County.
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Storytelling for Motherhood: Prioritizing Mental Health and Self Care
Adi Puckett
Sponsored by Two Roads Wellness
Adi knows how stressful Motherhood can be. She took herself on a self care journey, where she learned to take hold of her mental health and make time and space for herself in order to be the best mother possible. Now she shares not just her story, but clinical insight on what motherhood does to the psyche of women during this important time of life.
Adi is a Board Certified Master Mental Health Coach at Two Roads Wellness Clinic where she provides guidance for clients wrestling with mild to moderate mental health challenges. She helps them manage emotions, challenge negative thinking patterns, improve relationship skills, and reduce stress and anxiety. Her clients can develop greater self-awareness, implement tools to better manage their lives, and pursue specific mental health goals.
Adi is also a published author, public speaker, ministry leader, and community influencer as she strives to unify people across all areas of division. She appeared on stage in “That’s What She Said” in February 2023, sharing her powerful story.
Adi’s favorite place of service is in the home she shares with her husband, Franklin, their shared children, and a spoiled doggy named Mocha.
Storytelling for Empowerment through Humor
Jamie Muscato
Jamie is no stranger to using humor to bring relief to some of life's crappier moments. In fact, she used that approach to create a decade-long brand and platform full of feel-good shifts. She will share some anecdotes of how choosing to apply a light-hearted approach to some rather un-funny moments has helped to lighten her load. Everybody has a story. Every story, no matter how dark, has the potential for humor.
Assumption native Jamie Muscato grew up calling Decatur her nearest “big city.” In the fall of 2002, she moved into the dorms at Millikin University and has been a local ever since. With a Big Blue undergraduate degree in education and her master’s degree in educational administration from Eastern Illinois University, she took a step back from 9-5s and W2s to be a stay-at-home mom to her son, Miller. Creativity sparked, and she became the founder and creator of Commode To Joy, a blog turned Insta presence and an empathy card line where she found “happy in the crappy” and encouraged others to take feel-good shifts.
She got to take that spark to the stage in April of ’24 as a speaker for Decatur’s inaugural That’s What She Said event. Currently the librarian and technology teacher at Miller’s school, when not shelving books or charging Chromebooks, Jamie enjoys music, playing tennis, true crime podcasts, and loving on her cat, Rigby.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
Storytelling for Feeding your Body and Soul
Sasha Powell
Sponsored by Two Roads Wellness
Sasha will share the impacts of nutrients, macros, and hormone changes, during all phases of female life. Her insight into how lifestyle changes can impact health and the quality of life have made her a sought-out practitioner at Two Roads Wellness. This presentation will offer practical tips to taking control of your health for every phase of womanhood.
An Advanced Practice Nurse, Sasha graduated from Indiana State University with a Master’s of Science in Nursing and is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She is certified as a family nurse practitioner. Sasha is also a Certified Specialist in Holistic & Integrative Health Care and a Certified Nutritional Genomics Specialist.
Storytelling for Overcoming Trauma
Shandra Summerville
Have you heard, "Sharing your story will help someone else." There is research that shows when you share a trauma that has happened, it can help with your healing journey. In this workshop learn how you can share your story, why it can be helpful and provide healing. You will learn to observe when you are ready, how your story can be shared, and tools for self-care after you share your story.
Shandra currently serves as the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Coordinator for the Champaign County Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Boards. She specializes in cultural competence training and development for organizations that want to expand their capacity to become culturally responsive. In addition, she is an instructor for Mental Health First Aid for Adults, Public Safety, and Adults Assisting Youth.
Shandra Summerville attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas majoring in Speech and Drama with an emphasis on Mass Communications and Public Relations. Shandra was born and raised in the C-U Community and returned to the Champaign-Urbana area after residing in Pine Bluff Arkansas, where she worked as a Field Director for the Girl Scouts and served as the director of an Adult Day Center Facility.
Shanda was also a 2023 featured speaker for 10th Anniversary of “That’s
What She Said.” Shandra is the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Champaign and is a member of the NAACP Champaign County Branch.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Storytelling for Emotions
Gina Johnson
Emotions tell the story of YOU! We cannot know ourselves unless we are aware of and understand our emotional selves. In this session, Gina will address the following questions: where do emotions come from, why do they matter, and how can to work
with them so that we can be in charge of them and they are not in charge of us? Gina’s evidence based & practical approach to emotions is key to developing a sense of self and creating the life we want (from the inside out)!
Gina Johnson earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has advanced certifications in trauma and loss with 25 years experience helping people of all ages improve the quality of their lives. Gina has a mental health practice in Urbana, also named blueprint, where she (& others) provide services to both individuals and groups.
To reach Gina and/or find out more go to blueprintmotto.com or check her out on Instagram at gina_johnson_blueprint.
Storytelling for Your Legacy
Charlene Homan
Unlock the power of your personal narrative with Charlene Homan's storytelling breakout session, Storytelling for your Legacy. Designed for individuals looking to share their unique experiences, this session provides the tools and techniques to craft compelling, authentic stories. Whether you're writing for personal reflection or to leave a legacy through a book, Charlene will guide you through the process of transforming memories into engaging narratives that resonate with readers.
Charlene Homan is a seasoned writer and the founder of Touchstone Storytelling LLC in Bloomington, IL, which she established in December 2015. Through this endeavor, Charlene crafts, edits and designs personal histories and family stories, transforming them into custom books that preserve legacies for generations to come. Motivated by the belief that everyone has a story to tell, she finds deep fulfillment in helping clients share their unique narratives with loved ones.
In addition to leading Touchstone Storytelling, Charlene is an accomplished freelance editor, book designer and business communication manager. With 20 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations and development, she brings a wealth of expertise to every project.
Charlene is also an active community member, having served on the board of directors for Faith in Action and The Professional Women of McLean County. Currently, she is the co-founder and a board member of The ExtraOrdinary Women Project BN, a storytelling platform dedicated to uplifting and celebrating women in her community.
Charlene holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Eastern Illinois University, with minors in Journalism and Public Relations.
Don't Miss Out
The Power of Storytelling Conference is an opportunity you simply can't afford to miss. Secure your ticket now and immerse yourself in a world of inspiration, learning, and connections. Join us for this transformative event, where you'll discover the strength of your own narrative, forge meaningful connections, and empower yourself to drive positive change both personally and professionally. Let the power of storytelling guide you on a journey of self-discovery and celebration of the incredible impact of women's voices.
