The GROW Conference 2026 - Anderson

Join us on September 17th at The Flagship Enterprise Center for The GROW Conference – Anderson, where this year's theme is Leaders Who RISE.

This energizing day is designed for women who are ready to grow their leadership skills, expand their network, and be inspired by new ideas.

Featuring keynote speaker Suzanne Fodor—a leadership coach, learning strategist, and improv expert—along with engaging breakout sessions, meaningful networking opportunities, a vendor expo, and great food, this is an event you won't want to miss!

• Suzanne will be speaking on Yes, And... Your Next Level of Leadership. This dynamic session invites women leaders to discover the voice of their inner leader and become catalysts in their own lives and leadership. Drawing on leadership coaching and the improvisational principle of "Yes, And," Suzanne Fodor explores how the choices we make - and the stories we tell ourselves - shape what's possible. Through humor, heart, and practical insight, we'll discover when to say "Yes, And" to opportunities that align with our strengths and purpose, when a purposeful "No" creates the space for what matters most, and how to lead ourselves with greater intention, courage, and authenticity.

Come ready to learn, connect, and leave empowered to RISE to your next level of leadership.

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CONFERENCE AGENDA:

7:45am - Registration Begins

8am-9am - Vendor Booths Open

8:15am - Prize Giveaways

9am-9:30am - Welcome and Networking Activity

9:30am-10:15am - Keynote

10:30am-11:20pm - First Breakout Session

11:30pm-1pm - Lunch and Vendor Booths Open

1:15-2:05pm - Second Breakout Session

2:20pm-3:10pm - Third Breakout Session

3:15-3:30 - Closing and Final Giveaways

3:30-4:30 - Bonus Networking Event!

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BREAKOUT SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Evgenia Baikova - "Know Your Strengths, Own Your Voice"

• Erika Petrelli Bayh - "Magnetic & Effervescent Leadership"

• Marquisha Bridgeman - "From Roles to Self - Reclaiming Your Identity in this Season"

• Andrea Dodson - "From Employee to Owner: Building a Business Through Strategic Risk Taking"

• Kristal Graybiel - "A Guided Meditation & Practical Tools for Calming the Nervous System"

• Whitney Grout - "The Unexpected Playbook: What Every Woman Should Know Before She Needs a Lawyer; Preparing for the Unplanned: Legal Protection Through Every Season of Life"

• Leslie Hurst - "Managing Up"

• Sarah Kendrick - "Making the Unmentionable Manageable: What Barbie and Mr. Rogers Can Teach Us About Pre-Planning"

• Stefanie Leiter - "Becoming Culturally Intelligent"

• Beth Scholer - "Rise from the Inside Out: Nourishing the Leader Within"

• Kelly Wright - "Leading When AI Can Act: Ethical Delegation, Human Judgment, and the Future of Work"

• Caitlin Wuethrich - "Skip the Al Slop: Social Media That Connects"

ABOUT THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Suzanne Fodor is a learning strategist, leadership consultant, certified coach, and founder of Self Catalyst Coaching. With two decades of experience spanning leadership development, learning design, communication, and improvisational theater, she helps individuals and organizations transform insight into meaningful action. A Second City-trained improviser, Suzanne blends the principles of "Yes, And" with evidence-based coaching and human-centered learning to inspire growth, resilience, and authentic leadership. She believes the most powerful leaders become Self Catalysts - people who create momentum from within by leading themselves with intention, courage, and purpose. Suzanne has designed and facilitated leadership experiences for organizations including Harvard Kennedy School, Kelley School of Business, John Deere, Cummins, GAP Inc., Altria, and other Fortune 500 companies. She is passionate about helping people tap into their inner leader so they can rise with greater confidence, purpose, and impact. Link up with Suzanne.