Women in Business Summit 2026
Schedule
Download iCalTime Zone: MST (America/Denver)
Friday, 16 January 2026
8:15 am–9:00 am
Check In / Breakfast
Hinckley Building Entryway
9:00 am–9:15 am
Welcome Remarks
Brigitte Madrian, Dean and Marriott Distinguished Professor, BYU Marriott School of Business
Assembly Hall
9:15 am–10:00 am
Opening Keynote
Melanie Cox, CEO of Backcountry
"The Accidental CEO"
"The Accidental CEO"
Assembly Hall
10:00 am–10:15 am
Passing Break
10:15 am–11:00 am
Breakout Session 1
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1-A - Building Your Unique Personal Brand
Rob Lifferth, Co-Founder @ Techbuzz, Head of Partnerships at Obra
Assembly Hall
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1-B - The Balancing Act: Building Two Careers & a Family
Sabrina & Rob Gardner, Founder and CEO at Salt by Sabrina & Investor at Savory Fund
East Conference Room
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1-C - Claiming Your Financial Power: Confidence, Fear, and Wealth
Michelda Castro, Founder of Versatile Image & Co-Founder of Black Salt Capital
Lower Level Room A
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1-D - Power & Influence: Negotiations
Dr. Kristen DeTienne, Management Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
Lower Level Room B
11:00 am–12:00 pm
Lunch
Third Floor Open Area
12:00 pm–12:15 pm
Passing Break
12:15 pm–1:00 pm
Breakout Session 2
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2-A - Tools for the Overwhelmed: Stress, Boundaries & Coping in Real Life
Dr. Nicole Hawkins, PHD, CEO at Center for Change
Assembly Hall
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2-B - The Balancing Act: Building Two Careers & a Family
Sabrina & Rob Gardner, Founder and CEO at Salt by Sabrina & Investor at Savory Fund
East Conference Room
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2-C - The Future of Money & What Women Need to Know Now
Michelda Castro, Founder of Versatile Image & Co-Founder of Black Salt Capital
Lower Level Room A
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2-D - Negotiations Workshop
Dr. Kristen DeTienne, Management Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
Lower Level Room B
1:00 pm–2:00 pm
Networking Hour
Assembly Hall
2:00 pm–2:45 pm
Panel Sessions
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A - Career Chapters Panel: Reflecting on Growth & Opportunities
Carine Clark (Moderator), CEO First Colony Mortgage
Erin Laney Barr, Managing Director at CBRE
Kat Kennedy, General Partner at Kickstart
Becky Edwards, Founder of Governing Group. Co-Chair
Erin Laney Barr, Managing Director at CBRE
Kat Kennedy, General Partner at Kickstart
Becky Edwards, Founder of Governing Group. Co-Chair
Assembly Hall
•
B - She Built This: Stories Behind Female Founders
Lisa Jones Christensen, Ph.D., MBA (Moderator), Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship
Lexi Culliard, Founder of Kaxi.co
Aasyiah Abdulsanam, Founder at The Renatural
Roxanne Bennett, Founder of Pinners Conference
Xan Marcucci, Founder @ Confetti
Lexi Culliard, Founder of Kaxi.co
Aasyiah Abdulsanam, Founder at The Renatural
Roxanne Bennett, Founder of Pinners Conference
Xan Marcucci, Founder @ Confetti
East Conference Room
2:45 pm–3:00 pm
Passing Break
3:00 pm–3:45 pm
Closing Keynote
Brooke Walker, Host / Anchor / Executive Producer at KSL 5 TV
“Follow the Leader: Five Forces of Great Leadership”
“Follow the Leader: Five Forces of Great Leadership”
Assembly Hall
3:45 pm–4:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Assembly Hall
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Networking Hour
Assembly Hall
