An international consultant, best-selling author and keynote speaker, Dethra is a trusted leadership communicator, career and workplace culture strategist, and “Top 100 HR Influencer.” As a thought leader and much sought-after advisor, she says her clients, including individuals, executives, professional sports teams and organizations across industries, bring her in for “transformation” — through unapologetic hard truth sprinkled with a bit of humor and actionable strategies that equip them to lead with confidence, courage, and results. Dethra recently published That’s Not What I Said, her book teaching how to master conflict with conversational competence. She will bring the same authenticity, passion, and insight to the guidance and commentary she will share at WLC.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Obtain advice on steps and strategies for defining the purpose and learning objectives driving your attendance at WLC – what you hope to learn, who you hope to meet, and how you want to grow in your leadership and professional development.

2. Reinforce your skills at making genuine connections and networking with integrity, intention, and confidence to accelerate your career goals.

3. At the end of the conference, define the three top leadership lessons from 2026 WLC that most resonated with you and where you are in your career journey.

4. Identify post-conference actions you will take to convert your 2026 WLC reflections into actions advancing your career progress.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Lessons imparted will be relevant to almost all Leadership Competencies

Melissa is the quintessential self-made leader. She will share stories from her trailblazing career journey, providing powerful strategies to help participants navigate high-stakes decisions and achieve success. Though Melissa never played basketball herself, it was her passion—in fact, her childhood dream was to be the first female coach in the NBA. She went on to forge an unconventional path that began with her job as the first “ball girl” for the NBA’s Miami Heat and led to her position as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the club’s marketing, live experience and production, brand merchandising, entertainment industry relations, community impact, and much more, Melissa is a brand leader recognized for her creativity, work ethic, and empathy.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Spur examination of how you define your career aspiration(s) – what you want to accomplish, why that matters to you, and how you will achieve your success. If you have established career goals, consider whether you wish to continue with them, or whether you aim to redefine your vision of career satisfaction, impact, and success.

2. Examine practical techniques for building vital self-confidence as a leader.

3. Explore how to tap into your inner strength, perseverance and self-belief to succeed in any circumstances and forge your path forward.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Relevant to almost all Leadership Competencies, especially Sets Vision & Direction, Builds Relationships & Coalitions, Adapts to Change & Drives Innovation

High-performing leaders are often incredibly capable – but operating beyond what their internal systems can sustainably support. 

Aligned with this year’s theme Made.Not Born., this session explores how leadership capacity is not fixed – it’s built with intention. Drawing on research across sleep, movement, nutrition, relationships, and stress regulation – as well as real-world leadership experience – this talk introduces the concept of Internal Ecology™: the idea that how we lead externally is a direct reflection of the internal systems from which we operate.

Through a concise, interactive experience, participants will explore the often-overlooked drivers of clarity, decision-making, presence, and performance – and learn how to strengthen the systems that sustain them.

Participants will leave with a practical, research-informed framework to begin closing the gap between what they’re capable of and what their system can support – so they can lead with greater clarity, resilience, and sustained impact.

Because sustainable leadership isn’t built on pushing harder – it’s built on strengthening the system beneath how you lead! 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the concept of Internal Ecology™ and its impact on leadership capacity.

2. Identify the internal drivers that influence performance under pressure.

3. Experience a simple, real-time reset to shift energy and presence.

4. Apply a practical framework to support more sustainable leadership.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Promotes Wellness; Relevant to all Leadership Competencies

Through three decades of leadership, Beth Sanner, as a former ODNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence) and CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) official, integrated intelligence gathering and analysis functions from across the government to provide indispensable intelligence to national leaders faced with massive, high-risk decision-making – including U.S. Presidents, agency heads, and U.S. Congressional leaders. She was tasked with navigating tens of thousands of employees through unimaginable challenges. From the Covid-19 pandemic and 9/11 to political scrutiny on issues ranging from the Afghan War to Russia, Sanner set the standard for guiding her teams to the other side of a crisis through ethical and forthright leadership. Drawing from her experiences leading through crisis, she shares an evidence-based approach to assessing and analyzing a crisis that leaders can use to determine the best course of action for managing the situation at hand and driving success through challenging times.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the key elements of crisis management, including how crises emerge and progress.

2. Outline the fundamental processes of crisis management, including the critical importance of crisis communications.

3. Explore strategies for crisis response and decision-making, recovery and post-crisis evaluation.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Adapts to Change & Drives Innovation; Business Acumen & Business Judgment; Effective Communication with All Levels

PANELISTS: Anne Leets, CEO, The Leets Consortium; Dethra U. Giles, CEO, ExecuPrep (Moderator); Akilah Davison-Ellis, Consult with Akilah, Licensed Financial Broker

DESCRIPTION: 

Have you ever thought “what would an executive coach advise about this matter or situation? Or that?” We know that executive coaching is a valuable tool no matter your industry, leadership level, or tenure ‒ but everyone doesn’t have the opportunity or means to consult a coach. This is your chance to have a direct, dynamic discussion and get the experts’ perspective on whatever leadership or professional issues concern you. 

We have assembled a panel of coaches, including two executive coaches to address your leadership questions, and a financial advisor who specializes in financial planning, especially women (but also men) from all circumstances, whether you are living paycheck-to-paycheck or managing investments to grow your wealth purposefully and confidently. Our panel will share insights, strategies, and practical action steps to help you gain clarity and momentum in elevating your leadership potential and financial health!  

You may raise your questions or issues on the spot at the session, or you may e-mail your questions in advance of WLC to info@fwle.org so that we can share them with our coaches. The choice is yours. Bring your most compelling questions or challenges! Remember: You get to drive the conversation during this open Q & A session!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

1. Gain practical advice from professional coaches on your leadership or financial questions and issues.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Continuous Learning & Development; Questions may relate to various leadership competencies
 

Join FWLE Founding President & CEO Phyllis A. James as she discusses with executive mindset coach, author, and podcaster Sally Allen the lessons from Sally’s recently published book, The M.I.N.D.S.E.T. Framework, a science-backed guide to the fundamental role of mindset(s) in the continuous process of “becoming” a leader who manifests purpose-driven vision, emotional intelligence, resilience, team empowerment, and above all, perpetual growth.  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the concept of “mindset” and the role and power of mindset(s) in effective leadership – our relationships, our communications, our problem-solving, our decision-making, and our forward-looking vision.

2. Differentiate “mindset” from “positive thinking.”

3. Examine the practical and actionable elements of leadership mindset(s) – from development to shifting to evolution.  

4. Probe strategies for aligning your leadership mindset(s) with your organization’s strategic objectives.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Relates to all Leadership Competencies
 

Even with the speed of the world today, it’s still only a fraction of what it’ll be in the years to come. In this era of disconnection and distraction, the leaders of today are faced with challenges, cross pressures and demands they’ve never seen before. This ever-evolving business landscape has resulted in teams finding themselves ill-equipped for the future, lacking connection and struggling to keep up with the pace of change. Jesse’s Amplified Quiet Framework allows leaders of all levels to quiet the noise in and around them, connect at a deeper level with their teams and perform at their best – not because they have to, but because they want to. This immersive and moving presentation is perfect for those who are ready to enhance their leadership from the inside out, improve their ability to navigate today’s challenges, and inspire true performance without pushing harder.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. 1. Examine proven, science-backed strategies to strengthen trust and foster a sense of belonging within your team.

1. 2. Recognize common pitfalls to avoid when aiming to boost performance and drive.

1. 3. Learn how to build relatability and deepen team bonds through genuine relationships rather than authority.

1. 4. Discover practical ways to humanize your leadership approach.
   5. Identify the three essential keys to increasing engagement and unlocking your team’s full potential.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Promotes Wellness; Relevant to almost all Leadership Competencies