Get Smart Professional Development Conference
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October 25, 2024
KMFA Classical Radio Studio
41 Navasota Street
Austin, Texas
Get Ready!
Get Smart is a half-day professional development program featuring expert speakers on a range of Communications topics.
Check this page for information updates.
We are excited to announce this year’s 2024 WCA Get Smart theme, Transitions. Transitions, whether in our personal lives, careers, or other areas, often present uncertainty and the need to adapt to new circumstances. They also give us opportunities for growth and reinvention, allowing each of us to reassess our goals and values. Embracing these transitions can lead to personal and professional development, opening doors to new possibilities and experiences. We’ll explore this and more at the annual half-day conference.
What’s in Store
Early Bird Registration (through Sept. 30):
$75 Members; $90 Non-Members
Regular Registration (through October 21):
$90 Members; $105 Non-Members
Student Registration: $30
Questions? Contact VP of Professional Development Sarah Parker. Investing in Get Smart as a sponsor is a great way to connect with a network of intelligent and forward-thinking professionals. If you’re interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact VP of Development Kathleen Hackney or Get Smart Committee Member Ayse Altunisik.
Sneak Peek: Event Agenda At-A-Glance
| Venue opens at 8:00 am for check-in + coffee, networking, light snacks Agenda starts at 9:00am9:00 am – 9:15am Get Smart Conference Begins Opening remarks and housekeeping 9:15 am – 10:15 am 10:15 – 10:30 am 10:30 am – 11:15 am 15 minute break 11:30 am – 12:15 am 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm 12:45 pm – 1:00 pm 1:00 pm | Event Concludes + After Party begins! |
Transitions
2024 PROGRAMS & SPEAKERS
TIME TO RECONNECT
Morning Coffee & Networking
Come early to check-in and network with fellow WCA members, peers and community leaders! Check-in table opens at 8:00AM with coffee and light breakfast snacks. Programming starts at 9:00AM.
SPEAKER SESSION
Keynote: Dare to Thrive
Dima Ghawi, Speaker, Author, Breaking Vases
Dima Ghawi. (pronounced Dee-ma Gaa-we)
Our speaker is Middle-Eastern in her genes, American in her heart, and a global citizen in her soul. She comes to us with decades of experience leading diverse teams, creating inclusive corporate cultures, and elevating employee engagement. Having led teams in 19 countries for IBM, Merrill Lynch, and Intuit, she developed a unique expertise in meeting the demands of an expanding global workforce. Her life’s mission is to give voice to those that are excluded within corporate cultures and their communities. The lessons she learned through her personal and professional trials fuel her with motivation to stand before you today to inspire you, propel your growth, and expand your thinking. Please help me welcome International Keynote Speaker, Award-Winning Author, and maker of the best hummus that you will ever have taste.
SPEAKER SESSION
Fireside Chat / Panel
Moderated by Natalie Poindexter
Natalie will lead a panel of exceptional women for this fireside-style chat.
- Dana Such, Audience Development Consultant, Founder of Squeezed Consulting
- Brittany Sharkey, Executive Director @ Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners | Licensed Attorney | Past President – Young Women’s Alliance
- Emily Gupton, CTO, SKG Texas, Inc
About Natalie
Natalie Poindexter is a passionate leader dedicated to advancing equity in public health, entrepreneurship, and community building. As the founder of NPI Consulting House in Austin, Texas, she combines her Master’s in Public Health and Certified Health Education Specialist credentials with over a decade of real-world experience to educate, elevate, and empower businesses and communities globally. Natalie has helped clients secure nearly $2 million in grants within her first two years, contributing to a career total of $19 million in funding. She also co-launched Convergence at SXSW 2024 to transform conference networking into meaningful, long-lasting relationships across industries and continents. A thought leader and keynote speaker, Natalie has shared insights alongside figures like US SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman and Mark Cuban, inspiring others to join her in creating a more equitable and inclusive world.
Dana Such, Panelist
Dana Such is the founder of Squeezed Consulting, where she helps nonprofits make a greater impact in the world by growing their audiences and sustainable revenue. She began her career at Texas Monthly and has over a decade of focused experience in audience development across media, e-commerce and nonprofit sectors. Outside of work, Dana has chaired local and national boards dedicated to women’s empowerment and successful paths for first-generation college students. She is a Leadership Austin and AISD UpClose alumna, 2023 Austin Under 40 Finalist, and 2022 Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial and Leadership Institute FoundHER. Dana loves being in nature, doing all things food-related and spending time with her family of four.
Brittany Sharkey, Panelist
Executive Director @ Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners | Licensed Attorney | Past President – Young Women’s Alliance
Emily Gupton, Panelist
Emily Gupton, based in Austin, Texas, currently serves as CTO of SKG, a commercial interior service provider in Austin, and COO of FOLIO, a technology startup in Austin. She is a strategic operator who loves technology, automations. and innovation. Combining her passion for people, equity, and networking, she loves creating meaningful connections and building relationships within her community. She serves as Director of Sponsorship and Community Partnerships for Austin Women in Technology. Emily graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Science in Business from UT Dallas. She received her Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University and, most recently, completed a program in Digital Transformation from MIT. In her free time, you can find her traveling, spending time with friends and family, and training for her next triathlon.
SPEAKER SESSION
Closing Keynote: Energizing Your Transitions: 3 Strategies to Supercharge Your Mindset and Impact
Carrie Vanston, CEO, Leadership Mindset Success
The past few years have sparked many transitions for us all. In the case of career transitions big or small, some are also grappling with personal and family life transitions. Our careers are a big part of our lives but we are also whole people and striking a balance can be difficult in our demanding world. A positive, growth mindset can empower you to not just survive, but create unstoppable momentum for greater achievements.
Join us for an empowering and interactive session where you’ll discover how to:
- Unlock New Opportunities: Shift your mindset to embrace new challenges and possibilities with confidence.
- Achieve Better Outcomes: Master the art of collaboration and communication to build stronger relationships and drive extraordinary results.
- Ignite Your Passion: Uncover your unique leadership style and inspire yourself and others to reach new heights.
Don’t miss this chance to transform your journey and supercharge your impact. Leave frustration behind and step into a future filled with limitless potential and fulfillment. Embrace the power of a positive, growth mindset!
About Carrie
Carrie Vanston supports executives, business owners, and their teams to connect with what they really want, develop a positive growth mindset, and raise their confidence and impact so they can achieve their goals quicker and with more joy and abundance.
She co-authored the award-winning book MiniTrends and her articles have appeared in such publications as Texas CEO Magazine, Austin Business Journal (ABJ), and Austin’s National Speakers Association (NSA) anthology.
Carrie previously led Corporate Cultures That Rock, where she helped build transformational organizations. Prior to that she led the Minitrends Project and directed the popular MiniTrends Conference Series at Technology Futures, Inc (TFI). She is presently a TFI Board Member and an Advisor with the non-profit Art 84.
She enjoys keynoting, speaking, and doing workshops on being a more energized, visionary leader and has made presentations around the world.
Carrie is the Ambassadors Officer at the Association of Corporate Growth (Austin/San Antonio) and founded and led their popular C-Suite Roundtable for two years. She is a National Speakers Association (NSA) Board Member (Austin) and a 2024 ABJ Women in Business Honoree. She was also a National Adviser and Austin Board Member of Cultures in Action.
Carrie is an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, Accredited ICF Leadership Coach, and a Professional Speaker with NSA.
On the personal side, she loves to dance, travel, and spend time with her two teenage sons.
More speakers and event details to be announced soon!
AFTER PARTY
Let’s continue the conversation after the conference!
Where: Location to be announced
When: After Get Smart (1:00 pm)
(Note: There is no cost to attend this after party event, but drinks/refreshments are self-pay.)
Get ready for goodies!
We will have some swag and door prizes in store for our guests.
Stay tuned for fun items from our sponsors and the WCA crew.
SPONSORSHIP
Putting on Get Smart requires the support of sponsors. Sponsorship is a great way to support your local business community, reach a large audience, and build goodwill. Women Communicators of Austin has approximately 250 members and over 1,800 newsletter subscribers, and almost 2,100 followers on Facebook and 3,800 on Twitter. We expect 75-100 attendees for the event. Read about sponsorship levels here.
Our communicators have reach, authority, buying power, and influence!
We are offering companies the opportunity to be a Get Smart Conference event sponsor for a wide range of benefits:
- A hyperlinked mention on the event website
- A social media shoutout prior to the event
- An intro and thank you at the event
- A logo on shared screen with the next program topic/speaker at beginning and during transitions between sessions
- A mention in the invitation, reminder, and wrap-up email
If you’re interested in becoming a Get Smart sponsor this year, please contact our VP of Development at development@wcaustin.org.
THANKS TO OUR 2024 EVENT SPONSORS
If you’re interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact VP of Development Kathleen Hackney or Get Smart Committee Member Ayse Altunisik.
