Description

EmpowHER - Power of Connections

The EmpowHER event began in 2019 to celebrate International Women's Day and to empower women leaders in business. EmpowHER 2026 will take place Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy, Ohio. The 2026 conference theme, “Power of Connections,” explores how meaningful connection—to oneself, mindset, body, others, and personal and professional growth—shapes leadership, wellbeing, and success.  

Sherica Hymes - Sherica Hymes is a dynamic executive coach, consultant, and sought-after motivational speaker with over 20 years of experience empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to expand their potential and accelerate growth. Sherica is the founder & CEO of Polished Consulting, LLC — a leadership development and strategic consulting firm that helps leaders engage, empower, and motivate people to perform at their highest level. As a professional speaker, she captivates audiences with engaging storytelling infused with humor, insight, and practical tools that inspire action and transformation. Her work span leadership, team building, women's empowerment, diversity & inclusion, employee engagement, communications, and personal motivation. Sherica also founded Total Woman Summit, a platform dedicated to empowering women through education, connection, and community. Through both corporate and community forums, Sherica inspires attendees to dream bigger, think differently, and lead with purpose.

Topic - From Influence to Impact: Navigating Leadership With Clarity, Courage & Connection

Attendees will walk away with:

1. Clarity on personal purpose and authentic leadership expression — how internal alignment fuels confidence and resilience.

2. Practical strategies to build intentional connections with others — including communication practices that foster belonging and collaboration.

3. Tools to cultivate a growth mindset and leverage interpersonal influence for professional mobility and well-being.

Michelle Schulze - Michelle Schulze is a Transformational Life Coach, speaker, and founder of R.I.S.E. Transformational Coaching. With over three decades of experience as a successful salon professional, educator, and business owner, Michelle understands firsthand the pressure of high performing environments and the importance of inner alignment. After navigating significant personal and professional challenges early in life, Michelle discovered that true transformation does not come from pushing harder, it comes from awareness, mindset mastery, and learning to trust your inner guidance. Today, she helps individuals and organizations reconnect with clarity, confidence, and purpose through proven personal development principles and practical tools. Known for her grounded, relatable, and empowering approach, Michelle creates space for meaningful insight and lasting change.

Topic - Your Inner Guidance System, Using Intuition to Make Clear, Confident Decisions

In a fast paced world filled with constant input and competing expectations, many women feel disconnected from their own inner knowing, leading to overthinking, second guessing, and decision fatigue. This session introduces intuition as a practical, accessible guidance system that supports clarity, confidence, and alignment in both personal and professional decisions. Participants will learn how to recognize intuitive signals, distinguish them from fear or mental noise, and reconnect with their body’s natural wisdom. Through guided reflection, simple awareness exercises, and meaningful discussion, attendees will leave feeling grounded, empowered, and more trusting of themselves, with tools they can immediately apply in daily life and leadership.

Nikki Blair Gates - I am a leader and speaker passionate about relational leadership and the power of connection. My leadership journey has been shaped not only by formal education and professional roles, but by the individuals I have taught, served, and learned from along the way. Through these experiences, I discovered that leadership is not about having all the answers—it is about listening, learning, and growing alongside others. I bring a real-world, reflective approach to leadership development, grounded in authenticity, resilience, and connection. I believe some of the most impactful leadership lessons come through challenge, change, and unexpected teachers. Through storytelling and practical application, I empower others—especially women—to recognize their influence, trust their experiences, and lead with confidence and compassion.

Topic - Connections in Personal and Professional Life:

Leadership is often taught as authority, expertise, or position—but some of the most powerful leadership lessons are learned through connection, listening, and lived experience. In this session, I share how my understanding of leadership was shaped not from standing at the front of the room, but from the students, individuals, and communities I served. Through moments of challenge, growth, and unexpected teaching, I learned that leadership is relational at its core. This session explores how connection—to others, to self, and to mindset—builds trust, resilience, and authentic influence. Attendees will reflect on how their own experiences, obstacles, and relationships have shaped their leadership style and how they can lead more effectively by listening, adapting, and showing up authentically. Participants will leave with practical strategies for strengthening relationships, navigating challenges, and leading with confidence in both personal and professional spaces.

Wendy Roop - Wendy Roop is an executive leadership coach, speaker, and facilitator who helps individuals and organizations lead from the inside out. With over 25 years of experience working in and alongside corporate America, Wendy brings a unique blend of strategic leadership, emotional intelligence, and grounded presence to her work. As the founder of Wendy Roop Coaching LLC, she partners with executives, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams to build self-awareness, strengthen connection, and create sustainable success rooted in alignment and authenticity. Wendy is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation and a certified John Maxwell Coach, Trainer, and Speaker. Known for her warm, relatable style, Wendy creates spaces where people feel seen, grounded, and empowered to show up fully — at work, at home, and in their communities. 

Topic - Lead from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection That Changes Everything

In a world that rewards hustle, productivity, and constant output, many women find themselves successful on the outside but disconnected on the inside. This keynote invites participants to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover the internal foundation that fuels clarity, confidence, and sustainable leadership. Drawing from executive coaching, leadership development, and real-world experience, this session explores how connection — to self, mindset, body, and others — is not a “soft skill,” but a critical leadership advantage. Attendees will walk away grounded, energized, and equipped with practical tools to lead and live with greater intention.

Tickets:

$50 Troy Chamber Members

$60 Future Chamber Members

$200 Supporting Sponsor

$500 Table Sponsor