黑料网

13th Annual Women in Leadership Series

SD CEO West

Conference Information

June 17, 2026 | The Joy Center, 1351 St Joe St, Spearfish, SD 57783 
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MT


June 18, 2026 | The Joy Center, 1351 St Joe St, Spearfish, SD 57783
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. MT


July 22, 2026 | 黑料网 - Rapid City, 4300 Cheyenne Blvd., Box Elder, SD 57719
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MT


July 23, 2026 | 黑料网 - Rapid City, 4300 Cheyenne Blvd., Box Elder, SD 57719
8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. MT

The 13th Annual Women in Leadership cohort is a 4-day professional development intensive in the Black Hills. Elevate your career trajectory with strategic leadership and management training designed for women focused on advancing in leadership positions and enhancing in their personal satisfaction in their workplace. 

Whether you're an intrapreneur, entrepreneur, or both, this program is tailored to unlock your position as a leader in today's dynamic world. Learn from industry experts as you cultivate confidence through strategic mindset, personal well-being, finesse in communication, inner circle development, and professional skillsets. 

Each day, participants will engage in experiential learning and have dedicated time to expand their network, explore emerging business trends, and foster the growth of their professional circle.

Registration

The cost of the 4-day program is $499
Included:

- Women's Business Summit ticket (Value $150+) (October 22, 2026 at The Lodge At Deadwood)

- ClifftonStrengths Assessment

- Daily Lunch

- Coffee and snacks

June 17 & 18, 2026 鈥 Spearfish:

Session 1 focuses on leadership and empowering participants to leverage their unique perspectives and strengths to effect postive change in their organizations and communities.

July 22 & 23, 2026  鈥 Rapid City:

In Session 2, participants will deepen their management principles by exploring interpersonal dynamics, technical trainings, and strategies for effective people management.


Ready to grow your leadership skills & join the Women in Leadership Cohort of 2026!? Click the link below to fill out your application.

If you're still thinking about it, fill out our email form to recieve updates!

Day-to-Day Schedule

Presentations are subject to change.

Day 1 - June 17

The Joy Center, 1351 St Joe St, Spearfish, SD 57783 

Delve into the motivations behind both our professional and personal development journeys, focusing on authenticity and harnessing our strengths to enhance our presence inside and out.

Time Activity
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Check-In
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m. Introduction & Setting Expectations
9:20 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Strength Finders - Who You Are, Naturally with Michelle May, G.A.T.E Consulting

We will discover and delight in our personal top 5 Strenthgs via CliftonStrengths while also getting
to know others and their Strengths. This session will focus interactively on how defining your story
starts by knowing and owning your strengths. We will also take a collaborative look at our unique
contribution to the team and what we can bring to the table for others in our spheres of influence.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Strength Finders - Digging Deeper Into How You Intersect & Influence Others with Michelle May,
G.A.T.E Consulting

Discover our main domain and how we work with others while maximizing our CliftonStrengths. We will
conclude our time together with some fun, engaging team presentations, and teach backs.
  

2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Networking with Michelle Kane, Sanford Underground Research Facility Foundation

This session will cover how to network effectively and build a networking strategy. Create a 10-second
story that will be used to build a three part networking event strategy.

3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Reflections on the Day
4:00 p.m. Close

 

Day 2 鈥 June 18

The Joy Center, 1351 St Joe St, Spearfish, SD 57783 

Explore your personal leadership style by building confidence in your skills, communications, and claiming your professional growth path.

Time Activity
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Check-In & Welcome
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Strength Finders - Explore More Of Your Strengths with Michelle May, G.A.T.E Consulting

Today, we will unpack our individual 34 Strengths in descending order by unpacking our Dominant,
Supporting and Lesser themes. We do not focus on our weaknesses, but rather how we can manage our
Strengths while being aware of our lesser talents. We will carefully consider how we can get the most out
of our full 34 CliftonStrengths report while learning to leverage our natural power, and potential.

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Strength Finders - Conflicting Strengths or Powerful Synergy? Develop a Diamond Discovery Statement
with
Michelle May, G.A.T.E. Consulting

What do we do when our strengths seemingly contradict each other, either in our own Top 5 or with
others? In this session, you鈥檒l learn how to handle conflict and contrast and deal with 鈥渄ifferent鈥 people
while maximizing our Strengths. This session will end with creating a custom Diamond Discovery
Statement that will carry on the passion, purpose and essence of who you are!
 

12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Growing Wealth with Intention with Melissa Hampton, Hampton Wealth Management

Learn healthy steps and smart strategies to grow your wealth now and prepare for your future, including
financial progression and simple daily steps to help reach your goals.
2:00  p.m. - 2:10 p.m. Break
2:10 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Conversation Jar
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Personal Budgeting with Anita Carlson, Small Business Accounting Services

This session dives into the essentials of personal budgeting and covers the definition and benefits of
budgeting, steps to create a budget, tips and tools for effective management, and concludes with a Q&A
and practical takeaways.

3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Navigating Ambiguity with Nicol Reiner, Sanford Underground Research Facility

Learn out how to move in, with, and through the unknown - in ways that forward creativity and inform
decision making.

4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Close

 

Day 3 鈥 July 22

黑料网 鈥 Rapid City, 4300 Cheyenne Blvd., Box Elder SD, 57719

Managing a team relies on leveraging your strengths and technical skills to build and guide effective teams

Time Activity
8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Check-in
8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Welcome & Session 1 Recap
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Crucial Conversations with Leah Braun, City of Rapid City

Provide guidelines for effective conversations with employees, leaders, and clients, emphasizing a safe
environment, appropriate timing and tone, and the proper medium for feedback, supplemented
with practical tools and activities to foster better communication.

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Effective Interviewing with Tallyn Moser & Anu Varghese, Ketel Thorstenson

This session provides strategies and insights for interviewing, both as applicant and employer. Learn to
structure an interview, responses to look for, and practice your skills.

11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Leveraging LinkedIn, Personal Brand & Networking with Megan Batten, Midwest Marketing

In today鈥檚 professional landscape, your online presence often speaks before you do. Whether you're job
seeking, growing a business, or building credibility in your field, how you show up online and within your
network can directly impact your opportunities.
12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Managing Increased Responsibilities Using AI with Michelle Kane, Sanford Underground Research
Facility Foundation
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Panel Discussion
4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Close & Depart for Social Hour
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Social Hour

 

Day 4 鈥 July 23

黑料网 鈥 Rapid City, 4300 Cheyenne Blvd., Box Elder SD, 57719

Managing a team relies on leveraging your strengths and technical skills to build and guide effective teams.

Time Activity
8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Check-in
8:15 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. Welcome
8:20 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Creating Culture, Leadership, & Building Your Team with Kayla Klein, Klein Visioneering Group

Attendees will learn to build the right team through enhancing engagement, motivation, and creative
incentives while living core values and establishing the tone of the team. They will also discover strategies
to maximize team morale and effectiveness by fostering a strong team culture.

9:15 a.m. - 10:05 a.m.

Breaking the Stress Cycle: A Science-Based Approach with Melissa Pickle, Firmly Flourishing

Explore the critical difference between dealing with stressors and actually completing the body's stress
response cycle. Through a blend of education, self-reflection, and practical skill-building, participants
will gain a deeper understanding of their body's stress response and learn multiple techniques to signal
safety to their nervous system.

10:05 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Financial Detective: Uncovering the Story Behind the Numbers with Sara Pesek May, GenPro Energy

Learn to read financial statements like a detective solving mysteries. Through interactive exercises, real company
case studies, and relatable analogies, discover how balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow
forecasting reveal the true story behind business success and failure.鈥嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧

11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Own the Room: Mastering Yourself and the Stage with STYLE with Jenn Landis, Jenn Landis LLC

Command attention, inspire action, and leave a lasting impression every time you speak. This session is
designed to empower you to step into the spotlight with confidence and authenticity.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Negotiate Like a Girl with Shanna Hockert, RoShamBo Creative

The session focused on job and client/sales negotiations, offering women in business practical strategies to
secure better job offers and close deals more effectively. Participants practiced real-world scenarios to enhance
their confidence and negotiation skills.

1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Breaking Barriers: The Power of Communication with Heidi Haro, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

Explore strategies for effectively communicating as a leader, especially when faced with individuals who may not recognize or respect your authority. Whether you鈥檙e dealing
with subordinates, peers, or supervisors, the focus will be on building trust, asserting your leadership, and finding common ground.

2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p..m. Break
2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Crafting Your Career Compass: Setting Goals, Building Skills, and Growing with Purpose with Corinne Heiberger, SDSMT Director of Career Services

Explore practical and reflective tools to take charge of your career journey. Through guided activities like personal
SWOT analysis and SMART goal setting, participants assess their strengths, clarify their aspirations, and map
out actionable steps for growth.

3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Time Management with Kristine Watts, Black Hills Energy

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of essential time management techniques designed to
boost productivity and efficiency. Attendees will learn practical strategies for prioritizing tasks, managing emails and overcoming procrastination.
  

4:00 p.m. Close