The 4th Annual Actualize Women’s Leadership Conference is returning — and this year’s lineup is stronger than ever.
Actualize is an full-day program is for women in all levels of business. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, manager, nonprofit leader, or emerging professional — Actualize is designed to give you the information you need to positively impact your career.
From communication strategies such as "How to Be Heard Without Screaming" and "Dealing with Difficult People" to "Overcoming Imposter Syndrome", and "From Overextended to Impactful", this event delivers the tools and wisdom women need to perform confidently and effectively.
Expect powerful speakers
Meaningful networking
Real takeaways
Ticket prices: Members - $100
Non-members - $125
Table of 8 - $750
IHRA - Iredell Human Resources Association, SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDC),
HRCI Recertification Credit Hours - HRCI Specified Credit: 3.75 General.
Brenda Viola's career as an award-winning Public Information Officer, news anchor/producer, author, inspirational speaker, and corporate culture champion culminated in the creation of Vici Communications LLC in 2022.
WATCH A PREVIEW OF BRENDA'S KEYNOTE TOPIC ON YOUTUBE >
If you dread encounters with certain "difficult" people, this session will teach strategies to help you navigate these challenges with grace and professionalism.
. Join Be Well Iredell as we work to add tools to your toolbox as it relates to our mental health and well-being.
SCHEDULE:
Breakout Sessions:
Session 1 (AM)
Tara Youngblood – Breaking Through: Grit and Grace of a Serial Entrepreneur
Nicole Greer – How You Show Up Changes Everything
Michelle Cabell – From Overextended to Impactful: How Leaders Shift Their Thinking
Session 2 (PM)
Nancy Beard – Real Talk for Non-Profit Professionals About Juggling Responsibilities in a Changing World
Kristy Kuhl – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Spot the Signals and Rise
Boen Nutting & Andrea Sherrill - From Burnout to Boundaries: Protecting Your Mental Health While Leading
Session 3 (PM)
Kristy Kuhl – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Spot the Signals and Rise
Nicole Greer – How You Show Up Changes Everything
Brenda Viola – How to Deal with Difficult People
8:30-9:00 Registration, check-in, & networking
9:00-9:30 Welcome, Sponsor highlight, Non-profit intro
9:30-10:30 Keynote: Brenda Viola – How to be heard without Screaming
10:30-10:45 Travel to your breakout session
10:45-11:30 Breakout Session I
11:30-12:30 Lunch, visit vendor marketplace
12:30-1:15 Networking and energizer Sponsor highlight
1:15-1:30 Travel to your breakout session
1:30 – 2:15 Breakout session II
2:15 – 2:30 Travel to your breakout session
2:30- 3:15 Breakout session III
3:15-3:45 Wrap up by Brenda Viola
Brenda Viola
Speaker & Coach
Topics: Communication & Difficult People
Brenda Viola is an award-winning communicator, author, and founder of Vici Communications LLC, where she specializes in corporate culture, public speaking, and personal empowerment. A former news anchor, reporter, QVC show host, and Public Information Officer, Brenda brings dynamic real-world experience to her work. Known as a “culture champion,” she helps organizations strengthen employee engagement and equips individuals with the tools to communicate confidently, prevent burnout, and create more joyful, effective workplaces.
Michelle Cabell
MEd, MHA, Certified Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, Speaker, Published Author
Topic: From Overextended to Impactful
Michelle Cabell is a published author, speaker, mentor, coach, educator, and consultant to individuals, teams, and companies across the US and even internationally. I have a passion for motivating leaders and helping them step into their power. It is the driving force behind all that I do!
Nicole Greer
Leadership Expert & Founder, Vibrant Coaching
Topic: How You Show Up Changes Everything
Nicole Greer is the principal coach and CEO of Build a Vibrant Culture, Nicole Greer helps individuals, corporations, government, faith-based organizations and non-profits become the people they were created to be through fulfilling a mission, to work in teams, and exemplify Vibrant Leadership.
Kristy Kuhl
High Performance Coach & Energy Catalyst
Topic: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Spot the Signals and Rise
Kristy Kuhl, MBA, is a high-performance coach and former award-winning medical device sales leader with over 15 years of experience at companies including Intuitive Surgical and Hologic. After transitioning from corporate success to aligned entrepreneurship, she now helps ambitious leaders strengthen strategy, mindset, communication, and sustainable growth. Host of the Keep Rising with Kristy Kuhl podcast, Kristy is known for her bold, empathetic coaching style and her focus on redefining success through both achievement and authenticity.
Dr. Tara Youngblood
Founder of ChiliPad, Serial Entrepreneur
Topic: Breaking Through
Dr. Tara Youngblood is a visionary serial entrepreneur known for turning bold ideas into industry-shaping businesses. From developing popular consumer products to co-founding ChiliPad — a company that created a new sleep technology category and generated over $350 million in sales — her career reflects innovation, resilience, and strategic growth. Recognized by Time Magazine as a “Top 100 Invention of the Year” and a seven-time Inc. 5000 honoree, Dr. Youngblood combines scientific expertise with entrepreneurial vision to build solutions that truly change lives.
Nancy Beard
CFRE, Director of Endowment Giving
Topic: Real Talk for Non-Profit Professionals About Juggling Responsibilities in a Changing World
Nancy Beard, CFRE (ret.) has thirty years of fundraising stories and experience. She is a thought leader in non-profit work who delights in teaching others how to love fund development work and to make it FUN. Nancy came out of retirement in the summer of 2024 to help the United Way of Iredell County launch a legacy program and currently works two days a week as their Director of Endowment Giving. Nancy served as President of North Carolina Council of Charitable Gift Planners and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is a graduate of Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina and has her Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and is a Master Trainer through the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Nancy is a Certified Life Coach with a practice coaching executive and fund development women who work in the non-profit sector.
Boen Nutting
Ed.D - Adjunct Professor, Gardner-Webb University
Topic: From Burnout to Boundaries: Protecting Your Mental Health While Leading
Dr. Boen Nutting is a retired educator, having served as a principal and district administrator in Iredell County. She juggled the role of wife, mom, and professional for many years, and has a special interest in youth and women’s mental health and well-being. She brings her years of experience to the topic. She is a certified Community Resilience Model (CRM) trainer and proud member of the Be Well Iredell Team.
Andrea Sherrill
MS, RD, LDN - FCS Agent, NC Cooperative Extension
Topic: From Burnout to Boundaries: Protecting Your Mental Health While Leading
Andrea Sherrill is a registered dietitian with over 25 years of experience in corporate wellness, clinical nutrition, and higher education. She continues to navigate the challenges of being a mom, wife, professional, and striving to be a better human, and has a special passion for mental health and well-being. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and is proud to be part of the Be Well Iredell team.
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