Morning Keynote
Lisa Greene
Session: Empowerment and Affirmation
About the Speaker:
Lisa Greene is an accomplished C-suite executive, strategic advisor, and executive coach with 25+ years of experience leading organizational transformation, talent strategy, and culture evolution across global enterprises. As the former Chief Human Resources Officer for CNN and WarnerMedia News & Sports (now Warner Bros. Discovery), Lisa has advised CEOs and leadership teams through high-stakes transitions including mergers, restructurings, and crises.
Lisa currently serves as Founder & Principal of Lisa Greene Consulting, where she partners with executives and leadership teams navigating complexity, scale, or cultural inflection points. Her unique value lies in her ability to bring executive presence, organizational clarity, and calm influence during periods of change. She works across industries including media, technology, and professional services.
Lisa brings deep experience in executive succession, organizational design, leadership coaching, crisis management, and values-based culture building. Based on her background and demeanor, she is frequently tapped as a career advisor as well.
Breakout Session: Affirming Your Voice: Building a Digital Persona with Purpose and Power
Brittany Chiang
Session Description:
This seminar explores how AI can multiply your presence by helping you build and deploy a digital persona or “digital twin” that works alongside you—on platforms like LinkedIn, in emails, and beyond. Brittany Chiang will walk attendees through the practical steps of designing an AI-enhanced version of themselves, including defining tone, values, and communication style, then using tools to automate and extend their influence. Whether you’re a professional looking to expand your reach or streamline your voice across platforms, this session offers actionable guidance on building your AI persona with confidence and intention.
About the Speaker:
Brittany Chiang is the CEO of local defense contractor, Flatter, Inc. focusing on digital transformation, workforce readiness, and mission acceleration for national security missions. With a B.A. in Business Administration from Boston University and a Master’s in Homeland Security from The George Washington University, she brings a rare blend of technical expertise, leadership acumen, and heart for community. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and an Associate Certified Coach (ICF ACC), Brittany empowers others to lead with clarity and confidence in both digital and real-world spaces.
Over the past 15 years, Brittany has worked closely with Federal agencies to advance their missions and develop senior leaders. Drawing on her lived experience as the daughter of a Marine and being a military spouse, she leads with authenticity and strategic vision.
As a passionate advocate for women in leadership, Brittany brings a grounded, affirming message to this colloquium: that owning your voice and telling your story—especially online—is not just powerful, it’s essential. Her talk reflects her lifelong commitment to helping others live and lead with purpose, clarity, and digital confidence.
Breakout Session: Claiming Your Space: Identity, Resilience, and the Power of Self-Affirmation
Anita Crossfield
Session Description:
The culture you’re born into plays a significant role in the person you become. I am proud Albanian woman and war survivor, abandoned as a child because my culture didn’t value my gender.
This is a part of me, and it drives my intentions to embrace my culture and my womanhood. It fuels the unstoppable power within me. This workshop will focus on strategies I use to reframe the experiences of my life to strengthen my sense of self and affirm who I am. We will discuss how you can connect to your experiences and cultural upbringing to bring your authentic self to your professional life.
About the Speaker:
Entrepreneur | Civic Leader | Advocate for Women, Immigrants & Cultural Change
Anita Crossfield is a speaker, small business owner, and civic leader whose powerful journey from war-torn Kosovo to the heart of downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia, has made her a respected voice in women’s empowerment, leadership, minority and immigrant advocacy.
She is the founder and owner of Anita’s Café & Dessert Bar, a thriving, community-centered café known not only for its handcrafted drinks and desserts, but also for being a place where kindness, purpose, and people come first.
Anita was born in Gjakova, Kosovo, and became a mother at 17. When war broke out, she fled on foot with her daughter. Enduring unimaginable fear, starvation, and trauma as she escaped violence and ethnic cleansing. She immigrated to the United States after the war ended in Kosova, determined to rebuild her life. With no resources and limited English, Anita began again.Working tirelessly, raising her daughter in an unfamiliar world,taking English classes and studying at Germanna Community College while working a full time job.Eventually she opened a business that reflects everything she stands for: strength, hope, and connection.
Her story is not just about survival, It’s about transformation. Anita comes from a culture where women were expected to ask permission to breathe. She chose to break that cycle. Her journey represents a powerful shift in generational and cultural expectations, and today she leads by example, showing other women how to claim their space, voice, and future.
Anita serves as Vice Chair of the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority, sits on the Board of Directors of the Fredericksburg Area Museum, is an active member of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, and leads service initiatives as Club Service Chair for the Rappahannock Rotary Club.
As a speaker, Anita brings raw honesty, deep wisdom, and fierce compassion to every stage. Whether delivering a keynote, joining a panel, or addressing a leadership summit, she speaks with purpose. Empowering women, small businesses, immigrants, and anyone who has ever felt silenced to rise, lead, and rewrite their narrative. Her message is simple and unforgettable: You are not defined by what broke you, but by what you choose to build next.
Breakout Session: I Like Your Glasses
Dr. Janet Gullickson
Session Description:
In times like these, when many of us are “just trying to get through the day,” women especially feel depleted and stretched thin. The saying about pouring from an empty cup becomes all too real.
But what if we’ve been thinking about this backwards? What if you could actually fill your own cup and restore your energy by affirming others?
In this interactive session, discover how shifting your focus outward—through genuine recognition and encouragement of others—can unexpectedly recharge your own spirit and open new perspectives. Learn practical strategies for creating positive energy cycles that benefit both you and those around you.
Because sometimes the fastest way to refuel yourself is to help someone else feel seen and valued.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Janet Gullickson served as President of Germanna Community College since July 2017, when she made history as the institution’s first woman president. Under her leadership, Germanna experienced remarkable growth, serving 13,500 students annually and achieving a 13% enrollment increase over five years. The college maintained a $55 million annual budget and employed more than 800 faculty and staff across its service region, which spans an area larger than Delaware. Recently, the college opened the Kevin L. Dillard and Barbara J. Friend Stafford Center, providing nursing, cyber security, business, general and workforce development education.
During her tenure, Dr. Gullickson secured over $20 million in external grants and grew the Educational Foundation’s net assets to $24 million. She has championed diversity through initiatives like Black Minds Matter, resulting in nearly 50% enrollment of students of color. The college has garnered national recognition from the Aspen Institute and established innovative programs, including Virginia’s only one-year associate degree program and partnerships with industry leaders like Amazon Web Services.
Prior to joining Germanna, Dr. Gullickson held executive positions with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, Colorado Department of Higher Education, and Community Colleges of Spokane. She holds a doctorate in Leadership and Policy from the University of Minnesota and has served on numerous regional boards.
Her commitment to education excellence has earned her the Virginia Business Women in Leadership Award as well as national recognition through the Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Service to Youth Award. In early 2025, Germanna was named as the only Opportunity Community College in Virginia, and one of only 37 community colleges nationally, by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation. This recognizes that Germanna both attracts a student body representative of the communities it serves and graduates secure jobs with family-sustaining wages.
A proud mother of three and wife to a U.S. Navy veteran, Dr. Gullickson continues to work in the nonprofit field as a consultant in the areas of culture and institutional transformation, board development, enrollment management and growth, and executive coaching.
Breakout Session: Affirmation After Loss: A Journey of Courage and Leadership
Jennifer Griffin
Session Description:
This session is a heartfelt exploration of grief in its many forms, navigating the profound loss of a daughter and the search for meaning in the aftermath. It is also a journey in leadership: how devastation can clarify values, deepen courage, and reveal the power of affirmation as a guiding principle in both life and leadership.
At its core, this is a story of affirmation—choosing, repeatedly, to affirm life in the face of devastation. It speaks of the kind of leadership that begins with the courage to stand in the wreckage and still say yes, the strength to say no to what no longer serves you, and the willingness to guide yourself through uncharted emotional territory. Through affirmation, this talk explores how grief reshapes identity, how love persists beyond death, and how even in the darkest moments, fragments of light can be found and shared.
About the Speaker:
Jennifer Griffin is the Co-Founder and President of Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation. With a background in education and 16 years of classroom experience, Jennifer transitioned to advocacy after the tragic loss of her daughter, Gwyneth. Her journey inspired a mission to raise public awareness about the importance of CPR and AED access.
Jennifer helped develop lifesaving laws, co-authoring Gwyneth’s Law (VA, 2013), advocating for Breanna’s Law (MD, 2014), and supporting CPR in Schools legislation (D.C., 2015).
A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Kindergarten Education. Outside of her work with the Foundation, she enjoys caring for her blind horse, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Breakout Session: Affirm Your Voice, Amplify Your Brand
Sonja Keeve
Session Description:
Your voice is your most powerful asset, but only if you choose to use it. In this empowering keynote, I share how podcasting can serve as both a personal affirmation and a strategic brand-building tool. Drawing from my journey of launching a podcast in my dining room to building a global platform heard in over 160 countries, I’ll reveal how speaking your truth on the mic affirms your identity, strengthens your confidence, and positions you as a leader in your field. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped to turn their affirmations into amplified influence.
About the Speaker:
Sonja Keeve, a renowned international Amazon Best Selling author, speaker, podcaster, and consultant, is not only a dedicated wife and mother but also a mentor and leader in her community. Her passion lies in empowering emerging career professional women to transform their passion projects into successful businesses, generating additional income for their households.
As the CEO of Sista’s with a Voice Podcast Network, Sonja guides women entrepreneurs in transitioning from mere contemplation of a podcast to actively Building, Launching, and Monetizing their podcast within a span of 30 days. Additionally, she serves as the Executive Director and Host of Inspiring Nations, a globally recognized podcast show broadcasted in 164+ countries. Through this platform, Sonja interviews inspiring women from diverse backgrounds, sharing their stories of everyday inspiration.
Sonja Keeve is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Strategy and Innovation at Capella University. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Strayer University and an MBA from the prestigious Jack Welch Management Institute (J.W.M.I). For those interested in her podcast courses or aspiring to be a guest on her show, visit her website at sonjakeeve.com
Breakout Session: Finding and Using your Authentic Voice
Michelle Mercurio
Session Description:
When did “being authentic” become so complicated? This interactive workshop will help you reconnect with who you really are beneath all the expectations and roles you’re juggling to help you show up more confidently and genuinely as you connect with others. We’ll dig into the real barriers that keep you from speaking up as yourself (not just as your job title) and examine how to deepen your professional and personal conversations by voicing your values. Through hands-on exercises, you’ll create your own affirmational “Authentic Voice Compass” to help steer you when meeting new people and to help you stay grounded as you interact. You’ll walk away with practical tools to speak as the real you and a stronger sense of what it means to find and use your authentic voice.
About the Speaker:
Michelle Mercurio is a catalyst and “authenticist” who helps visionaries move beyond buzzwords
to connect deeply with what matters most. Her mission in life is to help people show up
wholeheartedly and not miss their lives.
Drawing from decades of experience in Fortune 500 leadership roles and as a classroom
teacher, she launched her practice eight years ago to support humans who are evolving their
identities– those who want to be more of who they are, and less of who the world expects them
to be. With master’s degrees in Education and Human Resources Management, she brings
pedagogical expertise and a deep understanding of human development to this work.
We all have multiple aspects of our identities, and many of us are reconciling who we are in
relationship to a world that boxes us into societal norms. Her methodology centers on being fully
present with her clients and using psychology-based theories and mindful approaches to guide
authentic self-expression.
All of her clients—whether they come to Michelle for mindset and life coaching, tarot readings,
retreats and experiences, or brand storytelling and strategy—seek to see themselves and be
themselves. They spend time rediscovering to reclaim purpose, gain clarity on vision, learn tools
to access and voice their identities, and cultivate the courage, confidence, and messaging to
show up peacefully and joyfully without masks.
Her signature philosophy is “align inside, then amplify outward”— helping people translate inner
clarity into clear identity, voice, and messaging. Through workshops, retreats, and one-on-one
sessions, she helps people let go, embrace who they are, and make meaningful progress in
their lives.