Women in Tech Expo: Grow Better Together

Network with a diverse group of talented women and invest in your personal & professional growth with a variety of interactive workshops
About this Event

The Knoxville Technology Council's Women in Tech are hosting the fifth annual Women in Tech Expo: Grow Better Together!

Join a diverse group of talented women and invest in your personal & professional growth with a variety of motivating workshops, networking, keynote presentation, and more!

Your ticket includes:

• Professional speakers sharing professional & personal growth advice
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Happy Hour
• Networking with peers and local leaders
• Professional Headshot
• Women in Tech swag
• Prize giveaways from local vendors

Keynote speaker Dr. Jermaine Davis will bring energy, humor, and motivation as he shares how to turn setbacks into strategic comebacks. Dr. Davis holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and has partnered with prominent organizations, including 3M, the FBI, West Point, and Yale University, to build high-performing teams and thriving workplace cultures. His own story started in the Chicago projects where he lost six family members to violence. That journey fuels his message and led him to become Founder of the Dump The Slump Institute, author 11 books, and inspire leaders at every level.

Visit witexpoknoxville.com to view additional speakers and session topics!

Premier Sponsors

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EVENT REGISTRATION

Tickets are $180 for WiT members, and $240 for non-members. Student tickets are $36 (please register with your .edu email). All tickets are non-refundable.

Not a WiT Member? Learn how to join with a free WiT membership.

For group registrations of 10 tickets or more, please contact knoxvillewit [at] gmail.com

MORE EVENT INFO

See a more detailed schedule at witexpoknoxville.com

Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Thrive! Energizing Your Life & Career from the Inside Out
Host: Dr. Jermaine Davis

Info: Are you ready to thrive and succeed in life, school, and work? In this engaging and informative keynote, Dr. Jermaine shares practical tips to help you recharge, stress less, and beat burnout. You’ll discover how to reimagine your professional brand, increase your personal influence, and successfully communicate up, down, and across your organization. Get ready to walk away energized, equipped, and ready to level up as you position yourself to flourish in all areas of your life. Get ready to laugh, learn, and have fun with Dr. Jermaine as you learn how to thrive from the inside out.

BREAKOUT SESSION 1

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
The Productivity Glow-up: Building an AI-Enabled Workforce
Host: Jess Teske

Info: As AI continues to redefine industries, the biggest opportunity isn't replacing people. It's empowering them. This session will explore how organizations are equipping their workforce for the AI era, how teams are successfully integrating AI into their daily work, and how professionals can use AI to amplify their productivity, creativity, and influence. Attendees will leave with practical insights on staying competitive, building an AI-enhanced personal brand, and positioning themselves for success in the future of work.

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Do It Scared – The Science and Strategy of Courageous Leadership
Host: Alyssa Schoudel & Ed Ignatavich

Info: Fear is universal — but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock. This interactive 45-minute session equips professionals with the mindset, science, and practical tools to take bold action even when fear shows up first.
Grounded in research from thought leaders, participants will explore how fear works in the brain, why staying comfortable carries its own risks, and how courage is a skill — not a personality trait. Through reflection activities, real-world scenarios, and hands-on exercises, attendees leave with concrete strategies they can apply immediately.
What you’ll walk away with:
1) A new understanding of fear as a growth signal, not a flaw
2) Practical tools including micro-bravery, fear-setting, and courage anchors
3) A personal commitment to one brave action this week
Whether you’re leading teams, navigating change, or simply trying to speak up more — this session will challenge you to feel the fear and do it anyway.

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Death by 1000 Chat Bots
Host: Katherine Taylor

Info: Generative AI is everywhere — but most products fail to deliver real value, and customers are tired of being forced to use chatbots that add friction instead of solving real problems. Drawing from firsthand experience, including both successful deployments and costly missteps, this session explores why some AI products succeed while others crash and burn. Attendees will learn how to:Identify problems that GenAI can actually solve — not just hype
Evaluate product-market fit for AI solutions
Assess whether their data, infrastructure, and model constraints can support a GenAI product
Prioritize AI investments using a structured innovation framework. This talk equips attendees with practical tools to critically assess GenAI opportunities, ensuring their next project delivers measurable value instead of becoming another chatbot no one wants to use.

LUNCH

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:25 PM
LUNCH
GROUP SESSION

🕑: 12:25 PM - 01:25 PM
Every Day Is a Lucky Day — Lessons from the Miracle on the Hudson
Host: Vallie Collins

Info: As a salesperson, travel was simply part of the job for Vallie — until one flight changed everything. On January 15, 2009, Vallie was a passenger aboard US Airways Flight 1549 when it made its emergency landing in New York’s Hudson River, an event the world now knows as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
In this session, Vallie will take attendees inside that unforgettable day, sharing firsthand details of the flight, the water landing, and the dramatic rescue that followed. More than a survival story, her experience became a turning point — and she’ll share the key learnings that reshaped her perspective, hopefully inspiring and motivating everyone to treasure each and every day. After all, as Vallie puts it, “every day is a lucky day!”
Back by popular demand as an encore from last year’s expo, Vallie will also share the life lessons she made a point of passing on to her kids — moments and messages she’s grateful she never missed the chance to share.

BREAKOUT SESSION 2

🕑: 01:40 PM - 02:25 PM
EQ as a Woman's Superpower and How to Use It
Host: Nikki Maginn

Info: For decades, success in STEM has been measured by technical expertise. Yet research continues to show that emotional intelligence is one of the strongest predictors of leadership, influence, collaboration, and career growth. Women often bring unique strengths in emotional awareness, relationship building, and communication, making emotional intelligence a powerful advantage in technical environments. In this session, we’ll explore the neuroscience behind emotional intelligence, why these skills matter more than ever, and how women can intentionally leverage this natural strength to increase their impact, lead with confidence, and thrive in STEM careers.

🕑: 01:40 PM - 02:25 PM
Leadership & Women in Entrepreneurship
Host: Misty Mayes

Info: As both a keynote speaker and panelist, Misty Mayes shares insights from her journey as a founder and leader in today’s evolving business landscape. She addresses the challenges and opportunities women face in entrepreneurship, emphasizing resilience, strategic growth, and leading with purpose. Misty also explores what it means to lead with authenticity and impact, highlighting the importance of adaptability, courage, and empowering teams to drive innovation and meaningful change.

🕑: 01:40 PM - 02:25 PM
Working Moms on the Systems That Saved Them
Host: Allie Carlisle

Info: Real talk. Real strategies. From moms who are living it right now — and lived to tell the tale.

You've color-coded the calendar, set three alarms, and still somehow forgot it was pajama day. Sound familiar?

Join four powerhouse working moms — spanning every stage of the chaos — as they pull back the curtain on the systems, hacks, and hard-won wisdom that help them show up fully at work and at home. Whether you're surviving the toddler years on caffeine and courage, navigating the school shuffle, holding on tight through the high school sprint, or rediscovering yourself in the quiet of an empty nest — there's something in this conversation for you.

No judgment. No perfect answers. Just practical tools, honest moments, and the kind of advice you'd get from a friend who's already been there.

GROUP SESSION

🕑: 02:40 PM - 03:40 PM
Beyond the Hype - Using AI to Win Back Your Time, Mind, and Sanity
Host: Felicia Slattery

Info: Everywhere you look, headlines and business leaders are promising that AI will revolutionize the future. But between endless tech rollouts, buzzword-heavy pitches, and mandatory chatbots, AI fatigue is real. Constantly interpreting outputs, refining prompts, and responding to “smart” suggestions can leave your brain frazzled long before you log off.

In this high-energy finale session, we’re focusing on the ultimate premium for working women: winning back your time and peace of mind.

Learn how to filter out the AI “sludge” and turn these tools into your personal assistant—from streamlining tedious workflows to tackling the mental load at home. We’ll also explore practical strategies to unplug, de-stress, and reset your brain after a day of being always on.

HAPPY HOUR

🕑: 04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
HAPPY HOUR