Pick up your schedule, name badge and lanyard at check-in and then proceed to network with other attendees over coffee and a light continental breakfast.

Dean Bilson (Illinois Tech) will welcome attendees to Illinois Institute of Technology Stuart School of Business downtown campus, share some information about Illinois Tech and the event. Following his welcome, hear from Brenda Darden Wilkerson (President and CEO, AnitaB.org) and Michelle Mikka-Van Der Stuyf (CEO, FlyTall) on the event, expectations, special announcements and learn about AnitaB.org, FlyTall and how Level Up Your Future came to bring the only event to redefine NEXT to Chicago. Learn about AnitaB.org programs, including Grace Hopper Celebration, and FlyTall initiatives with TechSavvy, NCWIT, GoGadget and more...

Moderator:  Ellen Barry, Principal, EBarry Group  Panelists: Krishna Erramilli, Assistant Dean, Stuart School of Business - Marian Cook, Principal, Slalom - Kevin Gates, Cloud Architect, Microsoft

Innovation is all around us in so many forms, and it is hard to track what is relevant. From education to future AI and from entrepreneurs to pharmaceutical it is all transferable and applicable. What is happening at the top in these companies, universities, and organizations will open your eyes to the trends to watch, the advancements to grab ahold of and the areas that will produce the most competitive advantage for you and your industry.

Pivoting To Your Next Opportunity (Track:  Position for Change)
Presenter:  Christine Stone, VP, Brookfield Properties Retail

How you can grow in your current position and place yourself on a path toward readiness for your next opportunity. Opportunities come in many forms from internal projects no one wants, to an outside vendor noticing what you did that impressed/helped their relationship with your firm. Whatever form these take they are building blocks to keep you fresh, growing and building upon your talent and experience. Learn how to recognize these opportunities and strategically assume responsibilities that will enrich your overall readiness and value for the future.  

Future Era Allies: Mentoring and Sponsorship (Track:  Lead the Way)
Moderator:  Jane Hamner, VP, Harvey Nash  Panelists: Megan McCann, CEO, McCann Partners - Avery Stone Fish, Chicago Innovation - Leslie McKinney, Director, BWISE Chicago

Allies have been around since the 13th century, originating in France and personifying uniting or combining “forces”. The concept has been around longer than we have, and taken on new labels, mentorship and sponsorship being two becoming commonplace. Each of those build on the business world needs and resources to position companies & people for success. Find out how you can leverage relationships that combine + unite talents + experience to achieve more, do it better and climb in your organization while making a difference for the future.   

Does Your Job = Title? Responsibilities = Opportunity! (Track:  Shine Bright)
Presenter: Kelly York, HERE Technologies, McDonalds (former)

Embrace change, take on that challenging project, excel at it and look for the next one to keep your appetite for adventure fed. As you evolve, change, tackle the tough jobs, shine and are recognized for your value, your job morphs and changes beneath your feet. You slow down (for a second), look up and realize you are no longer where you started, you are more! Learn how to check the odometer of your career, set checkpoints, and initiate conversations around your title, compensation and advancement opportunities within your organization, industry and team.

BI Trends: How Analytics Can Help You Diversify (Track:  Innovative Trends)
Presenter:  Kimberly Smith, Director of Business & Technology, ComEd

BI a big word, like Big Data and Clouds took the business world by storm, so does the recent elevation of Business Intelligence. What does it mean though, is it the same for everyone, how does it fit into your area, your organization, and your industry? Where does it take hold? Where does it matter? When is it enough, how do you strategically use it to grow in size & productivity? Come and look into the window of BI and analytics and find out how it might fit.   

Does the Organization Fit You? Why it Matters! (Track:  Position for Change)
Presenter:  Sharan Hildebrand, VP Strategic Alliances, Hitachi Group, in a Fireside chat with Mari Jo Calacci, Director, KPMG

Everyone talks about culture, organizational fit and team dynamics, but what does all of that really mean to you? Does it really matter as much as people say it does, do you always need to adapt or can you be the proponent for change yourself, the one who stands out and brings in fresh perspectives? Yes and Yes. Find out how to determine what the organizational fit can do for your success. If the organizational mission is amazing but the culture is holding them back, perhaps your inputs can change that for the better. Other times a fit to the team makes sense. There is no one size fits all here, come find out why!

Determining Your Net Career Worth AND Asking For It!   (Track:  Lead the Way)
Presenter:  Steve Adelstein, CEO, Trillium Solutions Group

Well you know you do more now than you did a year ago, you know your role has changed, and you know that you now are worth more. You may be frustrated that your management hasn't recognized and reconciled this, you know you need to go to them and ask for your promotion, your salary increase, or your next line of opportunities. Don't let the gap grow, learn how to formulate the details in a way that makes it hard to debate and say No. Set yourself up to negotiate and get paid what you are worth so that you can focus on doing more, being more and feeling like a valued member of the team.

Balance & Ambition: How To Tip The Scales AND Keep Them Balanced  (Track:  Shine Bright)
Presenter: Carrie Ruetschlin, Faculty, Governors State University

We all know those few people who seem to have an endless supply of drive and initiative, and we shake our heads and exclaim "I just don't know how they do that all the time." Enter stage left, balance, do drive and ambition fit into those seeking balance with family, career and industry? Yes, it can, and how you utilize the mix can make all the difference. Is it possible to have it all, or do you always need to give something up to get something else? Is sacrifice more of this equation, or is it deferred gratification and sensible prioritizing of timelines with opportunities and vision. Come find out!

Healthcare 2020: Technology + Wellness  (Track:  Innovative Trends)
Presenters: Dima Elissa, CEO and Founder, VisMed 3D - Jim Anfield, Principal, Aptitive

Technology is breaking into medical as well as other industries, in various ways. From personal smart phone devices to medical delivery systems to innovations that are taking the inconvenience out of staying healthy and mobilizing those who have life-disrupting medical maintenance needs. From insulin delivery and glucose checks, to blood pressure, heart rate and physical activity, to hospitals who are automating pharmaceutical and monitoring delivery to increase safety and wellness, the future of healthcare is rapidly evolving.

Enjoy lunch, networking and visits to our partner showcase.  Many organizations with solutions, resources, educational opportunities and more will be on hand talking about how to tool your kit with the items you need for success.

Moderator:  Scott Kitun, CEO, Technori  Panelists: Laurie Swanson, Founder, InspiHER Tech - Sandra Edwards, President, WheelzOnTime - Brenda Dunn Kinney, CEO, BDK & Associates

In today's world change is a constant more than ever. Although change is never easy, it is necessary and this panel of experts will give you a perspective on how to embrace changes and use them as your strategic advantage and propellant for your career growth, personal attainment and professional advancement.

Actively Plan Your Path For The Future!  (Track:  Position for Change)
Presenter: Pete Kippes, CEO, Hegemony Consulting Group

We have all been in the job-seeker seat, actively pursuing and combing the internet, job sites, company career pages and more looking for our next gig. Did you know your next move can be right where you are too! Many think the only way to advance is to jump from one ship to another, not so, you can be in the 2020 year and use what works in the right company to plan your next role, your next project and your path to more responsibility, compensation and rewarding challenges.

Effective Communication During Frustration  (Track:  Lead the Way)
Presenter: Jim Vaselopulos, Principal, Rafti Advisors

Even in the best of environments, many find communication to be challenging. However, in many organization the office politics create a culture where it is a daily grind, barrier and hurdle to success and productivity. You can be the change and lead the way through example by learning how to effectively communicate during frustrating times and in a climate heavily polluted by office politics. Learn how to turn "lemons in lemonade" and build a community around your positivity!

Focused Growth Through Education  (Track:  Shine Bright)
Moderator: Michelle Mikka-Van Der Stuyf, CEO, FlyTall   Panelists: Manu Vora, President, Business Excellence - Nik Rokop, Faculty, Illinois Tech - Antigone Sharris, Faculty/Director, Triton College - Sandee Kastrul, President, i.c. Stars

Many of us attended universities and earned degrees in a pure discipline, with the general education foundation required by most of the 4-year academic world. The times are changing, the recognition and value placed on applied and focused education is on the rise and relating your knowledge growth directly to your professional aspirations is a great way to accelerate your growth in business and life. Why is it so different? What does it mean? How does it work? Where can you find these new creative and highly effective programs being offered? The list grows daily, come learn more.

Tools to Add Value to Your Organization  (Track:  Innovative Trends)
Presenter: Kevin Gates, Cloud Architect, Microsoft

Are you someone who truly loves where you work, who you work with, the industry and role you play in the organization but feel like you can be and do more? You are not alone, many know there is more to do, and know there are ways to get it done, but need resources, expertise and advise to get over the speed bump. You don't know what you don't know but you DO know what you want to accomplish. Come to this workshop with the bag of business goals you have and need some DIY advice on, which tools do you need, what resources will help get you there, how can you get it to the next level?

Marketing & Customer Focus  (Track:  Position for Change)
Presenter: Leslie Vickrey, CEO, ClearEdge Marketing

Marketing for some can be a stressful topic and despite our knowing that it is necessary we don't think we have the skills or it is out of our wheelhouse. Well "marketing" comes in many forms, and the biggest one is "customer focus" so let us help you shift your perspective on marketing and sales, and share with you how this is really a component of everyone's job. With the rise of design thinking and customer empathy, anyone who works with a potential customer is contributing to the fabric of marketing in an organization. You will be enlightened by what you learn and inspired to apply it as soon as you can.

Success Stories From Innovators  (Track:  Lead the Way)
Presenter: Chicago Innovation & Molex

A lot can be learned and found to help you in your everyday path, that next project or the next 1-3 year plan from the success stories being shared in this workshop. The stories will surprise and amaze you as will the way they came to be in existence, gain focus and become adopted into action plans that blossomed into new successful products, companies and people.

Communication with Intent : Your Words, Your Outcomes   (Track:  Shine Bright) ***Substitution for Need More than 24 hrs a day
Presenter: Tami Palmer, Founder, greyZone

When we’re not careful with our word choices, tone and control of our story, we can find ourselves in a field peppered with communication landmines. Whether it’s making assumptions, oversharing with too much backstory, or believing that a wish will be understood as an ask, we are often confounded by the lack of positive results from our communications. Bringing awareness to the importance of word choice, tone and controlling our stories all go a long way to getting the outcomes we desire: be that a promotion, an overseas assignment or a coveted project. Key takeaways include: How to edit emails and verbal communication to limit apologies and be more efficient, test your assumptions, understand how backstory waters down your ask, gaving the courage to ask leads to credibility and effective results, power tips for outstanding communication that saves valuable time and provides focus.

Top Trends to Watch & Utilize  (Track:  Innovative Trends)
Presenter: Laszlo Gonc, Co-founder, NextEra Transformation Group

So many top trends it is hard to believe we will hit on some of the most popular and still cross-over naturally to the ones you are most interested & impacted by. We are all hearing about cybersecurity, blockchain and AI so much that it may be becoming an overplayed record. Come to this future facing but paired down session to find out the basics and see which trends apply to you, what you can or need to do about them, and how to go about gaining more resources and knowledge on next steps particular to your industry/organization's needs.

You won't want to miss our surprise keynote speaker.  Originally from IL this powerhouse will close out a fabulous day with thought-provoking, eye-opening and informative information on the beyond now, the true NEXT.

Join us to network, share information with other attendees, meet the speakers, sponsors and Illinois Institute of Technology Stuart School of Business team while you create connections that will enhance your professional network.