Be sure to arrive early and check in before 8:15am, where we'll begin with welcoming remarks and introductions from the Kirkwood Corporate Training team.

One day you’re part of the team, the next, you’re in charge of performance, navigating hard conversations, setting expectations, and figuring out how to lead people who used to be your buddies. It’s one of the toughest leadership shifts out there, and chances are, you don’t feel totally 100% ready for it.

There’s no need to fake it till you make it. What’s needed are practical strategies, tools that actually work, and a space to try them out—without the pressure to have it all figured out.

Let’s get you from “I hope I’m doing this right” to “I’ve got this."

Speaker Bio

Brittany Titcomb is a certified coach, trainer, and facilitator who helps new and emerging leaders communicate clearly, lead confidently, and turn leadership insight into action. She spent most of her career in the manufacturing industry, where she experienced firsthand the pressure new leaders face when they are expected to get results, earn trust, and lead people well. She holds an MBA and is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC), ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), holds an Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and is certified in DISC, Motivators, and the Energy Leadership Index (ELI).

Today’s workplace brings together multiple generations, each shaped by distinct cultural, economic, and technological influences that impact how they communicate, collaborate, and define success. This engaging continuing education course explores the characteristics, values, and work styles of key generational groups, including Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z.

Participants will gain practical insight into how generational perspectives influence workplace expectations, leadership styles, communication preferences, and approaches to work-life balance.

Speaker Bio

Destiny Hastings is a dynamic workforce development leader with a passion for connecting talent to purpose-driven careers. As the Director of Business Services at ASAE, Destiny leads strategic initiatives that connect associations with high-impact business solutions and talent pipelines. She currently manages Association CareerHQ (ACHQ), ASAE’s career center, overseeing job board strategy, employer engagement and career resources tailored to the association sector.

Destiny holds a Doctor of Education, Leadership degree, and an MBA, and is committed to advancing equitable access to meaningful careers through innovative workforce strategies.

Organizations rely on business intelligence and analytics to transform data into meaningful insights and make informed decisions. This mini-session will explore how dashboards, reports, and data visualization help identify trends, measure performance, and uncover opportunities. Participants will also learn how emerging AI capabilities are enhancing not replacing traditional analytics by making it easier to explore data, recognize patterns, and communicate insights.

Speaker Bio

Shannon Lynch is the founder of The Power BI Coach, a business intelligence consultant, corporate trainer, and Microsoft Certified Trainer. He specializes in helping organizations transform complex data into meaningful insights using Microsoft Power BI and modern analytics solutions.

With extensive experience in business intelligence, data visualization, and analytics training, Shannon makes technical concepts practical and accessible for professionals at all skill levels. His work focuses on improving data literacy, developing effective reporting solutions, and helping individuals and organizations make informed, data-driven decisions

Don't worry, HR would approve this session.

The most damaging four-letter words in the workplace aren't the ones you're thinking of. Words that are seemingly harmless quietly reveal the narratives that shape how we lead, communicate, coach employees, present ideas, and influence others. Left unchecked, they can diminish executive presence, weaken professional credibility, and limit our ability to build trust, develop others, and drive performance.

In this engaging and interactive session, leadership consultant Andrea McNamara Singsaas uncovers the hidden stories behind our everyday language and provides practical strategies to replace limiting narratives with intentional leadership behaviors. Participants will leave with simple, immediately applicable tools to strengthen executive presence, elevate professional communication, improve coaching and mentoring conversations, and increase employee engagement and performance.

Speaker Bio

Andrea Singsaas is an executive coach, leadership development consultant, and international keynote speaker known for her direct, results-driven approach to leadership. An Iowa native who travels the world to serve her clients, she is the founder of The Tyne Group, where she has spent a decade helping leaders and founders push past the $5M, $10M, and $20M revenue plateaus that stall growth. With a background in international consulting, project management, and organizational leadership, Andrea has coached civilian and military-connected leaders from Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and fast-growth private firms.

Andrea holds an MBA, multiple leadership certifications, and credentials as an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Project Management Professional (PMP), and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in Organizational Leadership.

Ever wonder what people decide about you before you even finish your first sentence?

Join us for Powerful First Impressions - a fun, engaging workshop about the science of first impressions. 

Attendees will walk away with simple, practical tools to make their first impression intentional. 

Speaker Bio

Sarah Hermanson is an entrepreneur, farmer, and trusted HR consultant, bringing brings over 30 years of experience helping Iowa businesses thrive. As the founder of One Above HR, Sarah partners with organizations to strengthen their people practices, develop leaders, and build healthy workplace cultures. Sarah provides customized training and coaching on topics such as leadership development, advanced communication skills, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, Working Genius, navigating difficult conversations, and developing executive presence.

In this session, Bolu will share practical strategies for identifying hidden hair-related hazards and incorporating hair protection into workplace safety programs.

Speaker Bio

Boluwarin Ojo is an industrial designer, workplace safety advocate, and founder of SparkDefy. Inspired by firsthand experience working in a welding shop, she focuses on advancing awareness of occupational hair protection, scalp health, and inclusive PPE through worker research, product development, and industry education.

We'll wrap up the showcase and provide time for additional networking.