2024 Conference Schedule and Agenda

Monday, November 18, 2024

5-6:30 PM

VIP Reception | Bardea Food and Drink
620 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

9:00-9:30 AM
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​9:30-9:45 AM

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​9:45-10:30 AM


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​10:45-11:25 AM


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​11:25-11:45 AM
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​11:45-12:00 PM

12:00-1:00 PM



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1:00-1:30 PM
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1:45-2:45 PM











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​2:45 - 4:00 PM

Breakfast & Networking
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Welcome Remarks
*Opening Remarks - Welcome Video by Lisa Blunt Rochester, Congresswoman
*Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, Executive State Director of the Miss Delaware USA & Miss Delaware Teen USA Pageant and owner of V&M Bistro, introducing Kayla Kosmalski, Miss Delaware Teen USA 2024 for Welcome remarks
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Empowering Women: Raising the Stakes on Your Leadership Journey 

• Martha Hoover, Founder Won't Stop Hospitality, Inc.
• Erika Cospy Carr, VP Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance
• Chrissi Rawak Director of Athletics, Campus & Community Recreation, University of Delaware

Facilitator: Carrie Leishman, President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association
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Flip the odds: Harnessing Poker Tactics to Master Life Skills
Keynote | Firechat

• Jenny Just, Co-founder and Managing Partner, PEAK6 MOTHER / FOUNDER / INVESTOR / BUSINESS TRANSFORMER / POKER PLAYER / SELF-MADE BILLIONAIRE

Facilitator: Carrie Leishman, President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association

​Poker 101 Presentation
Poker Power Team
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​Break
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Breakout Session #1 (Choose 1 of 3)

1- Poker Power:  Take a seat at every table (limited seating) 
Poker Power Team

2- Women, Wealth and Psychology of Money: Empowering Financial Independence
Kate Duffy, Senior Financial Advisor, Bryn Mawr Trust/WSFS Bank

3- Mentors / Coaches / Allies / Sponsors - What are they? How are they different? Do you need one?

• ​Anita Murphy, District Superintendent (Retired) | Executive Coach/ Leadership and Strategy Consultant
• Hope Lopez. CEO of Blue Mezcal Group
• Xavier Teixido, Harry’s Hospitality Group

Facilitator: Meghan Gardner, Diretor Delaware Restaurant Foundation
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Lunch

​Breakout Session #2 (Choose 1 of 3)

1- Poker Power:  Take a seat at every table (limited seating)
Poker Power Team

​2- Disruptive Leadership: Cutting through the bullshit to get things done!

• Nicole Poore. State Senator
• ​Naijha Wright-Brown from “The Land of Kush” 
• Martha Hoover, Founder Won't Stop Hospitality, Inc.

Facilitator: Katie Kutler, kaffeKarma.

​3- Stay calm under pressure:  Secrets from female law enforcement

• ​Colonel Melissa Zebley, Delaware State Police
• Major Laura O’Sullivan, New Castle County Police Department

Facilitator: Lori Liguori, High 5 Hospitality Group
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Cocktail Hour / Networking  
Music by Kerry Hallett

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