2025 Kansas City Speakers and Special Guests

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2025 Keynotes & Special Guests: 

KEYNOTE

Cyndi Swall
Keynote

Angie Lickliter
Comedian

Janell Banks
EMCEE

Lonita Cook
GODDESS

Dr Cheryl Cooper

KEYNOTE

Cyndi Swall

Cyndi Swall is a transformational Speaker, Author, Executive Coach, successful Entrepreneur and Founder of Bliss Camp Retreats. Cyndi is highly requested for her insightful application of the happiness principles and her tactical, yet light-hearted approach to life and leadership. She has a proven track record of facilitating deep transformation, specializing in the needs of women in the workplace. Before all that, she is a woman, a mom, a lover, a friend, body, mind and soul…and all the things that come with that. That’s important because she coaches from that place: real world, kinda messy, super caffeinated problem solving in the wild!

Keynote

Angie Lickliter

Angie Lickliter is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and fierce advocate for holistic healing. After claiming victory over a decades-long battle with Crohn’s Disease—what she calls her “Gut Monster”—Angie made it her mission to empower others to take control of their health and design the life of their dreams. She holds certifications in Holistic Gut Health and Cannabis Coaching. This passion led to the creation of her transformative “Gut Girl Coaching” program.

In her book Finding Her, Angie takes readers on a raw and inspiring journey through the “monsters” that once held her back, offering powerful insights, personal stories, and practical tools for healing and self-discovery. Writing her story brought profound healing; now she’s helping other women do the same. Her newest venture, Finding Her & The Write to Heal Project, guides women through the power of journaling—with words that release, wellness that restores, and a gut you can trust.

Angie is also a public speaker and podcast guest, sharing her story and insights to inspire audiences to take bold steps toward becoming warriors in their battles. When she’s not writing or coaching, Angie enjoys yoga, hiking, pickleball, traveling in her RV (affectionately named Dora), and spending time with her husband and family.

Comedian

Janell Banks

Janell Banks is a Kansas City-based, internationally touring comedian known for her quick wit, bold stage presence, and hilarious auntie energy. She’s currently opening for Pinky Patel on the “I Said What I Said” tour and has been seen in The Color Purple (KC). Whether she’s cracking up crowds across the country or dropping gems on stage, Janell always delivers laughs that linger.

EMCEE

Lonita Cook

“Cheering on midlife dreamers to shine in storytelling + life.”

I’m a creative producer & film critic cheering on your dreams. At LoveLonita.com, I share reviews, resources & confidence boosts for midlife storytellers. You’ve seen my work on Hello Iowa, KCPBS & KCTV5—come hang out @lovelonita + YouTube (lonitacook1221)

GODDESS

Dr Cheryl Cooper

Dr. Cheryl Cooper a visionary United States Navy Veteran, global cybersecurity leader, bestselling author, and architect of agency, has spent her career transforming security, leadership, and visibility into forces for change. Creator of Breaking the Code, Becoming Seen, and The SEEN Method, she equips women in STEM and leadership to rise, lead, and build legacies that outlast titles.

With nearly three decades of impact, including service as an Information Security Officer for T‑Mobile and as International President of Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) KC, Dr. Cooper is celebrated for her ability to see the future of leadership and inclusion, and mobilize others toward it. In 2025, she released Breaking the Code: Winning Strategies for Women in Cybersecurity & Tech, offering a blueprint for women to navigate and thrive in an evolving digital landscape. She also hosts the podcast: Ctrl+Alt+Em‑Power, exploring the intersections of cyber resilience and diverse perspectives.  She is the only two‑time recipient of the Midwest Central Exchange STEMMy Awards for Groundbreaking Leadership and Women’s Champion in STEM, and the ABWA Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Keeping the Dream Alive in education and community service.

Her work embodies the vision and action at the heart of the She’s Local Kansas City Goddess Award: anticipating change, inspiring others to believe bigger, and creating pathways for the next generation of leaders.

Dr. Cheryl Cooper, GRC Executive| President Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Kansas City| Author  

Tedx Speaker, https://drcherylcooper.com/tedx/

Website: www.drcherylcooper.com

WiCYS Website:https://wicyskcmetroplex.org/

Subscribe to email: https://drcherylcooper.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/email-icon.png

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcherylcooper/

2025 Panels

Breaking the Balance Myth: Women Redefining Work and Well-being

Description:

What if “having it all” isn’t a myth—but a matter of redefining what it means to thrive?

In this empowering conversation, women leaders challenge the outdated notion that personal well-being and professional ambition are mutually exclusive. Together, they’ll explore how success can be self-defined—rooted in clarity, boundaries, and community—not burnout.

Through real stories and research-backed strategies, this panel will dive into how to intentionally design your work-life rhythm, build meaningful support systems, and embrace the power of saying no to what doesn’t serve you. Whether you’re leading a team, a company, or your own path forward, you’ll leave with practical insights to help you lead with purpose, protect your energy, and own your version of success—with no apologies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Reject the idea that you can’t have it all and embrace the notion that well-being includes redefining success, building support networks, and owning your journey
  • Optimize Your Work-Life Design – Learn how to apply research-backed strategies to structure your work and routines in a way that supports well-being.
  • Setting boundaries is not a weakness—it’s a leadership skill. The power of saying no is in recognizing your worth, protecting your energy, and choosing what aligns with your values.

Panel Coordinator: Nishia Dennis

Panelists: 

From Self-Doubt to Self-Trust: Intuitive Decision Making Through Embodiment, Nutrition and Mental Health

DESCRIPTION:  Do you struggle with indecision, self-doubt or second guessing yourself? Join us for a discussion on how the mind-body connection influences eating behaviors, decision making and overall wellbeing. The session will highlight embodiment practices, nutrition, intuitive eating and confident decision making to a more compassionate, grounded approach. It’s time to stop doubting and start trusting yourself. You already have everything you need within you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Embodiment as a tool for listening to your inner wisdom
  • Trusting your body with food through intuitive eating
  • Learning to prioritize your values and time management skills

Panelists: 

Your Path, Your Voice: How Self-Advocacy Creates Living in Alignment

Description: This empowering panel brings together women who have navigated personal and professional advocacy journeys, sharing the tips, tricks and lessons that helped them rise! Discover how to advocate for your worth, wellness and voice and learn to trust your gut as you boldly own your journey!

Key Takeaways:

  • Empower Women to Advocate for Their Worth, Wellness and Voice.
  • Tips and tricks that helped us on our advocacy journey
  • Learning to trust your gut and speak your truth

Panelists: 

Redefining Leadership: Lead Boldly, Lead Authentically

Description: Leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about the influence you have, the integrity you bring, and the way you lift others as you rise. Join this inspiring panel of women who are redefining what leadership looks like in business and community. Hear their stories, take away practical strategies, and leave empowered to lead as your true self. Walk away ready to show up, be heard, and lead on your terms—without losing yourself in the process.

Key Takeaways:

  • Influence Over Title: Discover how your voice and actions create real impact, no matter your role
  • Lead with Heart: Harness empathy and integrity to guide your decisions and inspire your teams
  • Amplify Your Style: Celebrate diverse leadership approaches and own the way you lead

Panel Coordinator: Sherri Lockridge

Panelists: 

Pivoting is Inevitable: Leveraging Authenticity to Build Success

DESCRIPTION: Women are master jugglers. Family, career and community all demand our attention and effort. Whether by choice or by crisis, we all have to change course, maybe more than once. When the path changes unexpectedly, how do you position yourself for a quick recovery? This panel focuses on clearing your mind, connecting with others and charting your future successes with power and confidence

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Reveal how betting on yourself fuels your message and your success.
  • Discover how authoring your personal story with the audience as the hero naturally draws people into your community.
  • Explore strategies for leveraging social media to build a compelling brand and long-term loyalty.

PANEL COODINATOR: Devon Plumber

PANELISTS: 

Glow & Grow: Women Leading the Future of Holistic Wellness

Description: True wellness shines from within. This inspiring panel brings together women-owned businesses specializing in hormones, aesthetics, and yoga to explore how balance, beauty, and mindful practices can transform women’s health. Together, these experts are redefining what it means to feel vibrant, confident, and empowered—inside and out. You’ll leave with practical tools, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to prioritize your well-being in every season of life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hormone Health Made Simple – Learn how hormone balance impacts energy, mood, sleep, and overall well-being, plus practical steps to support your body naturally.
  • Beauty with Purpose – Explore how modern aesthetics can go beyond appearance, helping women feel confident and aligned in their skin—inside and out.
  • Movement as Medicine – Discover how yoga and mindful movement can regulate stress, improve strength, and create harmony in the body and mind.
  • Whole-Person Wellness – Understand how blending medical expertise, holistic practices, and self-care creates lasting results for women at every stage of life.

Panel Coordinator: Niki Staab

Panelists: 

Authenticity is Your Superpower: Where Confidence and Clarity Meet Strategy

Description: This session brings together three dynamic voices to help you move from self-discovery to bold action. You’ll hear insights on showing up with confidence on camera, at work, or in personal relationships, and how that translates into stronger connections. You’ll gain strategies to uncover your strengths, build structure, and shape a personal or organizational brand rooted in what you do best. And finally, you’ll learn how to take that confidence and clarity into the digital space, applying bold social media and branding strategies to expand your impact.

You’ll leave this session with practical tools to find your strengths, be your authentic self, and do the work that elevates your brand and your business. Finding. Being. Doing.

Key Takeaways:

  • Finding – Discover strategies for identifying your strengths and uncovering what you do best, both as an individual and within your organization.
  • Being – Learn how to show up as your authentic self with confidence, courage, and practical tips to bring that authenticity into every space.
  • Doing – Explore how to take your strengths and authenticity and translate them into bold, actionable strategies for personal branding, business growth, and social media.

Panel Coordinator: Tess Koppelman

Panelists: 

Living Your Life with Purpose, Power, and Possibility

Description:

Your purpose isn’t a fixed destination, but a fluid creation.

Join our dynamic panel of coaches for a powerful discussion on the creative power that comes from connecting with what truly lights you up and explore how to align your choices and actions with the life you want to live going forward.

We are each engaged in our own unique journey of transformation and together we will explore what it looks like to unapologetically shed limiting beliefs, embrace change as an act of creation, and walk away with the clarity and courage to forge a purpose that is authentically your own.

Key Takeaways

·       Understanding purpose as something you actively create throughout your life.
·       Seeing change as an exciting opportunity to shape your life and align your actions with what you truly want.

·       Discovering ways to shed old beliefs and begin to write a new narrative for your life.

Panelists: 

The Confidence Con: How We Ditched Self-Doubt and Built Businesses That Speak for Themselves

Description:

Key Takeaways:

·       Feeling Liberated – learn why it’s ok to be empowered in taking “imperfect” action
·       Feeling Proud – you have a unique journey and your story is YOUR story

·       Feeling relieved – use our practical skills to reframe self-doubt

Panel Coordinator: Sharon Forni

Panelists: 

Strong Enough to Be Real: Redefining Power and Boundaries

Description:
What happens when women trade balance for authenticity, comparison for courage, and pressure for self-compassion.

We’ve been told to chase balance, to hold it all together, and to always have the answers. But balance is a myth, comparison is a trap, and we can’t pour from an empty cup. What if the key to thriving isn’t doing more — it’s knowing when to pause, when to let go, and when to lean on your own intuition and strengths?

In this raw and inspiring conversation, three women will share the unfiltered truths behind their journeys — including stories of boundaries, burnout, breakthroughs, and the grace it takes to rise again. You’ll leave with practical tools, fresh perspective, and the courage to rewrite your own rules.

Key Takeaways:

·       The Power of “No” – How to decide what to stop doing, set boundaries that stick, and release the guilt.
·       Grit Meets Grace – Learn why self-compassion and intuition are not soft skills, but superpowers for resilience and impact.

·       Rewrite the Rules – Walk away with a new framework to thrive: forget balance, embrace authenticity; less comparison, more courage.

Panel Coordinator: Shawnna Murrell

Panelists: