These last 12 months have made us all pause, and to perhaps step off our path to reassess and reset our compass. National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and Keynote Speaker, Jennifer Pharr Davis will be our guide as we zero in on embracing the power and freedom that comes from naming your vision and claiming your direction. And sometimes that means, getting outside. When you get outside, whether it’s for a walk, run, hike or on a paddleboard, on a bike or simply with bare feet on the grass, nature is there to greet you, to help clear your mind and reset your day. Just $75 for a full-access virtual pass. $30 for students. When it comes to business, there are other ways to think about getting outside, too.
- As part of your compass reset, do you need to get outside of your business plan and rethink your company’s mission?
- What about getting outside of your marketing strategy or distribution channel to better serve your customers?
- If you work for someone else, do you need to get outside your current job description and start a new project or bring a new idea to your company?
- Do you need to get outside of your own head with a fresh outlook and a more positive framework?
Prepare to be inspired and come away with new ways to look at your business and career. Jennifer will be joined by South Dakota-based businesswomen sharing their own stories of how they pivoted and reset their own compasses during the last year. Networking opportunities, conference pack, door prizes and more!
For those of you who have already purchased a ticket for the original conference scheduled for March 26, 2020, please click here to let us know that you are coming and for more information about your ticket. We are excited to see you virtually on March 25!
Already have your ticket? Check your email for your login and bonus options!
Interested in being a sponsor for this event and supporting women entrepreneurs, contact SD CEO Women’s Business Center Director, Michelle Kane at michelle.kane@bhsu.edu
Virtual Women’s Business Conference:
Define Your Path
Thursday, March 25, 2021
*all times are CT
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
Michelle Kane, Director, SD CEO
9:15 a.m. Defining Your Path
In a world that wants women to do everything well, it is imperative that we discover a narrow path where we can excel. We can define these individual pathways through personal and professional exploration, setting boundaries and communicating clearly, and by choosing habits of change over struggles of control. Learn to embrace the power–and freedom-that comes from naming your vision and claiming your direction.
Jennifer Pharr Davis, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year
10:15 a.m. Northern State University & Dakota Dreamers Foundation
10:25 a.m. Rising Again - Reinvention and Recovery during the Pandemic
Jennifer Pharr Davis will guide us in a panel discussion with local businesswomen in the community as they share their stories of pivots, adaptability, and resilience during the age of COVID-19. Joining Jennifer from the business community:
-Deb Docken, Vice President, WM Regional Managing Director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, Sioux Falls
-Carly Pochop, Owner, Colorful Creations, Aberdeen
-Kimberly Dorsett, Partner, Richardson Law Firm, Aberdeen
11:00 a.m. Kim Bot, Halo Branded Solutions & Presentation Sisters
11:10 a.m. Sponsor Recognition
Join us in the recognition of businesses, organizations and individuals supporting female entrepreneurs and working women across South Dakota!
11:25 a.m. The Next Step
Sometimes in order to move forward professionally, it helps to take a literal first step. Our physical wellbeing is linked to our professional output as well as our emotional and mental health. This closing session will lead us with questions to consider concerning direction, packing, and recovery that we can reflect on as we leave the virtual conference and take a walk outside.
Jennifer Pharr Davis, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year
11:40 a.m. Door Prizes and Closing
BONUS Post-Event:
Connect and Network Women’s Business Conference
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
5:00 p.m. Get Outside of your Comfort Zone - Zoom Networking Event!
Sometimes it takes courage to step out of your comfort zone and meet some new people. Extend the conference and join us for a fun and structured networking Zoom event and grow your network and meet conference attendees from across the state!
BONUS Post-Event:
Connect and Network Women’s Business Conference
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
5:00 p.m. Start your summer off right with some motivation and encouragement to Get Outside this summer!
Here’s another great chance to reconnect with other conference attendees join keynote speaker Jennifer Pharr Davis for starting your summer off strong.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker
National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Jennifer Pharr Davis is a lover of long trails and good stories. As a record-breaking long-distance hiker, she has covered over 14,000 miles on every continent but Antarctica. In 2011, she hiked 47 miles a day for 46 straight days to become the first women to set the "Fastest Known Time (FKT)" on the Appalachian Trail.
She also backpacked 550 miles while pregnant with her daughter and hiked 1,200 miles while nursing her son. Her story and her life are one of perseverance and commitment.
At age 24, Jennifer founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company in North Carolina to make trails accessible to hikers of all ages, genders, and ability levels. Her company is 11 years old, includes two locations, and takes over 1,500 people on hikes each year. Jennifer has authored seven books and written articles for the New York Times, Running Times and National Parks Traveler. Jennifer lives in Asheville, NC with her husband Brew, their daughter Charley and son Gus.
Through three dynamic sessions, Jennifer will weave together her trials on the trail and what she has learned along the way of her many adventures. Attendees will be empowered and inspired and leave with a new toolbox of ideas to take back to their workplace or business.
Keynote Topics
Defining the Path
In a world that wants women to do everything well, it is imperative that we discover a narrow path where we can excel. We can define these individual pathways through personal and professional exploration, setting boundaries and communicating clearly, and by choosing habits of change over struggles of control. Learn to embrace the power–and freedom-that comes from naming your vision and claiming your direction.
Rising Again - Reinvention and Recovery during the Pandemic
Jennifer Pharr Davis will guide us in a panel discussion with local businesswomen in the community as they share their stories of pivots, adaptability, and resilience during the age of COVID-19. Joining Jennifer from the business community:
- Deb Docken, Vice President, WM Regional Managing Director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, Sioux Falls
- Carly Pochop, Owner, Colorful Creations, Aberdeen
- Kimberly Dorsett, Partner, Richardson Law Firm, Aberdeen
The Next Step
Sometimes in order to move forward professionally, it helps to take a literal first step. Our physical wellbeing is linked to our professional output as well as our emotional and mental health. This closing session will lead us with questions to consider concerning direction, packing, and recovery that we can reflect on as we leave the virtual conference and take a walk outside.
Learn more about Jennifer’s books, company, and her story.
Get to know Jennifer Pharr Davis!
Please be sure to visit and thank our exhibitors!
Take a sneak peek at the Women’s Business Conference: Define Your Path interactive conference booklet!
Here you can see the event agenda (don’t miss the bonus follow-up sessions!), learn more about our speaker and guide, Jennifer Pharr Davis, meet South Dakota women making a difference, get to know our conference sponsors (be sure to thank them!), and note pages to get you excited about what’s next. Everyone who registers will also receive a hard copy of the conference booklet and a copy of Dakota Dreams: Women's Stories of Passion & Perseverance by Karen Pearson, generously donated by the Dakota Dreamers Foundation in the mail.
Digital Conference Booklet
