Day One: Tuesday, July 27, 2021
The Hero’s Journey: Act One
- Departure/Prologue – the initial preparation for the journey
- Call to Adventure – a powerful event sets the journey in motion
- Resistance – the refusal to change what keeps you stuck
- Meeting the Mentor – Overcoming reluctance by getting help of the teacher and learn new things
11:30 A.M. Registration
12:00 P.M. Welcome and Introductions
Michelle Kane, Director, SD CEO West Women’s Business Center
Departure/Prologue – the initial preparation for the journey: In which we meet our Hero.
The journey has yet to start. Before our Hero (yes, YOU!) discovers a strange new world, we must first understand the status quo: what which was before the ordinary, mundane reality and what is to come.
12:30 P.M. Lunch & Networking at The Barn
1:15 P.M. The Coming Storm: Transformation does not happen by accident.
Dr. Rachel MK Headley & Meg Kokesh McNeese, Rose Group Int’l
Transformation might feel chaotic and uncertain, but it’s actually a predictable path of pressure and ease, resistance and vision, that everyone must travel. 1
1:45 P.M. Our Adventure Starts: Speed Networking
Julie Hinker, Program Coordinator, SD CEO West Women’s Business Center
A powerful event sets the journey in motion: In which an adventure starts. The call to adventure is all about booting us out of our comfort zone. In this stage, we may be confronted with a problem or challenge we can't ignore. This catalyst can take many forms. The stakes of the adventure and the our goals become clear. The only question: will we rise to the challenge?
2:30 P.M. Change is Inevitable, Growth is Optional – Journaling Break
Michelle Kane, Director, SD CEO Women’s Business Center
3:00 P.M. Meeting the Mentor: You don’t have to do it alone.
Dr. Rachel MK Headley & Meg Kokesh McNeese, Rose Group Int’l
Resistance – the refusal to change what keeps you stuck: In which the Hero digs in their feet.
Your adventure has started and you are ready to move forward. Wait, not so fast! The Hero (remember, this is YOU!) might may be wary of accepting the call to action. We know change is coming but how do we better understand what we bring to the table and how can we meet the right people along the way?
Understanding yourself, how you interact with others, showing up intentionally is what it’s about. Knowing ourselves, valuing our tribe and identifying those around us that may help mentor and guide us along the way.
4:30 P.M. Next Steps/ Closing
Michelle Kane, Director, SD CEO West Women’s Business Center
4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Women In Leadership Mixer
Join the 2021 Women In Leadership Class, speakers, sponsors and Women In Leadership Alumni for a casual get together at the beautiful patio at The Barn at Aspen Acres!
Day Two: Wednesday, July 28, 2021
The Hero’s Journey: Act Two
- Initiation – the moment arrives to test yourself – the first challenge
- Crossing the First Threshold – Committing to change and celebrating success
- Grounding – Inner preparation for the next step in the journey
- Reward – Consequences of the attempt to change – turns the wheel of fortune
- Dagger – Cut the cord and sense of urgency in the darkest hour
8:30 A.M. Morning Mixer
Join us for some casual conversation before Women In Leadership begins
9:00 A.M. Crossing the First Threshold (Part 1): Committing to Change
Dr. Rachel MK Headley & Meg Kokesh McNeese, Rose Group Int’l
In order to move through change, you must be motivated by a future you can see and believe in. This can be a particularly difficult challenge for those that prefer stability. We will discuss how to create a future vision that will underpin your desire to move forward and will anchor you in times of uncertainty.
10:15 A.M. Morning Break
10:30 A.M. Tests, Allies, and Enemies: Guiding others through the chaos.
Dr. Rachel MK Headley & Meg Kokesh McNeese, Rose Group Int’l
Crossing the First Threshold (Part 2) – Experimenting with Change
Leadership is hard because working with people is hard. We will discuss conflict and strategies how to deal with difficult people unlike ourselves (or sometimes) those very similar to ourselves. We will provide a framework that allows for productive conversations that will engage the people around us and lead them through to a stronger, more resilient future.
12:00 P.M. Lunch & Networking at The Barn
1:00 P.M. Preparing for Change – Doing the Prep Work for your Personal Brand
Stephanie Dowling, Director of Strategic Communications, Brand Management and Public Relations, Black Hills Energy
Grounding – Inner preparation for the next step in the journey: In which the Hero gets closer to her goal.
This isn’t a physical cave. Instead, the “inmost cave” refers to the most dangerous spot in the other realm — whether that’s the villain’s chambers, the lair of the fearsome dragon, or the Death Star. Almost always, it is where the ultimate goal of the quest is located.
The baseline: who we are and how we project ourselves sometimes involved deciding on what we want to get rid of and what we are going to keep.
2:45 P.M. Staying on the Path in the Eye of the Storm – Journaling Break
Michelle Kane, Director, SD CEO Women’s Business Center
3:15 P.M. The Ordeal: Letting Go
Dr. Rachel MK Headley & Meg Kokesh McNeese, Rose Group Int’l
Taking Action: In which the Hero realizes that the time to change is NOW.
The moment when someone finally lets go is when that person can truly start looking ahead, seeing opportunity instead of resistance. How can we help ourselves and others truly let go?
Change management – what does this mean in the workplace? How do we lead through change? How does our Hero (hello!) start the conversation of change, move it forward and stay the course?
4:30 P.M. Next Steps/Closing
Michelle Kane, Director, SD CEO West Women’s Business Center
Day Three: Thursday, July 29, 2021
The Hero’s Journey: Act Three
- Return – remembering who you are and finding your voice
- The Road Back / Resurrection – Redirection and surviving the biggest test and living with integrity
- Return with Elixr - Final mastery of problem and being refined by your experiences and being of service
8:30 A.M. Morning Mixer
Join us for some casual conversation before Women In Leadership begins!
9:00 A.M. Leadership Revelation Part 1– The Media is your Friend!
Jen Blake, Executive Producer, KOTA-TV and KEVN Black Hills Fox
Return – remembering who you are and finding your voice: In which the Hero sees light at the end of the tunnel.
We’ve been through a lot. However, the fruits of your labor are now at hand — if you can just reach out and grab them! The “reward” is the object or knowledge the Hero (hi again!) has fought throughout the entire journey to hold onto. Sometimes our reward is showing up on camera or getting called for an interview. What do we do? And how do we get media’s attention in the first place? Finding your voice takes courage and YOU, our HERO is ready.
9:30 A.M. Leadership Revelation Part 2 – Financial Bravery in a Time of Uncertainty
Laura Prosser, Assistant Professor, Black Hills State University
Rededication to change in your business and career: In which the light at the end of the tunnel might be a little further than the Hero thought.
The story's not over just yet. Let’s explore the five things that we all need to know about personal finances to bravely and successfully navigate our financial journey in this next decade.
10:15 A.M. Morning Break
10:30 A.M. Identify and Recognize Mental Health Roadblocks in your Career
Cherise Lerew, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist & Tara Ginter, MS, Licensed Professional Counselor Mental Health, Black Hills Psychology
Now that she’s seized the reward, our Hero tries to return to the “Ordinary World”, but more dangers (inconveniently) arise on the road back. What about your mental health? What do you need to know NOW?
12:00 P.M. Lunch & Networking at The Barn
1:00 P.M. The Road Back: The World is Yours for the Taking
Dr. Rachel MK Headley & Meg Kokesh McNeese, Rose Group Int’l
Seeing possibility in change is something that you can develop with time. The more you do it, the better it gets – where you not only survive, but thrive through change. How do you help you people become a better team through the fire. When teams are faced with tough challenges, they either put their head down and “gut it out,” or they become unstoppable. The results are up to you.
2:15 P.M. Our Inner Hero, Our Next Steps – Journaling Break
Michelle Kane, Director, SD CEO West Women’s Business Center
2:45 P.M. Return with the Elixir: Use your powers for good.
Dr. Rachel MK Headley & Meg Kokesh McNeese, Rose Group Int’l
We all know that change isn’t all a nice a tidy circle. It’s a dang mess – usually with loads of changes piling on top of other changes and challenges and kids and bosses and partners and “what am I gonna make for supper”?!?
All of the things you’ve learning in this journey will prepare you to deal with the next thing that comes, will allow you to see with new glasses, will give you the necessary skills to help yourself and others. It will also provide you some perspective on how and when to celebrate small victories, pat yourself on the back, and grow your confidence in crazy situations. But, now what? What will you do today, on the way home? What will you do tomorrow at work? What commitments are you making to yourself?
4:15 P.M. Back to the Beginning / Closing
Michelle Kane, Director, SD CEO West Women’s Business Center
Women In Leadership Celebration!
Final Session: TBD
SD CEO 11th Annual Women’s Business Conference at The Lodge at Deadwood
Your registration for the "Women in Leadership: Focusing on the Future - The Hero's Journey" course includes a complimentary registration to the "SD CEO Women's Business Conference" ($135 value).
Jen Blake has made KOTA Territory her home for more than 20 years, joining the staff in October 2014. Jen, who has two bachelor's degrees from Black Hills State University, is the KOTA Territory News assignment editor. We can thank the Air Force for bringing Jen to KOTA TV News. She is a seven-year Air Force public affairs veteran with a tour of duty at Langely AFB, Va., before being assigned to Ellsworth AFB. Jen also served in Bosnia and Cambrai, France. When not working, she volunteers in the community, tries her hand at a multitude of craft projects and spends time with her husband
Stephanie Dowling currently leads the community affairs team at Black Hills Energy. Prior to her role with Black Hills Energy, Stephanie was appointed by the Governor of Arizona as the Deputy Director for the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT). In her role as Deputy Director and Chief Marketing Officer, her area of focus was strategic alignment and development of AOT's branding, advertising, public relations and communications programs. She led the agency in international tourism, policy and constituent and delegate relations. Stephanie has nearly 25 years of experience in communications, public relations and advertising. Her career started in London, England as a public relations representative for the Bank of England and was nominated for two National Emmy Awards for work as a senior researcher and field producer with "NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw." During her time with NBC, she interviewed world leaders and celebrities, covering breaking news, world events and politics. She then moved on to manage and direct public relations and marketing for Tommy Hilfiger-USA where she led the development of their first website www.tommy.com. In addition, she traveled to all fifty states to produce and manage a nationwide marketing campaigns for the Tommy Hilfiger brand. From there, she joined New York City nonprofit, The Fresh Air Fund, where she redeveloped marketing campaigns, produced celebrity galas, and handled board relations. She then joined the team at GoDaddy to build their public relations department and set the stage for worldwide brand awareness. She has won several awards for her professional work and has been appointed to several boards and committees throughout her career. Stephanie is a graduate of the University of South Dakota with a BA degree in Mass Communication.
Michelle Kane provides business counseling and resource guidance to aspiring and established entrepreneurs as the Director of SD CEO. She and the SD CEO team are privileged to bring outstanding workshops, networking opportunities and conferences to professional women across the state while promoting entrepreneurship and leadership. Prior to joining SD CEO, Michelle owned Black Hills PR, a public relations firm she launched in 2011. Headquartered in Spearfish, Black Hills PR designed marketing, social media and PR programs for local, regional and national clients including three years traveling with a professional rodeo association. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Advertising from San Jose State University and is a 4th generation Californian who says that she "found her spot" in Spearfish. You can find Michelle at the creek, lake or pool with her son Jack, on the golf course with husband Mike, on her front porch with friends or in her garden, weeding and listening to podcasts.
Dr. Rachel MK Headley is the CEO of Rose Group International, a company that specializes in providing premium strategic leadership coaching and training to solve problems around teamwork, productivity, time management, and retention, so they can better harness the energy of their people to achieve aspirational goals. Headley is a Mensa PhD scientist and former Operational Science Officer of the Landsat satellite mission, with over two decades of experience leading complex and groundbreaking achievements, managing big projects, uniting diverse international stakeholders, and guiding teams through change. Dr. Headley is TEDx/keynote speaker, Forbes contributor, and executive coach.
Meg Kokesh McNeese is Chief Operating Officer of The Rose Group, Int’l. She has years of experience leading through transition. From major changes in highly-regulated industries to managing through a $100M acquisition, Meg has refined skills in understanding people through change. Her studies in organizational psychology and mastery in leadership concepts ensure that your people are taken care of. Period. Meg has a passion for helping others realize their full potential – breaking down social and personal barriers – changing their story. Her innate ability to recognize opportunity in weakness and present a strategic solution is unprecedented in today’s business world. Meg is a ranch kid from western South Dakota, where she still puts in a hard day’s work on the family place. Ranch life gave her sticktoittiveness, passion for family and outdoors, and maybe a touch of stubbornness. Meg is an avid runner, an advocate of the well-rounded education of youth, and a major supporter of finding humor in all things.
Laura Prosser has been an accounting professor at Black Hills State University since 2002. In addition to teaching accounting in both Spearfish and Rapid City, she is the program chair for the BHSU accounting and business programs at the University Center in Rapid City. Laura also serves on the board of directors at Northern Hills Federal Credit Union in Sturgis. In 1988, Laura earned her CPA certification and in 2011 she completed the requirements for her CMA certification (Certified Management Accountant). Prior to teaching at BHSU, Laura taught accounting and business courses at National American University in Rapid City where she chaired the accounting assessment committee. Laura was also the assistant controller at Washington Federal Savings Bank in Hillsboro, Oregon for three years. Laura earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of South Dakota. Working with finances and budgets in personal and business applications are some of Laura’s favorite parts of accounting and financial management. Laura and her husband David reside in Sturgis, SD and have three grown children.
