Elevate Your Career & Connect
YP Summit Sessions
Lunch & Learn Sessions
After the morning presentations, grab your lunch and head into downtown Bend to one of eight Lunch & Learn breakout sessions of your choice.
Lunch & Learn Session spaces are limited. Register soon to secure your preferred session.
DOWNLOAD MAP WITH SESSION LOCATIONS
All Lunch & Learn sessions will be within walking distance of the Tower Theatre. Locations are subject to change.
Spark Change in Your Community Through Coalition Building
Speaker: Sara Odendahl—Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Initiatives for the Bend Chamber of Commerce and Co-founder of Work-Collective
In this experiential session, Sara Odendahl, Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Initiatives for the Bend Chamber of Commerce and Co-founder of Work-Collective, will explore the process and power of coalition building. Sara will ignite participants' passion for effective advocacy through an immersive advocacy game.
With her expertise in coalition building at the forefront, Sara will guide us through a memorable simulation designed to illuminate the intricacies and impact of collaborative efforts in influencing policy and effecting change. As you navigate the game, you'll encounter real-world challenges and opportunities. Emerge equipped with practical skills to amplify your voice and drive meaningful progress within our community and beyond.
LOCATION: First Interstate Bank, 1100 NW Wall St.
Harnessing AI For Career Success
Speaker: Justin Coats—AI Integration Expert
In today's rapidly evolving job landscape, AI mastery isn't just an advantage—it's a necessity. Join Justin Coats, Co-Founder of Neesh, to dive into the intersection of AI and career advancement. As AI continues to reshape industries and redefine roles, understanding how best to use this powerful technology is essential for staying competitive. Neesh’s mission is to make AI accessible, relevant, and beneficial for everyone.
In this session, you’ll explore practical strategies for integrating AI into your professional life. From mastering digital networking to enhancing productivity and regaining time, Justin’s insights will help you thrive in an AI-driven world. He will offer valuable guidance to harness the potential of AI for enhancing personal and professional success. Navigate the future of work with confidence and clarity, and ensure you stay ahead!
LOCATION: Bend La Pine School District Admin Board Room, #314, 520 NW Wall St.
The Art of Conflict Resolution
Speakers: Amanda Zalesky—US Bank Senior Facilitator in Leadership Development and Sherry Jones—US Bank District Manager
Pictured at left, Sherry Jones
Join us for a practical breakout session focused on honing your skills in conflict resolution and negotiation. Led by Sherry Jones, District Manager and Amanda Zalesky, Senior Facilitator in Leadership Development at U.S. Bank, this session will provide actionable strategies and techniques to help you effectively manage challenging situations. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, participants will gain an understanding of the root causes of conflict and learn how to navigate tense situations with confidence and diplomacy. Whether in the workplace or in your personal life, mastering conflict resolution is key to effective communication and healthy relationships. Leave with practical tools to transform conflicts into constructive dialogues and opportunities for growth.
LOCATION: US Bank, 1025 NW Bond St.
Think Like a Pro Athlete: Lessons for Business Success
Speaker: Jesse Thomas—Co-Founder and former CEO of Picky Bars
Drawing from his career as a professional triathlete and co-founder of Picky Bars, Jesse Thomas unveils his secrets to success in triathlon and business, and how they’re connected, in an engaging Q&A session.
How do the lessons learned from pushing physical boundaries translate into the world of business and entrepreneurship? From navigating setbacks and cultivating resilience to fostering a winning mindset and embracing risk-taking, Jesse has invaluable insights for those of us who are striving for success, whatever our field. Leave inspired to harness your passion, grit, and creativity to conquer your own professional endeavors!
LOCATION: Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.
Creative Sparks: A Conversation with MOsley WOtta
Speaker: Mosley Wotta—Artist
Local artist MOsley WOtta (MOWO) will lead this lively, informal, and mind-stretching conversation! After experiencing MOWO’s mesmerizing performance on the main stage, join this session to engage in a vibrant exchange of ideas, stories, and insights with MOWO and fellow participants. This is your opportunity to be part of a community-driven dialogue that transcends the ordinary.
LOCATION: Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend, 500 NW Wall St.
Crafting a Career: Your Personal Roadmap
Speaker: Zak Boone—Chief Advancement Officer & Foundation Executive Director, Central Oregon Community College
Zak will share personal insights and practical strategies to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of career development. Discover how to identify and clarify your passions, strengths and professional goals, as well as learn some best practices to develop your personalized career roadmap. Whether you're a student exploring future career paths or a professional seeking to advance in your field, Zak's presentation will help you make informed decisions and take proactive steps to ensure you’re asking the right questions to increase your wellbeing and satisfaction in the workplace now and into the future.
LOCATION: Deschutes Public Library, 601 NW Wall St.
Unlocking the Power of Public Speaking
Speaker: Joanne Mathews—Consultant
Join local public speaking luminary, Joanne Mathews, for a dynamic session dedicated to enhancing your public speaking and presentation prowess.
Through a blend of insightful guidance and interactive exercises, participants will uncover the keys to delivering compelling presentations with confidence and impact. Joanne will delve into the essentials of effective communication, exploring what sets apart memorable speeches from forgettable ones, and identifying common pitfalls to avoid. How will you know you were successful? Whether you're a seasoned speaker or new to the stage, this session offers invaluable insights and practical techniques to elevate your speaking game. Get ready to shift your perspective on public speaking and unlock your potential to captivate, inspire, and leave a lasting impression on any audience. You will never look at public speaking the same way again!
LOCATION: Brooks Resources, 409 NW Franklin Ave.
Financial Psychology: Freeing Up Old Beliefs About Money
Speaker: Joetta Johnson—Founder and CEO of the Priestess of Finance
Join Joetta Johnson, Founder and CEO of the Priestess of Finance, for this interactive, thought-provoking session. Joetta has worked as an accountant, controller, financial analyst and CFO, in addition to being an auditor for Deloitte, one of the largest global accounting firms in the world. She has been ordained as a High Priestess, and brings her lifelong studies of psychology, spirituality and hypnosis to help facilitate behavioral change with money patterns. The result is a unique approach to financial management! Joetta will share her own hero’s journey with money, and help you understand your own money patterns and behaviors.
Whether you’re negotiating a salary, selling something, setting your fees, or seeking funding, your relationship with money has a profound impact on your chances of success. How do you perceive and interact with money? Anyone can access greater prosperity, and it starts by getting in touch with our own money operating system. Joetta offers a blend of corporate, spiritual, and psychological insights. There is an element of Awe in learning how to do money in a new way! Leave with fresh perspectives, actionable insights, and the confidence to navigate personal and professional finance with intention, purpose and success.
LOCATION: Deschutes Historical Museum, 129 NW Idaho Ave.