Women in Business, Entrepreneurship & Leadership Summit: Embrace Change, Empower Resilience
March 7, 2025
9 am - 2:30 pm
The Office of Access and Community Connections (OACC) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business invites you to the 10th annual Women in Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Summit.
The annual event connects Haslam administrators, faculty, staff, students and friends with accomplished female leaders who can help nurture and cultivate leadership skills.
Embrace Change, Empower Resilience
Change is inevitable, and ambiguity often shapes our paths. The 2025 Women in Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Summit invites participants to reframe uncertainty as an opportunity for growth. This summit explores the power of resilience, adaptability and vulnerability, equipping attendees to navigate challenges, bounce back and thrive in ever-changing environments.
Discover practical tools to embrace the unknown, strengthen your adaptability and turn fear into action. Join us to transform uncertainty into a catalyst for success.
Designed to Empower
The summit is an interactive learning and professional development event designed to empower UT students, faculty and staff who identify as female from all backgrounds and all who support addressing issues women face in business. The summit provides a platform for meaningful dialogue on these issues, introduces professionals who can serve as role models and offers practical approaches to bringing more women into business leadership positions worldwide. Participants connect with a network of female professionals and engage in mentorship-focused discussion groups and networking. As accomplished leaders in their fields, workshop facilitators have a wealth of experiences to share that help attendees recognize their leadership, identify their best leadership qualities and prepare them to lead others while sustaining and cultivating themselves.
Defining Pathways to Leadership
Haslam’s OACC offers a variety of programs, organizations, services and initiatives designed to provide access, connections and support to Haslam students, faculty, staff and stakeholders, as well as the surrounding community. Our team provides mentorship, academic support and resources to foster growth and support the university’s mission of advancing access and opportunity. We also work closely with campus partners and community organizations to promote access and connections across the university and beyond. We celebrate the richness of our community and strive to create a sense of belonging for everyone through various camps, programs, summits and other events for future and current students, as well as faculty, staff and other stakeholders
Keynote Speaker
Nona Jones
Nona Jones, an author and speaker, serves as YouVersion’s global ambassador and previously held a leadership role at Meta. A bestselling author of “Killing Comparison” and “Success from the Inside Out,” her latest book, “The Gift of Rejection,” debuted in October. Recognized by ESSENCE and Florida Trend for her influence, she is active in civic organizations and serves on multiple boards.
Opening Session Keynote
Tia Konzer
Tia Konzer is a board-certified sport psychiatrist and has built a reputation at the intersection of medicine, sports and executive performance. Konzer has worked extensively with various professional athletes and serves as a mental health consultant for NASCAR’s Medical Liaison Unit and an independent clinician practicing with the MLBPA mental health directory. Additionally, she is an active medical field and community volunteer.
Embrace Change, Empower Resilience
Guest Speakers
Claudia Caballero
Claudia Caballero is president and CEO of Centro Hispano de East Tennessee, where she has significantly impacted the Latino community through her eight years of leadership. Beyond her role at Centro Hispano, she is a dedicated mentor to young Latinos and actively participates in various boards and programs. Caballero has also received numerous professional and community accolades, and is bicultural and bilingual, having been raised in Honduras and the U.S.
Sara Easler
Sara Easler is the assistant dean of International Programs and Partnerships for the Haslam College of Business, responsible for developing international strategy, relationships and identifying international education opportunities for students. She manages the International Programs and Study Abroad unit as part of the Center for Student Engagement and Success, serving as a resource for students, faculty and staff.
Breanna Hale
Breanna Hale is the executive director for the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Coming from Utah Valley University’s Entrepreneurship Institute, she brings vast experience in developing entrepreneurship programming, building a network of mentors and resources for students and increasing student business funding. She has served on the boards of Tech Coast Venture Network, WeAngels and the Mountainland Association of Governments Revolving Loan Fund.
Jasmine Newton
Jasmine Newton is a portrait photographer, speaker, mentor and community leader. After working in customer service, she pursued her true passion full-time, launching Javon Renee Portraits in 2015 to create timeless and empowering portraits. In 2024, she expanded her impact with TheJasmineNewton.com, offering practical advice on balance, boundaries, and authenticity. Newton actively contributes to her community, serving as a board member and volunteer.
Cortney Piper
Cortney Piper is a UT alumna and swimming Lady Vol for life. She founded a public relations firm, Piper Communications, focused on clean energy and technology. Piper also serves as the director of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council and board chair for the East Tennessee Economic Council. She organized Innov865 Alliance, which collaborates to develop, support and promote East Tennessee as an entrepreneurial destination. Piper is also an advocate for special education and serves on the Knox County Schools Special Education Parent Council.
Catherine Porth
Catherine Porth is the founder and executive Director of Let Her Speak, a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating women’s wealth, power and influence. She founded Let Her Speak to create spaces where women can share their unique experiences, foster community and develop the confidence needed to rise into leadership roles on their terms. Porth’s career spans over 15 years across industries, and she has worked with an array of corporations, nonprofits and startups.
Marianne Wanamaker
Marianne Wanamaker serves as the dean of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, as well as a professor of economics and public policy. She is the recipient of several teaching awards, and her expertise is in labor economics, education and workforce development. Wanamaker also serves in research roles for multiple organizations and was the former chief domestic economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors, where she also served as the senior labor economist.
Dionna Widder
Dionna Widder is the chief revenue officer with Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena, where she works closely with team members, fans, partners and community leaders. Previously, Widder served as the chief revenue officer for Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash, the vice president of ticket sales and service for the Cleveland Cavaliers and a director in the NBA’s team marketing and business operations group. Widder also hosts the “Women Blazers” podcast, which features impactful conversations with women in sports and entertainment.
Special Thanks To
Event Registration
Use the below form to register to attend the Women in Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Summit. The registration deadline is February 24.