




SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 30th, 2025!
Starkey | 7:45 AM - 3:30 PM
Mark your calendar for this year’s summit. Speaker announcements, registration information are available now!
Check out this year's program below!
If you have any immediate questions, please call 952-944-2830 or email Kirsten at kirsten.barott@epchamber.org



Engage with numerous speakers throughout the event that will empower you to take hold of your future and succeed on your journey through your work AND home life. Hear testimonies from top professionals on the marketplace change that they have had to overcome in their experience and how they learned to grow and adapt within their industries.
2025 Schedule
7:30 AM | Sponsor Check-In
7:45 - 8:15 AM | Check-In + Breakfast
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Use time to visit sponsor tables
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Free Headshots
8:15 – 8:30 AM
Welcome from the Chamber + Starkey Team
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Morning Kickoff: “Resilient Connections – Where Purpose Meets People”
Facilitator: Anastasia Galka, Fierce Joy
Start your day with purpose-driven connection and high-energy interaction. This dynamic morning session blends progressive-style speed networking with a resiliency-focused keynote to break the ice, spark meaningful conversations, and set the tone for the rest of the day.
Led by Anastasia Galka of Fierce Joy, attendees will explore the theme of resiliency—what it means in both personal and professional life—and how we can build it together through shared experiences and intentional connection. Expect a mix of engaging prompts, thoughtful reflection, and impactful networking, designed to help you walk away with new insights and new relationships.
[transition] 9:30 – 9:40 AM | Breakouts
9:45 – 10:40 AM | Focus Workshops Round 1
Attendees will be asked to attend one of the following:
Lindsey Heiserman, Owner, Lindsey Heiserman Coaching
o Cultivating a Life of Purpose and Well Being
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant hustle? Join us to discover a more balanced approach to success. In this interactive workshop, Lindsey will guide you in prioritizing your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Learn practical strategies to reduce stress, set boundaries, and cultivate a life of purpose. You'll leave this session equipped to thrive, not just survive.
Jody Carey, SEO Website Content Writing, Jody Carey Marketing
o Personal Branding
Discover how to define, refine, and communicate your personal brand with clarity and confidence. In this hands-on workshop led by Jody Carey, attendees will explore the key elements of personal branding and engage in practical exercises to help align their presence, message, and goals—no matter their career stage.
Dr. Rebekah Hartmann, Merrill Lynch
o Personal Finance & Basic Accounting
Take control of your financial future with this interactive workshop led by Rebekah Hartmann of Merrill Lynch. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will cover personal finance essentials and basic accounting principles to help you make informed, confident money decisions.
Sara Newman, Transformation Leader, Beyond Change Consulting
o Change Leader: Asking vs Telling
Learn how to lead change more effectively by shifting from telling to asking. In this engaging workshop, Sara Newman of Beyond Change Consulting will guide attendees through practical strategies to foster collaboration, build trust, and drive lasting impact by embracing a more inquiry-based leadership approach.
Cherie Lemer, Digital Experience and Technology Manager, University of Minnesota
o Salary Negotiation
Boost your confidence and negotiation skills in this interactive workshop led by Cherie Lemer, Digital Experience and Technology Manager at the University of Minnesota. Attendees will explore key strategies for salary negotiation, practice real-world scenarios, and walk away with tools to advocate for their value at any career stage.
John Lee, Franchise Owner, Eden Prairie Lifestyle Magazine
o Command the Room
Learn how to speak with confidence, presence, and purpose in this engaging workshop led by John Lee of Eden Prairie Lifestyle Magazine. Attendees will explore practical techniques to command the room, enhance their communication style, and leave a lasting impression in any professional setting.
Torrion Aime, Interim Dean of Students, Hennepin Technical College
o Overcoming the "No"
Turn setbacks into stepping stones in this empowering workshop led by Torrion Aime, Interim Dean of Students at Hennepin Technical College. Attendees will explore strategies for overcoming the "no", build resilience, and learn how to navigate rejection with confidence and purpose in both personal and professional settings.
[transition] 10:40-10:50 AM
10:50 - 11:45 AM | Focus Workshop Round 2
o Attendees will be asked to select another session from the Focus Workshop Round 1 selections
[transition] 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
11:45 - 12:45 AM
11:45 - Lunch Served
12:15 - Lunch Panel: CEO "Lessons Learned"
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Sara Grap; former Director of Communications for the Mall of America, current CEO of SG Public Relations
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Yande Musonda, Founder & CEO, Gifty Gifts
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Heidi Carpenter, CEO, Fafinski Mark & Johnson, P.A.
[transition] 12:45 AM - 1:00 PM
1:00 - 1:20 PM | Sponsor Activity - Booth BINGO
[transition] 1:20 - 1:25 PM
1:25 -2:20 PM | Collaborative Tracks | Pick One of the Following Sessions to Attend
Kyle Acker, VP of US Commercial Sales, Starkey
Karen Spaeth, Marketing Director, Starkey
o Building Influence
Looking to strengthen your leadership presence and impact? Join Kyle Acker and Karen Spaeth of Starkey for an interactive session on Building Influence, where you'll tackle real-world challenges in small groups, brainstorm strategies, and engage in collaborative discussion to uncover practical ways to grow your influence in any role or industry.
Jason Sedlak, Owner, College Hunks - Eden Prairie
o Time and Priority Management
Struggling to balance it all? In this collaborative track led by Jason Sedlak, owner of College Hunks – Eden Prairie, attendees will dive into practical strategies for time and priority management, engage in small-group discussion, and leave with actionable tools to stay focused, organized, and in control.
Adam Brown, Business Development and Marketing, FMJ Law
o Building Your Authentic Leadership Style
In this interactive Collaborative Track, moderator Adam Brown will kick things off with insights from his leadership journey before guiding attendees through small-group discussions on crucial conversations, change management, and managing up. Groups of 4–5 will explore real-world challenges and share strategies, while Adam circulates to offer support, pose deeper questions, and foster meaningful dialogue.
Karen Brettingen, Industry Relations Director, Eden Prairie High School
o Guided Growth: Mentor + Mentee Networking
Looking to find a mentor or become one? Join this fast-paced, mentor/mentee speed networking session facilitated by Karen, where you'll connect with professionals, exchange insights, and explore potential mentorship matches in a guided, engaging format.
[transition] 2:20 - 2:30 PM
2:30 - 3:20 PM
FINAL Keynote: Jerrid Sebastia, Amazon Best-selling author and keynote for companies like Target, IBM, and numerous Fortune 500 companies.
I've helped hundreds of growth-minded professionals just like you unlock their extraordinary life. This is what I call, Life-Undeferred.
3:20 PM | Final Announcements and Adjourn by 3:30 PM
