2025 Women in Leadership Series
Mastering Influence: Confident Communication in High-Stakes Moments
- September 9
- 11:00 am - 1:30 pm ET
- Online
Even the most experienced leaders encounter situations where their voice isn’t heard the way it should be—whether it’s navigating executive-level discussions, cross-functional debates or high-stakes decisions that impact the future of the business.
In this session, two accomplished women leaders will share practical strategies for navigating those moments with clarity, presence and confidence. You’ll learn how to strengthen your influence across the organization, build trusted partnerships with senior stakeholders and lead conversations that move people and decisions forward—without compromising who you are.
You’ll leave with frameworks you can use immediately to:
- Communicate with clarity and authority—even in challenging or high-pressure scenarios
- Earn trust, build executive buy-in, and cultivate champions in the C-suite
- Speak up and stand your ground without second-guessing your tone or intent
- Stay grounded and focused when the stakes are high
- Create space for others while also owning your seat at the table
Featured Speakers
Stacey Ryan-Cornelius
Global Chief Financial Officer, Burson
As a global financial leader and respected voice in the C-suite, Stacey has built a career on empowering others, managing risk, and leading with both strength and humanity. She’ll share how she’s cultivated executive allies, earned a seat at the table, and led transformative change by staying grounded in her values. She’ll also introduce her “clear the mechanism” method—her personal strategy for staying calm, clear, and impactful when it matters most.
Melody Wilding, LMSW
Executive Coach; Human Behavior Professor; Author, Managing Up and Trust Yourself
Recently named one of Business Insider’s Most Innovative Coaches, Melody has helped hundreds of leaders at top companies like Google, Netflix, IBM, and JPMorgan develop the confidence and clarity to lead at the next level. Drawing from her book Managing Up and two decades of coaching and teaching, she shares practical tools for communicating with executive presence and navigating complex workplace dynamics with integrity and influence.
Agenda
11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
Speak Up and Lead with Confidence
Melody Wilding, LMSW
Executive Coach; Human Behavior Professor; Author, Managing Up and Trust Yourself
Learn how to navigate difficult conversations, influence without authority, and communicate with clarity—especially in rooms where power dynamics can feel complex. Melody will share science-backed strategies and communication techniques to help you own your message, build buy-in, and create impact across all levels of your organization.
12:00 – 12:50 pm ET
Create Champions and Lead With Presence
Stacey Ryan-Cornelius
Global Chief Financial Officer, Burson
Stacey will share stories and lessons from her leadership journey—including how she built executive partnerships, found her voice, and now helps others do the same. You’ll learn how to lead with authenticity and conviction, even in high-pressure moments, and walk away with practical tools to elevate your executive presence.
12:50 – 1:30 pm ET
Concurrent Peer-to-Peer Roundtables
In small, facilitated groups, you’ll reflect on what resonated most from the sessions, share your own leadership challenges, and crowdsource ideas and feedback from other experienced women leaders.
This Session Will Help Participants:
Expand influence across levels and functions
Earn buy-in from peers and senior stakeholders
Stay composed in high-pressure conversations
Build champions inside and outside the C-suite
Use practical frameworks to navigate power dynamics
Join the discussion
Membership + Event Access
Join and Attend the Event SeriesRate expires July 31
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4 Event Series Sessions Per Year
Single Session Ticket
Attend the September 9 SessionRate expires July 31
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Single Event Session
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Membership not included
Individual event sessions are eligible for 2 CPE credits in Business Management.
Testimonials
Feedback from past Women in Leadership Series sessions
Authentic
“Loved hearing more about her career journey and decisions she made along the way. Felt very human and authentic. Her story was my biggest takeaway of the conversation.”
Space to Share
“The Roundtables felt safe – we are all open to different perspectives and nobody was shy about sharing.”
Actionable
“Really loved this talk! Felt like she shared a lot of actionable insight with tactical content that you can integrate into your life and not general words of wisdom.”
