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2023 Speakers

Below are some of the distinguished speakers who spoke at the 2023 Women in Leadership Conference. A record-setting crowd of 900 in-person and virtual attendees enjoyed the conference. Thank you to our speakers for making the conference a record-breaking success!


  • Mollye Barrows

    Investigative Journalist, Pensacola News Journal; Author, Television News Contributor, Podcaster, "Gulf Coast Confidential"

    Barrows Bio

  • Lt. Col. Nicole Bastain
    Nicole Villareal Bastian

    Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

    Bastian Bio

  • Kara Bloomberg

    Chief Operating Officer, LandrumHR

    Bloomberg Bio

  • Deb Boelkes
    Deb Boelkes

    Leadership Expert, Award-winning Author, Speaker

    Boelkes Bio

  • Ann Burkhardt
    Ann Burkhardt

    Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Ret.; Executive Consultant, Dynamic Integrated Services

    Burkhardt Bio

  • Madrina
    Madrina Ciano

    Entrepreneur, Philanthropist

    Ciano Bio

  • Kara Cardona

    Executive Vice President of Greater Pensacola and Contact Center Operations, Navy Federal Credit Union

    Cardona Bio

  • Sandra Donaldson
    Sandra Donaldson

    President/CEO, D-Edge Consulting

    Donaldson Bio

  • Dr. Sherry Hartnett

    Author, Professor, University of West Florida; and Founder, College of Business Executive Mentor Program

    Hartnett Bio

  • Siri Lindley
    Siri Lindley

    World Champion Triathlete, High-Performance Coach, Motivational Speaker

    Lindley Bio

  • Leslie Maher
    Leslie A. Maher

    Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)

    Maher Bio

  • Dr. Fran P. Mainella

    16th Director, National Park Service; Visiting Scholar, Clemson University

    Mainella Bio

  • Rep. Michelle Salzman

    State Representative, District 1

    Salzman Bio

  • Stinemetz
    Jill Stinemetz

    Associate Vice President of Field Operations, Cox Communications

    Stinemetz Bio

  • Sandy Stosz

    Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Ret.; Founder, Sandra L. Stosz, LLC

    Stosz Bio

  • Kristie Tobias

    Author, Coach, Consultant, National Speaker and Trusted Mentor

    Tobias Bio

  • Stephanie White

    Founding Attorney, Florida Adoptions, Stephanie S. White, PLLC; UWF Trustee

    White Bio

  • Dr. Lusharon Wiley

    Vice President of Corporate Culture, Innisfree Hotels

    Wiley Bio