Meet the Women Leading the Conversation
The 2026 Kansas Women in Business Conference will feature speakers, facilitators and panelists whose leadership experiences span business, government, entrepreneurship, community engagement, coaching and organizational strategy.
Together, they will offer practical insight into how women build influence, navigate complexity and lead through the moments that matter.
Jeanne Sparrow
Keynote Speaker
Lead with Fearless Authenticity
Jeanne Sparrow is an award-winning media personality, speaker, author and communication strategist whose work centers on helping people recognize their unique value, communicate with confidence and lead authentically.
Drawing from more than three decades in broadcasting and media, along with her experience as a leadership and communication consultant and graduate faculty member at Northwestern University, Jeanne helps audiences bring greater intention, presence and connection to the way they communicate and lead.
At the Kansas Women in Business Conference, Jeanne will invite attendees to trust their own voices rather than measure themselves against someone else’s expectations of leadership.
Attendee takeaway: Learn how to trust your voice, communicate with greater authenticity and show up courageously in the moments that matter.
Audra Dinell
Reflection Facilitator and Panel Moderator
Lead with Connection
Audra Dinell is the founder of The Thread: Women’s Leadership Collective, an organization created to support women’s personal and professional leadership development through meaningful relationships, shared experiences and community.
Through a guided reflection, Audra will invite attendees to consider the relationships that have shaped their leadership and the role trust, generosity and intentional connection play in creating meaningful influence.
She will also moderate the Confidence in Motion panel.
Attendee takeaway: Identify the relationships that strengthen your leadership and one connection you can invest in more intentionally.
Katie Patterson
Keynote Speaker
Lead with Conviction
Katie Patterson is a principal with HB Strategies and an experienced legislative negotiator known for helping clients and policymakers navigate challenging issues and move important work forward.
Drawing from her experience negotiating complex issues and building support among people with different priorities, Katie will share practical lessons for navigating resistance, communicating with purpose and remaining grounded when agreement does not come easily.
Attendee takeaway: Learn practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations, building support and remaining focused on what matters.
Kristen O’Shea
Interactive Session Facilitator
Lead with Strength
Kristen O’Shea is the founder of O’Shea Strengths Coaching and a nationally recognized advocate for strengths-based leadership. She works with leaders, teams and organizations to improve communication, engagement and performance by helping people understand and use their natural talents more intentionally.
During this interactive session, Kristen will help attendees recognize how their strengths influence the way they communicate, solve problems, build relationships and lead others.
Attendee takeaway: Identify the strengths you bring to leadership and learn practical ways to use them more intentionally.
Dr. Katie Ervin
Closing Keynote Speaker
Lead with Clarity
Dr. Katie Ervin will bring together the ideas, stories and lessons of the day and help attendees consider what they want to carry forward, what they are ready to release and how they want to lead differently.
Through an energizing close, she will challenge each attendee to turn reflection into a clear and meaningful next step.
Attendee takeaway: Leave with renewed energy, a clearer understanding of the leader you want to be and one specific commitment for putting your influence into action.
Additional Speakers and Panelists
Christie Kriegshauser
Kansas Chamber
Moderator, The View from the Right Hand
Jacklynn Walters
Office of the Kansas Senate President
Panelist, The View from the Right Hand
Carrie Rahfaldt
Office of the Kansas House Speaker
Panelist, The View from the Right Hand
Sunee Mickle
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
Panelist, Confidence in Motion
Kelsey Wiens
Kewi Creative
Panelist, Confidence in Motion
TBD Panelist, Confidence in Motion