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If you are interested in speaking at Women in Industry Day, please download our call for speakers information sheet, available on the left, or contact our Sponsorship Coordinator, Krista Grooms, at [email protected].
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2025 Conference Speakers
Tara Palmatier
Tara Palmatier is a driven professional services director within Blackbaud and non-profit board vice chair. Her background in managing large global delivery teams across portfolios and solutions makes her an expert in understanding how to leverage data to optimize delivery. Tara is widely regarded as the go-to on how to drive customers to achieve their outcomes. Tara’s own journey to senior leadership has been fueled with an unrelenting passion for empowering leaders to, delight their customers. From England, but based in Charleston, South Carolina, she also considers herself an unofficial Cabernet Sauvignon taste tester, fantasy football fanatic, cheese lover, and avid runner.
Natalie Hauff
Natalie Caula Hauff is the deputy director of innovation at the Charleston County Public Library, where she oversees community engagement, programming, innovative services, outreach, and communications. A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Hauff earned the award in 2015 as part of a team of reporters for investigative reporting on domestic violence in South Carolina. She later transitioned to public service, where she now leads innovative programs and initiatives. In 2023, Hauff delivered a TEDxCharleston talk on the evolving role of public libraries. She serves on several boards, including the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Legal Access, and Roper Hospital. A Furman University Riley Diversity Leaders Fellow and mentor for Charleston County’s Emerging Leader Program, Hauff was named one of Charleston Regional Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2023. She is a Cuban-American, a mom, and a wife, living in Charleston.
Michelle McDonald
With over 15 years of experience in economic and workforce development, Michelle McDonald is a dedicated leader committed to business growth, job creation, and community impact. As deputy director of Dorchester County Economic Development, she has led initiatives that enhance job placement, workforce training, and business retention. Notably, she increased grant funding for the Tri-County STEMersion Institute from $14,500 to $121,000 in one year, resulting in the program’s largest class ever. She holds an MBA from The Citadel, graduating with a 4.0 GPA, and has completed top economic development programs, including the South Carolina Economic Developers Institute and the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute in October 2024. A results-driven leader with a passion for workforce and business development, Michelle continues to drive economic success in Dorchester County and beyond and was recently honored as a recipient of the 2024 Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award.
Julie Moore
I am a trial lawyer and equity partner at the law firm of Duffy & Young in downtown Charleston. As a civil litigator, clients come to me at their worst and darkest moments and trust me to help them through the litigation process. My ability to advocate for my clients is crucial to my professional success. I realized that women litigators face implicit bias in the courtroom and are often perceived to be less credible and effective than our male counterparts. This is true regardless of the profession and across industries. The skills and methods of persuasive communication are what I have thought about and developed every single day for the past fifteen years. The ability to effectively communicate is the ability to achieve professional success.
Jackie Kohlhepp
Jackie Kohlhepp, SHRM-SCP, LISW-AP is the CEO and co-founder of The Rez Rev, a company specializing in professional development for emerging workers and career transitioners that connects employees with potential employers through innovative events, programs, and video-based tools. Her company is a frequent collaborator with schools and businesses across the state of South Carolina and holds a monthly Virtual Elevator Pitch Competition, offering job seekers the opportunity to network with potential employers, earn prizes, and improve their interviewing skills. She is a professional speaker and has given talks to both local and national companies regarding intergenerational communication, conflict resolution, and more! A North Carolina native, Jackie has a background in social work and human resources and earned her Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master's in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She lives in Summerville with her husband, Ryan, a US Army Veteran, and their toddler, Jack. Jackie is also expecting her second child this August.
Erin Kienzle
Erin Kienzle is a TV host and professional benefit auctioneer who has been in front of the camera for more than 20 years. She’s CEO and Founder of Giving4Good Fundraising Auctions. In a world where only 17% of auctioneers are women, she and her team have raised millions for non-profits across the Southeast. You can catch Erin on TV on ABC News 4, catch her on Instagram teaching female entrepreneurs how to feel confident on camera, or catch her in her minivan hauling her daughters around town.
Brenna Lawrence
By day I'm in Business Development for Brown & Brown. Soon after I started there, seven years ago, I was diagnosed with "Impostor Syndrome". Thankfully, I recovered and moved on from that, immediately because no one should suffer that. I've been in monthly performance psychology training since 2020. Learning about neutral thinking enlightening and when I put it into practice, it was a game changer. My qualifications for this breakout opportunity include eight DisruptHR Talks between SC and GA over the last three years as well as my life experience of applying these methods both at home and at the office.
Amanda Riffee
Amanda Riffee is a best-selling author, internationally certified expansion and empowerment coach, speaker, and thought leader dedicated to helping ambitious women turn their boldest dreams into reality. Drawing on 18 years of corporate experience, a deep passion for mindset mastery, and the lessons learned from scaling her own business, Amanda specializes in guiding women to create transformational events, write and launch their own books, make courageous career moves, and bring their visions to life- without burnout or sacrificing who they are. Her debut book, Unleashing You, quickly became a best-seller and serves as a rallying cry for women ready to stop waiting for permission and start creating success on their own terms. Through her writing, coaching, and retreats, Amanda empowers women to trust their intuition, own their brilliance, and take bold, aligned action toward the lives they were meant to lead. She also hosts the Unleashing You with Amanda Riffee podcast, where she shares candid insights and inspiration for women stepping into their next level. A wife and mom of two based in Colorado, Amanda believes deeply in the power of community and collaboration. Her mission is simple: when women open doors for one another, there’s room for all of us at the top.
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Sonja Pemberton
Sonja Pemberton is an international speaker and strategic advisor known for helping executive teams think clearly
when the stakes are high. With over 30 years of experience across industries, from entrepreneurial startups to Fortune 100 companies, Sonja brings deep insight into the human side of decision making. Her work blends neuroscience, organizational development, and systems strategy to help leaders navigate complexity, align teams, and adapt in uncertain times. She holds certifications in advanced brain-based methodologies and a master’s degree in Organizational Development & Management. When she’s not guiding strategic conversations or facilitating high-impact labs, Sonja enjoys time with her husband Greg, their three grown children, and their brilliant granddogs, Hendrix and Teddy. Natalie Davidson
Natalie is a software engineer on Crowdstrike’s Falcon Cloud Security team with prior experience at Cloudflare, another leader in cybersecurity. She interned at NVIDIA, Google, and Boeing while studying at the University of South Carolina. She is passionate about pair programming and simplifying complex systems. Natalie lives in Mount Pleasant with her Boykin Spaniel, where she enjoys kitesurfing and cooking.
Michelle Lucas
Michelle Lucas has been inspired by space her entire life. After years of hard work in school, Michelle graduated from university and went to work at Johnson Space Center (JSC) to follow her dream. There she was part of the Payload Safety Review Panel, then she worked mission control for the International Space Station as a flight controller. After that, she then went on to be a technical instructor for astronauts as well as instructors and flight controllers all over the world. Along the way she found a passion for inspiring the next generation so she left JSC to pursue this new trajectory. Michelle started Higher Orbits – a non-profit that uses space to excite students about STEM. She runs programs all over the country (and world!) encouraging students to find and pursue their passion. Michelle is honored to be an AIAA Associate Fellow.
Michaela Bennekin-Eduafo
Micheala's diverse IT background started at Clemson University in 2019 where she received her degree in Computer information Systems. After volunteering in college with senior residential group homes to help with technology concerns, Micheala pursued a Master's Degree in UX Design from the Maryland Institute College of Arts in hopes of creating more user-friendly digital products for all. Micheala's work at Boeing started with a summer internship in 2019, where her networking and UX skills acquired her a full time role in Boeing's rotational Information Technology Career Foundation (ITCFP) Program. In 2021, Micheala later transitioned into a solo user experience designer role where she spearheaded the development of her electrical engineering team's design system and UX foundations.
Jodi George
Jodi George is a strategic, solutions-oriented leader with a proven record in building teams, implementing programs from concept to closure, and enhancing client relationships in complex international settings. Skilled at setting expectations, boosting morale, and consistently meeting delivery, timeline, and financial goals through effective leadership and operational efficiency. Committed to continual progress and success. Holds an MBA with a focus in International Business, complementing a strong work history.
Gina Crowley
Gina Crowley is a corporate responsibility leader for Cummins in Charleston, driven by her passion for making a difference in the lives of others. With over 30 years of business experience, she has delivered proven results in community involvement, talent management, performance consulting, and organizational effectiveness. Gina has held leadership roles in talent management, focusing on leadership development, team effectiveness, and change management. She has worked across industries, including automotive, aviation, and telecommunications, and partnered with leading organizations like Cummins, T-Mobile, Raytheon, and Boeing. Gina holds degrees from Kansas State and Pittsburg State Universities and is married with two grown sons.
Dr. DeAnna Baker
Dr. DeAnna Baker Frost is an adult rheumatologist and physician-scientist. A native of Baltimore, MD, she completed a combined M.D. and Ph.D. degree program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 2012. She then completed Internal Medicine residency at Duke University in 2014. Upon completion of residency, she became board certified as an internal medicine physician through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Dr. Baker Frost then returned to MUSC to complete an adult rheumatology fellowship from 2015-2018. In 2017, Dr. Baker Frost became the Chief Rheumatology Fellow and nationally recognized as an American College of Rheumatology Distinguished Fellow in 2018. She also became board certified and an adult rheumatologist and joined faculty at MUSC as an Assistant Professor in 2018. She is enthusiastic about both patient care and research and seeks to understand the cause of fibrosis in scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease, and its relationship to estrogen. Her research is through grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Scleroderma Foundation, the Doris Duke Foundation, and the MUSC Margaret Gage Endowment.
Angela Ortiz
Angela Ortiz is a passionate leader and Co-founder dedicated to driving innovation in the information technology industry. With expertise in augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and smart glass technology for manufacturing and logistics, Angela leverages her MBA in project management to lead cross-functional teams and deliver transformative solutions. She combines a heart-centered approach with over 15 years of experience in business development, marketing, and strategy. As a Certified Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master Teacher, yoga instructor, and Ayurveda practitioner, Angela integrates mindfulness into her professional and personal life, inspiring others to align their inner strengths with their outer success.
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