All Topics in Chicago

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  You Never Said Anything: Why High Performers Get Passed Over

  Rosie Zilinskas, Keynote Speaker | Certified High-Performance Coach, No Woman Left Behind

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  High-performing women in corporate roles deliver real results every day. And yet, many of them are still not being recognized and rewarded at the level they have earned. MORE >

  It is not because they lack talent. It is not because they lack confidence. It is because of the Articulation Gap: the distance between the impact they create and the impact leadership recognizes and rewards.

  In this keynote, Rosie Zilinskas reveals why strong work alone does not lead to advancement, and what high-performing women can do about it. Drawing from over 30 years of corporate leadership experience, including Executive Vice President at AIG Private Client Group, Rosie delivers a practical, story-driven talk that resonates with women across industries and leadership levels.

  Her structured approach is built on three pillars:
  ~ Clarity: knowing your impact in measurable terms
  ~ Composure: delivering your impact when the pressure is on
  ~ Conviction: directing your impact to the people who make decisions about your career

  What attendees will walk away with:
  ~ A name for the invisible problem that has been stalling their careers
  ~ The ability to translate task language into impact language that leadership responds to
  ~ A clear, repeatable structure for articulating their value in performance reviews, leadership conversations, and interviews
  ~ The knowledge that they were never behind. They simply had not been taught how to say what they do in the language that gets recognized and rewarded

  Ideal for:
  ~ Mid-level to senior women in corporate roles (Director, VP, Senior Manager)
  ~ High-performing women in finance, insurance, and structured performance-driven organizations
  ~ Women's leadership summits and ERG events
  ~ Corporate learning series and leadership development programs
  ~ Association meetings and industry conferences

  Rosie Zilinskas is a keynote speaker, Certified High Performance Coach, and StoryBrand Certified Guide. She is the Incoming President of the NSA Illinois Chapter (July 2026) and host of the No Woman Left Behind podcast.

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  Own the Interview: Preparation That Reduces Anxiety

  Rosie Zilinskas, Keynote Speaker | Certified High-Performance Coach, No Woman Left Behind

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Interviews do not have to feel overwhelming. This hands-on session gives you a practical system to prepare for any interview and show up feeling calmer, clearer, and more in control. The session also introduces free AI tools like ChatGPT for ongoing interview practice. No tech experience needed. Whether you are changing careers, preparing for a promotion, or navigating an unexpected job search, you will leave with a clear plan and renewed self-assurance. MORE >

  What attendees will walk away with:
  ~ How to build a Story Vault of accomplishments so you have clear, structured examples ready for any question
  ~ Confidence-building opening phrases to start strong and command attention
  ~ Three strategies for responding when you are unsure how to answer a question, so you never freeze or go blank
  ~ How to create a 90-Day Plan that signals readiness and forward thinking to a hiring manager
  ~ A simple pre-interview routine to manage nerves and stay grounded on interview day
  ~ Access to a custom AI interview practice coach for continued preparation after the session

  Ideal for:
  ~ Job seekers at any career stage
  ~ Career changers and professionals reentering the workforce
  ~ Mid-career professionals preparing for internal interviews or promotions
  ~ Anyone who feels anxious or underprepared walking into interviews
  ~ Libraries, workforce development programs, community organizations, and corporate learning events

  Presented by Rosie Zilinskas, a Certified High Performance Coach and former Executive Vice President who has sat on both sides of the interview table during 30+ years of corporate leadership at AIG Private Client Group.

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  Mastering Modern Resumes with AI

  Rosie Zilinskas, Keynote Speaker | Certified High-Performance Coach, No Woman Left Behind

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Hiring managers spend 6 to 10 seconds scanning your resume. That is all the time you have to make an impression. This session covers what a modern resume looks like, what has changed in the current marketplace, and how to position your accomplishments around measurable results instead of task descriptions. You will also learn how to use AI to pull strategic keywords from job descriptions and tailor your resume for each role without starting from scratch. MORE >

  What attendees will walk away with:
  ~ A clear understanding of the five essential sections of a modern resume (header, summary, experience, education, skills) and when to include additional sections
  ~ How to write a professional summary that works like an elevator pitch
  ~ How to rewrite experience bullet points using measurable, results-oriented language
  ~ Practical tips for optimizing a resume for Applicant Tracking Systems so it does not get filtered out before a human sees it
  ~ A reusable resume structure and a simple system to keep it current

  Ideal for:
  ~ Job seekers who have not updated their resume in years
  ~ Mid-career professionals preparing for a new role or promotion
  ~ Career changers who need to reposition their experience
  ~ Anyone whose resume lists tasks instead of results
  ~ Libraries, workforce development programs, professional associations, and corporate learning events

  Presented by Rosie Zilinskas, a Certified High Performance Coach and former Executive Vice President with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience, including hiring, talent development, and learning and development at AIG Private Client Group.

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  Optimizing Your Job Search with AI

  Rosie Zilinskas, Keynote Speaker | Certified High-Performance Coach, No Woman Left Behind

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  AI can speed up your job search when you know how to use it strategically. This session goes beyond the resume and covers how to use free AI tools across every stage of the job search process, from applications to networking to interview preparation. You will learn prompts that save time while keeping your unique voice, and how to build a system that creates momentum without burning you out. MORE >

  What attendees will walk away with:
  ~ How to strengthen a LinkedIn profile, headline, and job descriptions with AI-generated improvements
  ~ How to write authentic outreach and networking messages that start real conversations
  ~ How to use AI to research companies, identify roles, and explore new career paths
  ~ How to build a Story Vault of accomplishments using the Problem-Action-Solution format
  ~ A simple weekly checklist and workflow to stay consistent and organized throughout the search
  ~ Ready-to-use ChatGPT prompts for every step

  Ideal for:
  ~ Active job seekers who want to work smarter, not harder
  ~ Professionals navigating a career transition or unexpected layoff
  ~ Anyone overwhelmed by the volume and complexity of a modern job search
  ~ People curious about AI who want a practical, hands-on introduction
  ~ Libraries, workforce development programs, community organizations, and professional associations

  Presented by Rosie Zilinskas, a Certified High Performance Coach, keynote speaker, and former Executive Vice President with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience.

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  Brand Succession: The Marketing Playbook for Family Businesses in Transition

  Jennifer Fortney, Founder, Cascade Communications

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Your family business survived the hard part — building something worth passing down or selling. But when leadership transitions to the next generation or new owner, most companies keep the old brand out of loyalty to the founder. That loyalty can quietly work against the new leadership's vision, credibility, and growth as well as the direction of the company. MORE >

  Jennifer Fortney draws on 25+ years of brand and PR strategy to walk family business owners and next-generation leaders through the marketing blind spots that emerge during generational transition — and what to do about them.

  You'll learn:

  • the five warning signs your legacy brand is holding new leadership and the company back
  • a practical framework for honoring your history while building the future
  • and how to reposition your story for the customers, markets and key stakeholders

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  Think Like a CFO: Financial Strategies Every Business Leader Should Know

  Jennifer Witter, Founder and CEO, Witter Enterprise Solutions, LLC

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Strong financial leadership is essential for every successful organization, not just those in the finance department. In this presentation, Jennifer Witter shares practical insights from the perspective of a CFO to help leaders better understand financial performance, cash flow management, and strategic decision-making. Participants will learn how to interpret financial information, identify key indicators that impact business health, and make more informed decisions that support growth and stability. MORE >

  This talk is designed for executives, entrepreneurs, and managers who want to strengthen their financial awareness and lead their organizations with greater confidence.

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  AI for Business Leaders: What Executives Need to Know Now

  Jennifer Witter, Founder and CEO, Witter Enterprise Solutions, LLC

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, make decisions, and compete. This presentation provides business leaders and executives with a practical understanding of AI. What it is, how it works, and where it is already creating value in business functions such as finance, operations, marketing, and strategy. Participants will learn how AI can enhance data analysis, improve forecasting, increase operational efficiency, and support better decision-making. MORE >

  The session also addresses common misconceptions, risks, and ethical considerations, helping leaders understand how to responsibly adopt AI tools while maintaining human judgment and strategic oversight. This talk is designed for leaders who want a clear, practical perspective on how AI is shaping the future of business.

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  So You Think You Know A Lot About Babe Ruth? Let’s Find Out!

  Gary Livacari, Author and Baseball Historian

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Entertainment

  During the first half of the twentieth century, America experienced profound cultural changes. Many of those changes were the direct result of the life of one man: George Herman "Babe" Ruth (1895-1948). Author Gary Livacari is available to present a one-hour PowerPoint presentation covering the life and times of this original American sports icon. The discussion begins with Babe's early life as a neglected "incorrigible" orphan cruelly dispatched at age seven to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys by a family that didn't seem to want him. It continues through his early adulthood, highlighting his marriage to Claire Hodgson Merritt who finally gave him the stable family life that he so desperately desired. Included are many highlights from his record-setting, historic career. MORE >

  No one better personified the extravagance and excesses of "Roaring Twenties" that the great Bambino. At the height of his fame, he was possibly the most recognized and celebrated person in the world. The presentation details some of the most memorable Babe Ruth stories and fables, all illustrated with rarely seen photos. It concludes with a fun "Babe Ruth trivia quiz," followed by a question and answer session.

  The discussion will have appeal to baseball fans of all ages, but will also appeal to those who are intrigued by one of the most beloved and enduring personalities in American history. From our perspective in the twenty-first century, it's hard for us to appreciate the impact this one man had on American sports and culture. His legacy continues even now, 77 years after his death. All this and many more topics will be examined in detail.

  The presentation can also be given remotely via Zoom.

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  Build It Like a Brand, Not a Hobby

  Valeria Gershanova, Music Label Manager, MEGAO Inc.

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Too many talented people treat their passion like a side project — and then wonder why it doesn’t grow. In this powerful session, I challenge creatives and entrepreneurs to shift from hobby thinking to brand-building strategy. This talk focuses on positioning, clarity, consistency, and monetization. I break down what separates amateurs from professionals — and why branding, messaging, audience trust, and execution matter more than raw talent. Attendees will learn how to define their value, create a clear identity, structure their offers, and build something scalable instead of temporary. MORE >

  Whether you’re an artist, content creator, entrepreneur, or founder, this presentation will help you think bigger, operate smarter, and build with intention.

  Participants will leave with:
  • A clear understanding of what makes a real brand
  • A framework for positioning themselves professionally
  • Strategies to create income instead of just attention
  • The mindset shift required for long-term success

  Because if you want people to take you seriously — you have to build it seriously.

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  From Talent to Income: Turning Creativity into a Business

  Valeria Gershanova, Music Label Manager, MEGAO Inc.

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Creativity is powerful — but talent alone does not build wealth. In this dynamic and practical session, I break down how to transform skills, passion, and artistic ability into sustainable income streams. This presentation explores the shift from thinking like a creator to operating like a CEO. I share real-world strategies on branding, positioning, monetization models, audience building, and execution. Attendees will learn how to package their expertise, create multiple revenue streams, avoid common entrepreneurial mistakes, and move from hobby mindset to business strategy. MORE >

  This talk is designed for creatives, artists, entrepreneurs, and aspiring founders who are ready to stop waiting for opportunities — and start building their own.

  Participants will leave with:
  • A clear framework for monetizing their talent
  • Practical strategies to build a personal brand
  • Action steps to launch or scale a creative business
  • A mindset shift from “creative” to “creative entrepreneur”

  This is not just inspiration — it’s a blueprint.

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