All Topics in Chicago

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  • What You Eat and How It Affects the Climate Crisis

    Cynthia Linton, Chair, Climate Reality Project: Chicago Metro Chapter

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate

    Diet and food waste are two major drivers of greenhouse gases that cause the planet to warm. Learn the facts about food impacts and have a lively discussion about how you would be willing to change your diet to fight climate changes.

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  • What to Do when you have NO IDEA What to Do: Reconnecting to your Purpose

    Gabby Rosely, Consultant, Gabby Rosely LLC

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Motivational

    You feel stuck, uninspired, unmotivated, & you're asking yourself - what do I do now? Maybe you're working a job you don't care about, maybe your relationship feels unfulfilled, maybe you're craving a new hobby... the point is, something is missing and you feel it - every single day. MORE >

    In this keynote / workshop, I break down the actionable steps (in the workshop we actually go through them together) to reconnect to your purpose, your gifts & talents, and how to take aligned action EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T feel like it, in the direction of your vision.

    When we feel stuck, it's usually a lot deeper than "what we're doing" & "what we're not doing" - this is an opportunity to connect to your heart, your dreams, & ground them into reality in ways that feel inspiring AND realistic.

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  • What is the difference between a CFO and a Bookkeeper?

    Barrett Willich, CFO, Bear & Kenmore LLC

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

    Are you not getting the financial insights you feel you need to run your business efficiently? It could be because you are working with a bookkeeper, controller, or accountant, and not a CFO. A CFO looks at the business implications of financial decisions and makes recommendations on how to become more profitable. Bookkeepers, controllers, and accountants help keep the accounting correct, but rarely dig deeper into business implications. In this presentation, we will walk you through the key differences so you can determine who you need on your team. MORE >

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  • What Happens After the Paychecks Stop? A Retirement Income Primer Seminar

    Roger Smith, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial

    Examine how to budget for retirement expenses, potential sources of retirement income and potential risks such as LTC and health care costs.

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  • What can I do to reduce my climate footprint and how effective is it?

    Dorelle Ackermann, Activist, Pachamama Alliance: Chicagoland Co-Hearts

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate

    Are you concerned about our warming planet want to do your part to create a sustainable future? Is it possible to have a thriving economy today and protect our planet? According to Hannah Ritchie, a data scientist, it is! Now, let's learn how we, as individuals, can make this happen. Using Project Drawdown's "Explore" we will follow the science in choosing measurable actions to consider. Next, we will recognize that respectful conversations are key to magnifying our individual actions into community actions that will bend the warming curve down.
    This presentation will explore the work of Jonathan Foley (Project Drawdown), Hannah Ritchie (Our World in Data) and Katharine Hayhoe (Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy) to give participants the information and resources they can use to create meaningful change. MORE >

    The presentation will end by creating a group "word cloud" to remind us that in the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
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  • Vision – See Yourself There “Before” You Get There!

    Cherise N Ragland, Producer, Actress, Public Speaker, Author

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Motivational

    Cherise Nicole speaks from a chapter in her book, "You Can Soar" on Vision! Vision is the faculty or state of being able to see. Cherise encourages participants to get a vision for their future. Without vision you can't see where you're going. When you receive a vision and idea, or a dream, it's BIGGER than you! It's for the betterment of others you're being entrusted to care for it and nurture it just like a baby. Her motto is, if you can "see" it, you truly can achieve it! MORE >

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  • US – China Trade War

    Bill Liu, President, NaviAsia Advisors

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

    US President Donald Trump has complained about China's trading practices since before he took office in 2016. The US launched an investigation into Chinese trade policies in 2017. It imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese products last year, and Beijing retaliated in kind. MORE >

    The trade war between the two largest economies shows no sign of easing. What's next? Who will blink first? This presentation will guide you through the trade war and lead you to rethink the future of US-China relationship.
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  • Updates, Results and Protocol

    Chris Heuman, Practice Leader, RISC Management and Consulting, LLC

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

    The schedule, process, protocol and results thus far of the HIPAA Audit Protocol will be discussed. The talk will include historical information and the top three preparatory steps an organization can take in case of an audit.

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  • Unlocking Social Security: Strategies for a Confident Retirement

    Gregory Kurinec, CFP®, Certified Financial Planner

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial

    Are you or someone you know ready to begin receiving Social Security? If you are going to collect Social Security benefits in the next 10 years you should attend this educational session. In this session, you will learn: MORE >

    • When to take benefits - sooner or later?
    • Working while getting benefits
    • Taxation and Social Security
    • Spousal Benefits

    Learn what you need to know to maximize the benefits you have earned!

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  • Unlock The Leader Within ~ Conquering 3 Saboteurs to Dramatically Advance Your Career

    Rosie Zilinskas, Founder & CEO, No Woman Left Behind

    TOPIC CATEGORY: Motivational

    Many ambitious, high-performing women in the corporate world still find themselves asking, “Why am I not further along?” MORE >

    The truth? It’s not because they lack talent—it’s because they’ve unknowingly internalized limiting beliefs that keep them quiet, overcommitted, or stuck in waiting mode. In this powerful and practical keynote, Rosie Zilinskas reveals the 3 hidden saboteurs that silently hold women back from the visibility, leadership, and advancement they’ve earned.

    Drawing from her 30+ years of experience as a Fortune 500 executive, Rosie delivers a bold wake-up call—and a compassionate roadmap—for women ready to take ownership of their careers. Her interactive and story-driven delivery resonates deeply with women across industries and leadership levels.

    Whether you’re planning a women’s leadership summit, corporate learning series, ERG event, or DEI initiative, this keynote creates momentum that lasts long after the applause.

    🎯 What Attendees Will Walk Away With:
    ~ Clarity on what’s holding them back—and the language to stop it in its tracks

    ~ A simple but powerful mindset shift: “Campaigning for Me”—so they start owning their value instead of waiting to be chosen

    ~ The confidence to speak up in rooms that matter—even if they’re still working on believing they belong there

    ~ A renewed sense of career direction and the next right move using Rosie’s Custom Career Roadmap framework

    ~ Most importantly, they’ll walk away knowing: they’re not behind—they’re just getting started

    👥 Ideal for:
    ~ Mid-level to senior women in corporate roles

    ~ Women returning to the workforce or pivoting within their organizations

    ~ High-potential talent looking to grow into leadership

    ~ Mixed-gender audiences focused on inclusion, equity, and leadership development

    ~ College and post-college professionals preparing for or entering the workforce

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