Keynote Speakers and Breakout Leaders for the
2025 Indiana Conference for Women
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2025 SPEAKERS
DAN HARRIS
MORNING KEYNOTE
Dan Harris is a fidgety, skeptical journalist who had a panic attack on live national television, which led him towards an investigative interest in mindful ambition and wellness. He went on to write the #1 New York Times bestseller, 10% Happier, followed by a chart-topping podcast, Ten Percent Happier, which ranks in the top 100. Harris, a seasoned reporter with over two decades of experience as an anchor and in the field, seamlessly weaves meditation into his narrative, highlighting its profound effects on stress reduction and clarity of thought, making it an integral part of his mission to promote well-being in the modern world.
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Renowned for his candid demeanor, journalist Dan Harris inspires others with his personal journey, emphasizing the transformative impact of a mentally resilient approach to ambitious professional endeavors. His guests have included everyone from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Brené Brown to Karamo from Queer Eye. Dan's approach is seemingly modest, but secretly radical: happiness is a skill you can train.
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Sharing poignant examples from his own life, Harris lays out the (often winding) road to personal resilience. For his work, Harris has earned an Edward R. Murrow Award and four News & Documentary Emmy Awards. His TED Talk went viral, launching a new movement in mindfulness. He has spoken at Google and shared his mindfulness practice nationally on ABC News, NPR, Good Morning America, and more.
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TINA KNOWLES
LUNCH KEYNOTE
Tina Knowles is a celebrated fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose career seamlessly blends creativity and impactful community work. Launching her professional journey as a makeup artist, hairstylist, and owner of one of the biggest hair salons in Houston, Tina quickly became the visionary fashion stylist for the iconic music group Destiny’s Child. Her design expertise expanded to crafting stunning looks for Beyoncé’s world tours, television performances, movie roles, and red-carpet events.
As a designer, Tina successfully founded three clothing lines: House of Deréon, Deréon, and Miss Tina, each reflecting her innovative approach, entrepreneurship, and signature style.
Tina’s philanthropic efforts are equally distinguished. Alongside her family, she co-founded The Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth in Houston, Texas, and spearheaded the anti-hunger initiative, Miss A Meal. Her commitment to supporting communities has extended to substantial work aiding hurricane victims and contributing to COVID-19 testing initiatives. Tina is now a #1 New York Times best-selling author, after the release of her beautiful, authentic life story, Matriarch: A Memoir from Penguin Random House.
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Tina Knowles’ legacy is defined by her blend of artistry, business acumen, and deep-rooted dedication to fostering future generations through creativity and community support.
HODA KOTB
CLOSING KEYNOTE
Hoda Kotb is recognized globally as one of America’s foremost journalists, authors, and entertainers. Most well known as the Emmy-winning former co-anchor of NBC News’ “TODAY” and co-host of “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna,” she is also the host of the popular podcast, “Making Space with Hoda Kotb,” and founder of new wellness community and platform, Joy 101.
A New York Times bestselling author, Kotb has written nine books; her latest book, “Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life” releasing this September. Kotb joined “TODAY” as a co-host of the fourth hour in 2008, alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, and recently departed following 17 successful years with the show


BONNIE HAMMER
BREAKOUT LEADER
One of corporate America’s most influential women, Bonnie Hammer has been called “the Queen of Cable” by the New York Times and hailed as “the most powerful woman in entertainment” by The Hollywood Reporter. From her start cleaning up after a four-legged TV star to her most recent role as Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, she has forged a legendary career in a turbulent, tough, male-driven industry. Now, she’s finally sharing her unconventional secrets to success.
In her timely and candid book, 15 Lies Women Are Told at Work…and the Truth We Need to Succeed, Bonnie creates a portable mentor for working women, written with humor and heart, and backed by data and research to support her points. 15 Lies shows how any woman can rise in her own work world.
EMMA HEMING WILLIS
BREAKOUT LEADER
After her husband, Bruce Willis, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, Emma Heming Willis became a passionate voice for care partners and families navigating neurodegenerative disease. With The Unexpected Journey, Emma has written the book she wishes she’d been handed on the day of Bruce’s diagnosis: a supportive guide to navigating the complicated, heartbreaking, and transformative experience that is caregiving for your loved one. Weaving her personal journey as a care partner with the latest research and insights from the world’s top dementia, caregiving, and integrative experts she offers the guidance and wisdom caregivers everywhere so desperately need to hear.
Through her storytelling and advocacy, Emma hopes to help others feel less alone on the caregiving journey. Emma is the co-founder of Make Time Wellness, a brand devoted to women’s brain health.


TISSA RICHARDS
BREAKOUT LEADER
Unlock your Leadership Potential & Eliminate Self-Doubt.
Are you waiting for your next promotion or to further your leadership career – hoping that others will just recognize your value? Are you avoiding big goals out of fear, low confidence, or lack of clarity? Whether it’s a board seat, starting your own business, a promotion, making a career pivot, you can move forward – on your terms. No permission needed.
In this timely breakout, you’ll rethink resilience, not as a “comeback skill” but as a forward-looking capability for adaptability, growth and innovation.
You’ll leave with:
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A mindset for leading through change, not reacting to it
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Repeatable habits to respond faster – and smarter – in high pressure environments
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A new framework for building resilience into your leadership
Most powerfully, you’ll leave with a confidence boost, clarity, and a new competitive edge… what Tissa calls Intentional Resilience. Her mission is to create a legion of leaders with an unshakable sense of self. She helps guide you to create personal blueprints for individual and organizational success, develop high-performance cultures, and diversify c-suites and corporate boardrooms – she has guided hundreds of diverse candidates to public and private board positions each year.
As a repeat software founder and CEO, Tissa Richards sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, fundraising and executive leadership. She has raised millions of dollars for her companies, won awards for innovation and products, and holds multiple patents for complex cybersecurity software.
Tissa’s leadership models have been embraced by global organizations and leadership teams across multiple industries. She has emerged as a prominent authority on fostering innovation, anticipating and adapting change into personal strategic advantage, and enhancing engagement and resilience at all levels.
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