Sept. 20, 2025

at Millikin University

in partnership with the Center for Entrepreneurship

Speakers

Day

1

3 Workshops

8 FOR WOMEN
WHO MEAN
BUSINESS.

Build the confidence and gain the insights you need to elevate your career, launch your ideas, scale your business, and connect with inspiring local leaders and organizations—all in one dynamic day of entrepreneurial growth!

GET YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKET

Community Speakers

Kim Fields

Franchise Owner of Papa Murphy's

Kim owns and operates seven thriving Papa Murphy’s Pizza locations in central Illinois, where she expertly combines her business acumen with her personal passions, building strong relationships within her local community. She is a seasoned entrepreneur with a deep connection to both business and nature, influenced by her growing up in South Africa.

Aly Swengel

Decatur Wellness Collective

Aly Swengel is the founder of Decatur Wellness Collective, a vibrant health and wellness center dedicated to helping Central Illinois feel their best inside and out. Aly’s mission is simple: create impactful, holistic health solutions that empower people to live healthier, happier lives.

Mia Tyus

EnRich & Founder of Power in Pumps

Mia Jackson Tyus is a visionary leader, educator, & entrepreneur with over 20 years in corporate HR and compliance. She currently leads the Entrepreneurship Program at Richland Community College and is the founder of Power In Pumps, an organization dedicated to educating, empowering, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Workshop Paths

10:40 - 11:25AM

On the day of the event, choose one workshop from what's listed below for your first workshop round!

Legal Foundations for Women in Business:
Protecting Yourself and Your Work

Led by McKensie Meadows

McKensie Meadows, Attorney at Law brings bold advocacy and business law expertise to entrepreneurs. With a background that includes time at the U.S. Department of Justice and years practicing commercial litigation in Chicago, she now offers strategic legal counsel for new ventures, contracts, and business disputes—all with a results-focused, client-centered approach.

Work Smarter, Not Harder:
AI Hacks for Busy Professionals

Led by Autumn Warren

With 20+ years in the nonprofit sector, Autumn Warren now serves as a Major Gifts Officer at Millikin University. A seasoned trainer and speaker, she discovered AI out of necessity and now shares time-saving tools to help busy professionals streamline their work and reclaim their energy

11:30 - 12:15PM

On the day of the event, choose one workshop from what's listed below for your second workshop round!

Aspire Workshop
TBD

Led by Workshop Host TBD

We're working on something powerful for our last workshop — stay tuned to find out what that will be!

Entrepreneurial Wellbeing:
Building Resilience & Confidence

Led by Libby Pasquariello

Libby Pasquariello, MSN/ED, RN, HWNC-BC, is a board-certified nurse, educator, and health coach. With 20+ years in mental health and higher ed, she now helps entrepreneurs thrive through personalized wellness strategies that center resilience, rest, curiosity, and joy.

1:15 - 2:00PM

On the day of the event, choose one workshop from what's listed below for your third workshop round!

The Power of Yes! —
Turning Ideas Into Action

Led by Jess Whitlock

Jess Whitlock is a speaker, strategist, and founder of YES HQ. With 25 years of experience and over $5B in contracts won through her guidance, she helps high-achieving women stop overthinking and communicate with confidence—saying YES to what they truly want in life and business.

Presence with Purpose –
Executive Presence & Overcoming
Imposter Syndrome

Led by Dr. Dana Ray

Dr. Dana Ray is a physician, executive coach, and Army veteran who helps leaders overcome imposter syndrome and lead with purpose. As founder of Proven Medical and former CMO, she blends lived experience, clinical insight, and grounded coaching to help others lead with clarity and confidence.

2:05 - 2:50PM

On the day of the event, choose one workshop from what's listed below for your fourth workshop round!

Navigating Career Transitions: Strategies for Career Shifts & Workforce Comebacks

Led by Lindy Taylor

Lindy Taylor is a career specialist at Millikin University who supports women through job transitions and comebacks. With a background in hospitality, entrepreneurship, and wellness, she offers relatable, real-world guidance that helps others move forward with clarity and self-trust.

Develop Your 90-Day Sales
& Marketing Plan (Using ChatGPT)

Led by Kelly Hernandez

Kelly Hernandez is CEO of Nonprofit Marketing Nerds, a boutique agency helping mission-driven organizations grow with smart, system-backed marketing. With 16 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, she knows the pressure of being overextended and under-resourced. Now, she teaches others how to simplify strategy, harness tools like ChatGPT, and build marketing plans that actually move people to action.

Get Your Early Bird Ticket!

Snag an early-bird ticket before August 30th at a discounted price!

BUY TICKET

Getting There

Millikin University | University Commons
1184 W Main St, Decatur, IL 62522

Summit FAQ's

What is the Aspire Summit?

The Aspire Summit is a one-day professional development event designed to support women at every stage of their business, career and professional journey. With engaging workshops, expert-led panels, and intentional networking, Aspire equips you to grow with clarity, confidence, and community.

Why is there a ticket cost—and what does it cover?

The Aspire Summit is a thoughtfully curated experience designed to provide real value. Your ticket helps cover meals, materials, activations, and much more. It also supports the mission of In Good Company—to create meaningful opportunities for women to connect and grow.

We’ve intentionally structured pricing to remain accessible while delivering a high-quality, value-packed experience—and many of our speakers, hosts, and partner organizations are making generous contributions to bring this event to life.

Your ticket includes:

4 curated workshops
A powerful panel discussion
Coffee + pastry bar
Catered lunch + refreshments
A swag item
Networking opportunities
Connection to local women-owned businesses
And more offerings throughout the day!

We’re incredibly grateful to the community of contributors, collaborators, and attendees who make this experience possible.

Where is the event taking place?

Millikin University | University Commons
1184 W Main St, Decatur, IL 62522
A map and entrance info will be provided.

Can I attend if I’m not a business owner?

Absolutely. Whether you’re a student, professional, creative, or curious community member—you belong here. The Aspire Summit is designed for women looking to grow personally and professionally.

What’s the difference between a Duo Ticket and a General Admission ticket?

Duo Tickets are designed for two people attending together at a discounted rate. You'll both enjoy full access to the event! We encourage you to divide and conquer, take and share notes to optimize all the information being shared. Don't forget to make new connections—even while attending with a friend!

Do I have to choose workshops in advance?

Nope! You’ll select your workshops the day of the event—it’s part of the fun (and yes, it’ll be a tough decision). We’ll post the schedules, have signage, and volunteers to help guide you.

What if I arrive late or need to leave early?

We get it—life happens! You’re still welcome to participate in the rest of the day. Just check in at the registration table when you arrive. If entering a session already in progress, please be mindful and enter quietly to avoid disrupting the speaker and attendees.

Who can I contact with questions?

Reach out anytime to Grace Ganley at connect@beingood.co or (217) 855-2601 for questions about your ticket or the event experience.

September 20th, 2025

Millikin University