Breakout Sessions
Discover our incredible breakout sessions that are designed to enhance your ability to communicate, connect, and lead from a place of empowerment.
Storytelling for Leadership
Sue Grey
President and CEO of United Way of Champaign County
Sue has been a member of the United Way of Champaign County team since June 2006. Sue has over 38 years of experience working with the community bringing people and resources together to make lasting change and positive impact in our community.
Before joining United Way, Sue worked at Champaign Park District organizing community events, managing volunteers and working with the Board of Commissioners. Sue also spent three years with the Green Meadows Girl Scout Council as their CEO.
As a “Townie”, Sue has developed great community contacts and mobilizes those resources to better the quality of life for those in need in Champaign County. Sue is a member of Chapter HI PEO, an Alpha Phi Alumnae, class member of Leadership Illinois 2019. Sue was elected to the Champaign Unit 4 School Board in April of 2007 and again in 2011. She served as Board President for two years. Since 2020, Sue has served on the Board of Visitors for the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois.
Sue was a recipient of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Athena® Award in 2005. In 2012 she was selected as A Woman of Distinction by the East Central Illinois Girl Scout Council. In 2022, Sue was honored as a Distinguished alum from the Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation. Sue most recently received an Honorary Degree from Parkland Community College, in recognition of her service to the community.
Sue is married to Tom and has three children, Randi, Ryan and Catie and three grandchildren.
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Storytelling for Advancing Your Career
Emma Andruczyk
Emma Andruzcyk is the Associate Director for Engineering Career Services at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Grainger College of Engineering. She has been working in higher education for almost 15 years, 10 of which have been in career services. Emma is passionate about coaching others, and helping them find special ways to storytell their skills and experiences.
Talking about ourselves can be difficult, especially when trying to highlight our relevant skills and experiences to advance our career. We will discuss what are the skills that employers really value, how to reflect on your experiences that showcase those skills, and finally how to put that all together to tell your story, and truly stand out.
Storytelling for Your Mental Mindset
Dr. Stephanie Stewart-Cockrell
Dr. Stephanie Stewart-Cockrell is the Founder and Director of The Well Experience Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting minority families, with a focus on the needs of Black women and girls. Through programs that build confidence, empowerment, mental health awareness, and social connection, she has created a circle of support for women, children, and families. Stephanie also founded Girls to Life, a mentoring program designed to inspire and motivate minority girls. With 15 years in family services and more than a decade in education, she is passionate about equity, advocacy, and creating sustainable change for People of Color. Honored with the Pearls of Wisdom Award from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Stephanie is recognized as a leader, mentor, speaker, and visionary committed to making a positive impact.
Stories shape how we see ourselves, each other, and what’s possible. In this session, Dr. Stephanie Renae shows how to use story as a trauma aware tool for clarity, connection, and coping. We’ll practice a simple framework: Notice · Name · Narrate to move from “what’s wrong with me?” to “what happened to me, and what helps me heal?” Expect short guided prompts, a two minute “story lab,” and practical dos and don’ts for telling true stories without triggering harm. You’ll leave with a way to reframe struggle into strength, and community practices that make space for honesty, dignity, and hope.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
Storytelling For Fixing The Funny Bone
Jennifer Keith
Forget flying, invisibility or teleportation - the best superpower to covet is humor. Jennifer Keith’s superpower has been and always will be humor - in many forms. As a Certified Humor Professional, past president of the international Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, and veteran high school teacher, Jennifer discovered the brain remembers two things - trauma and humor. We all have trauma, and if we have to have one, why can’t we have both?
Jennifer has degrees in English, journalism, theatre, technology, and educational leadership, proving that she doesn’t want to nor should any of us grow up or stop learning. This published author and TEDx speaker encourages you to take funny bone breaks - integrating humor into daily life, career, and family situations which can transform situations from barely tolerable to memorably positive. Jennifer is excited to add the Power of Storytelling Conference to her extensive resume of educating and laughing at the same time.
Storytelling for Prioritizing Your Pretty
Jacquelyn Monroe
Jacquelyn Monroe is the CEO of S.P.E.A.K.S. Health Club and the first black female health club owner in Champaign-Urbana. An entrepreneur, veteran, and mother of three, she also serves as part-time faculty lecturer in Natural Sciences at Parkland College. Jacquelyn is a certified personal trainer, group fitness innovator, and holds a Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics: Nutrition Education from Eastern Illinois University. She proudly served nine years in the United States Army Reserves and continues to inspire through her leadership, teaching, and dedication to wellness.
Learn to prioritize your pretty in this interactive breakout session geared to boost your self-efficacy through journaling and light physical movement.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Storytelling For Proving to Yourself
Dr. Dana Ray
Dr. Dana Ray is a board-certified family and addiction medicine physician, executive coach, and the founder of Proven Medical and Executive Coaching—a direct primary care clinic in Central Illinois that focuses on a holistic approach to health and wellness. She was previously the Chief Medical Officer of Crossing Healthcare and Medical Director for Inpatient and Outpatient Addiction Services. With wide-ranging experience as a physician leader, veteran, and parent, Dana helps clients gain clarity, confidence, and connection while dealing with personal and professional challenges.
She offers executive coaching through her clinic and the Indiana University Physician MBA Program, supporting physicians in building meaningful, sustainable careers. Her coaching also extends to nonphysician C-suite leaders, helping them improve work-life balance and leadership skills. Drawing from her personal experiences —as a Chief Medical Officer, Army Reserve veteran, mother, and community advocate—Dana brings empathy and insight to her coaching relationships. Her style encourages personal and professional harmony through active listening, thoughtful questions, and practical solutions. Clients appreciate her grounded presence, clear guidance, and ability to help them lead with purpose in all areas of life.
In this breakout session you will reframe past challenges, highlight wins, embrace imperfections to create a narrative of progress, and imagine future success.
Storytelling For Your Personal Vision
Megan Farkas
With 16 years of experience as an art teacher, Megan Farkas is passionate about making creativity accessible to all. She is the founder of CU Create, a family friendly Art Studio (opening soon) dedicated to building connection, self-expression, and joy through the creative process. Her greatest goal is to foster an environment that allows children and families to explore, grow as artists, all while deepening their love for art.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll use the art of collage to reflect, dream, and design a visual representation of your personal story and aspirations. Guided by Megan Farkas, an experienced art educator and founder of CU Create, you’ll explore how images, words, and design elements come together to form a vision board that inspires clarity and intention. No prior art experience is needed, just an open mind and a willingness to create. Leave with a meaningful piece that celebrates your journey and empowers your next chapter.
OPTIONAL BREATHWORK SESSION
Breathwork Session
Mary Wolters
Mary Wolters has been practicing yoga since 1997 and teaching since 2001, studying with master teachers around the world. Deeply inspired by her Prana Vinyasa Flow training with Shiva Rea, who taught her to “move like water” and gifted her the name “Merry Waters”, Mary weaves movement, meditation, and mindfulness into all her work. A licensed massage therapist and accredited Thai Yoga Massage Therapist since 2005, she has studied in with living masters and explored a wide range of modalities, including Ashiatsu Deep Tissue massage therapy and Lazy Man’s Yoga. She founded Green Yoga Spa in 2009, where she continues to offer healing through massage, yoga, and meditation.
Passionate about lifelong learning, Mary completed her Yoga Alliance certification in 2007 and has continued to expand her practice through meditation, mindfulness, and Non-Violent Communication. She has shared meditation at the University of Illinois’ Spurlock Museum since 2013 and brings the wisdom of yoga’s 5,000-year-old tradition into the present moment with compassion and joy. Whether through touch, movement, or words, Mary’s work is rooted in helping others connect more deeply to themselves and to life.
Don't Miss Out
The Power of Storytelling Conference is an opportunity you simply can't afford to miss. Secure your ticket now and immerse yourself in a world of inspiration, learning, and connections. Join us for this transformative event, where you'll discover the strength of your own narrative, forge meaningful connections, and empower yourself to drive positive change both personally and professionally. Let the power of storytelling guide you on a journey of self-discovery and celebration of the incredible impact of women's voices.
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The contents, experiences, and opinions shared by the speakers and presenter at the conference are their own and do not reflect the views of The She Said Project.
The She Said Project upholds that every woman has a right to be heard.