WIHL Conference 2025 
Schedule

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Attendee Registration Opens

9:30 a.m - 9:45 a.m.
Welcome to WIHL Conference 2025!
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9:45 a.m. - 10:15a.m.
Opening Keynote: Jaclyn Gallo 
Get Your Hopes Up: Reclaiming Confidence, Courage and the Power of Possibility at Work
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Somewhere along the way, we were taught to protect ourselves from disappointment. Don’t get your hopes up. Don’t take the risk unless you know you’ll succeed. Many of us learned through experience that hoping can hurt. But that mindset doesn’t move you forward—it keeps you stuck. In this keynote, Jaclyn Gallo encourages participants to recognize how past disappointment may be keeping you from showing up fully, trade self-protection for possibility, and explore why hope isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s the foundation for real resilience. It’s time to stop playing it safe and start expecting something better. It’s time to get your hopes up.

10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. 
Morning Session + Icebreaker:

​10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Morning Vendor Break
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11:00 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. 
Morning Breakouts 
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​Morning Breakout #1
​Princess Castleberry
The Truth is in the Trigger

Decode the triggers driving your stress, burnout and leadership decisions with this story-rich session. Princess Castleberry takes you on an interactive discovery where you'll learn the four hidden behaviors that silently shape your reactions and decisions, tactics for identifying your own personal and professional triggers before they spiral, and a practical framework to interrupt burnout cycles and rebuild capacity from the inside out. You'll walk away with tools to help you respond to pressure with intention and reclaim your energy in a bold way! 

Morning Breakout #2 
Kalin Sheick
Focal, Filler & Flair: Flower Design Demo & Workshop

Bloom with up-north entrepreneur Kalin Sheick for a hands-on workshop designed to coax your creativity into life. Learn how to design florals like a pro AND craft an intentional life. This design demo shares tips and tricks for shopping for florals and decorating with them at home. It will leave you inspired to look at every arrangement differently - and change how you look at life! 

Breakout #3 
Andrea Kerbuski, Jasprit Kaur, Shannon Westblade
How to Boost Your Business on Social Media

Learn new insights on how to grow your brand, promote your business, and become more adept with the social platforms of the day. This panel discussion is designed for businesses of all sizes and for professionals of all interests. 

Breakout #4:
Pure Michigan: Steph Castelein, Kate Lieto, Sammie Lukaskiewicz, Brittney Primeau, Kelly Wolgamott
Future-Proofing by Telling a Brand-New Story

The way we tell stories in travel marketing is evolving – and fast. We face growing pressures from shifting traveler expectations, land stewardship and the need for meaningful cultural connections, the old playbook no longer applies. This session will explore how the travel industry can future-proof their brand by rethinking their storytelling strategies.
 
We’ll dive into how authenticity, community-led narratives and experience-driven content are reshaping how travelers engage and create loyalty with a place. Panelists will also explore the role of brand partnerships, sustainability and earned media in building resilient, resonant brands – along with how to navigate the unexpected through smart, prepared content strategies.

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12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
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1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
PM Session: Kalin Sheick
Built to BLOOM
​In a session that's both inspirational and actionable, Kalin Sheick tells the story of how her life imploded overnight - literally. A near-death experience forced her to confront the brutal truth: success had come at the cost of her soul. What came next wasn't a comeback. It was a complete rewrite. In this unapologetic session, she reveals how to actually prioritize what matters, say no to the hustle trap, and finally BLOOM into the life you were meant for

1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Afternoon Vendor Break
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1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. 
Afternoon Breakouts 

Breakout #1:
​Princess Castleberry
The Truth is in the Trigger

Decode the triggers driving your stress, burnout and leadership decisions with this story-rich session. Princess Castleberry takes you on an interactive discovery where you'll learn the four hidden behaviors that silently shape your reactions and decisions, tactics for identifying your own personal and professional triggers before they spiral, and a practical framework to interrupt burnout cycles and rebuild capacity from the inside out. You'll walk away with tools to help you respond to pressure with intention and reclaim your energy in a bold way! ​

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Breakout #2:
Jen Julien & Liz Ware
Snowmobiles & Horsepower

Join two trailblazers who have taken Michigan's up-north hospitality to new heights for an exciting and energetic conversation about real leadership. Jen Julien is the co-founder and co-owner with husband Jon of BraveWorks, a hotel and economic development firm that is reshaping the landscape in the Upper Peninsula. Liz Ware is the Vice President of Marketing at one of Mackinac Island's most storied icons, Mission Point Resort, which she co-owns with her family, but her passion and work on behalf of the industry extends to every corner of the state. 

Breakout #3: 
Chef Lakisha Harris
All Souls Are Not the Same

Prepare to be inspired! Chef LaKisha Harris brings her energy and spirit to the 2025 Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference. Overcoming odds and embracing her purpose, Chef LaKisha Harris knows a thing or two about making the most perfect fried chicken - but she's also a trailblazer in more ways than one.

Breakout #4
Beth Hussey & Jean Lanfear 
A Fireside Chat: Why Good Training Matters

Beating burn-out in a high-intensity industry starts at the beginning. With over 35 years of experience in hospitality leadership long-time restaurant owner Beth Hussey knows firsthand that running a successful restaurant means more than serving good food; it's about people. Applying her years of industry knowledge and real-world experience, Beth founded Shifty, a groundbreaking training app that empowers restaurants to train smarter, work better, and keep great people longer. Jean Lanfear, a decades-long hospitality leader who built Human Resources departments from the ground up and serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for an 108-unit sports bar chain, joins Beth for an in-depth look at how to better support teams through intentional training. ​

Breakout #5
Jaclyn Gallo
The Vision Board Workshop

The Vision Board Workshop is an interactive program where life coach and author Jaclyn Gallo helps attendees find clarity on their goals and create an action plan to bring their vision to life. In the workshop, Jaclyn teaches goal-setting strategies for career and life, guiding attendees to set priorities and develop concrete next steps through journaling exercises and group discussions. In this session, Jaclyn inspires audiences to craft a clear vision for their goals, dream bigger and go all in on the things that spark a light inside of them.​

2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. 
Afternoon Break 

2:45 p.m. - 3:30p.m. 
Closing Keynote: Geralyn Gaines
Keeping It G: Your Voice. Your Power
This talk centers on self-advocacy as a foundational leadership skill that equips you to show up with clarity, set the tone for exceptional experiences, and build meaningful relationships that fuel connection and trust. You’ll walk away with practical tools to communicate with confidence and lead with purpose.

​3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. 
Cocktail Reception
Grab a drink, a snack, your notes from the day, and connect with your industry peers who are dedicated to advancing the mission of WIHL!

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