b'CONNECTINGHighlights from WIB 2024On Thursday, June 13th, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce held its seventh annual WomenThe event saw a tremendous turnout,On that panel was: in Business conference at thewith over 150 attendees and multiple (Moderator)exhibitor booths for networking.Denise Schoenbachler, Ph.D., NIU Center in Naperville. Throughout the day, we wereInterim Dean, Northern Illinois addressed by a variety of outstandingUniversity College of Business speakers, and each session was followed by a Q&A segment.PanelistDr. Nakia Alexander-The President and CEO of theHall, Leadership Coach & Illinois Chamber, Lou Sandoval,Owner, Next Level Core opened the conference by warmlySolutions welcoming all attendees to the PanelistAnna Haghooie, Conference. Managing Director, Valtruis, Elaine Hand, owner ofOperating Partner, Welsh Innerview, Inc., was our first speakerCarson, Anderson & Stowof the day. Elaine had the attendees PanelistSheri DeShazo, up and motivated with her interactivePresident, Advocate Sherman presentation on Strike the RightHospitalBalance: Nature vs. Nurture. Its always an enjoyable start to theOnce the panel discussion concluded, conference when Elaine takes thethe attendees took a short break to stage. visit the exhibitor tables and connect Following Elaine, we heardwith fellow conference attendees.from a fantastic lineup of speakersAfter the break, we heard sharing their personal experiences,from Andrea Beach, founder A fantastic line-up for our panelboth positive and negative, andand chief executive officer of discussion with ( l to r) moderator Deniseperspectives on what they wish theyseveral companies, specializing in Schoenbachler, Interim Dean, Northerncould have done differently.custom software and mobile app Illinois University College of Business;The women spoke about thedevelopment. Andrea presented panelist Dr. Nakia Alexander-Hall,things they would tell their youngerstrategies for diffusing emotional Leadership Coach & Owner, Next Levelselves if they could do it all overconfrontations and knowing when Core Solutions; Anna Haghooie, Managingagain.and what to communicate for the Director, Valtruis, and Sheri DeShazo,most impact in the workplace.President, Advocate Sherman Hospital We heard from Ashley Davis, owner of Stronger Together Fitness 14ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER'