The Upper Keys Business & Professional Women (BPW) has announced the speaker lineup for Empower You, a full-day event for women taking place March 7 at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo.
The event is designed to educate, inspire and connect women through a diverse range of educational sessions and engaging activities throughout the day. Organizers expect more than 100 women to attend. Proceeds benefit the Upper Keys BPW Adult Women’s Scholarship Program.
Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion rower Amanda Polk will deliver the keynote address, “Striving to Be the Best in a Competitive World.” Drawing from her experience competing on the world stage, Polk will share lessons on discipline, resilience and performing under pressure and how those lessons apply to leadership and everyday life.
Breakout sessions will be led by prominent Upper Keys women from the business, nonprofit and public service sectors, with several BPW members featured among the lineup.
- Sherri Hodies, Monroe County Supervisor of Elections, and Ginette Hughes, past president of the Upper Keys League of Women Voters, will co-present “Making Your Vote Count in 2026: What You Need to Know Now to Be Prepared,” offering essential information on voter registration, the election process, critical deadlines and the best ways to learn about the candidates running for office this year.
- Rose Littlejohn, adjunct professor at the College of the Florida Keys and an executive coach, will present “Ask Like You Mean It: The Power of Negotiating with Confidence.” The session will offer practical tools to help women advocate for themselves in salary negotiations, contracts and leadership opportunities.
- Becky Wagner, CEO and founder of Iris Blue Technology, will lead “Reclaim Your Time: AI That Actually Works for Busy Professionals.” Wagner will demonstrate simple, practical ways to use artificial intelligence to streamline work and free up valuable time.
- Transformational success coach Martha Wilson will present “Get Your Weekend Back: Three Hidden Reasons Why Your Calendar May Be Setting You Up to Fail.” Her interactive workshop will focus on strategies for getting the important things done and making time for life beyond work.
- Dr. Sue Woltanski will speak on “Advocacy in Action: Lessons Learned on the Front Lines.” She will share insights from her experience in public service and community leadership, offering guidance on how women can effectively advocate for themselves, others and the causes they care about.
- Dr. Mary Woods, family medicine physician, and Kate Banick, executive director of the Good Health Clinic, will host “Hormone Happy Hour.” This conversational session will address common questions about hormones, menopause and women’s health, providing practical information women can use at different stages of life.
Patricia Milian, president of Upper Keys BPW, said the slate of speakers and topics reflects the organization’s focus on all aspects of women’s lives.
“Like BPW, Empower You offers something for every woman regardless of age, life stage, or personal priorities and interests,” said Milian. “Women are not one-dimensional, and that’s reflected in the day’s programs and activities.”Seating is limited at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center. More information is at upperkeysbpw.org/empoweryou.
