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2026 Speakers
About Lori
Lori Robertson
Founder | SpeakHer Coach
Lori Robertson is an accomplished keynote speaker, story strategist and speaker coach on a mission to empower women in leadership to use their voices as a tool of influence and impact.
She came to see the incredible power of women sharing their wisdom, insights and stories when she spent 10 years producing Women of Faith, the world's largest women's live event tour. Visiting 28-30 NBA and NHL arenas each year and hosting audiences of over 14,000 at its peak, Women of Faith was a movement with million of women encouraging, inspiring and empowering women.
Lori's journey from a novice speaker to event emcee speaking to crowds of thousands was nothing short of remarkable. Since then, her captivating presence has graced stages worldwide, addressing groups of over 18,000. She speakers regularly on the topics of leadership communication, the power of storytelling for leaders and the value of building and leveraging an intentional personal brand.
As the visionary founder of SpeakerHer Coach, she's on a mission to help more women say "yes" to opportunities that enhance their visibility, maximize their impact and grow their personal brands through speaking.
Lori Robertson is not just a speaker; she's a catalyst for change, committed to empowering women to step up, speak up and lead through clear, confident communication.
About Laura
Laura Gates
President | TransLand
Laura Gates, President of TransLand, thrives on embracing fear and doubt as opportunities for growth. With 25 years at TransLand, she's risen from the accounting department to President, showcasing her strength as a leader. Under her guidance, the company has expanded its driver count, opened a new facility in St. Louis and earned recognition as one of the best fleets to drive for. Gates, a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, is committed to paving the way for future female leaders. Looking ahead, she envisions further growth in Springfield and St. Louis, alongside a deepened commitment to community outreach, including charitable contributions to organizations like Care to Learn and those supporting veterans.
About Krystal
Krystal Simon
CEO | Care To Learn
Krystal Simon, CEO of Care to Learn, begins each day with gratitude and coffee, believing in the power of positivity. With a background in the Great Game of Business and Camp Barnabas, she transitioned to Care to Learn to balance work and family life. Under her leadership, Care to Learn expanded from a $1.1 million to a $4.8 million nonprofit, aiding students over 3 million times. Simon attributes this success to her dedicated team, community support and donors. Her vision is to extend Care to Learn's reach beyond Missouri, aiming to serve more school districts and achieve further milestones in aiding children's basic needs for academic success.
About Grenita
Dr. Grenita Lathan
Superintendent | Springfield Public Schools
Dr. Grenita Lathan, Superintendent of the Springfield Public School District—the largest in Missouri—brings composure, grace and collaborative leadership to her role. With over 30 years in education, she oversees 23,500 students and 3,500 staff members. Under her leadership, Proposition S, focused on student safety and school improvement, passed with 77% voter approval. Dr. Lathan also initiated SPS University and Let’s Talk! to engage parents and the community. Despite the challenges, she navigates her career with confidence and relies on prayer and support. Driven by her passion for literacy, she cherishes the impact of quality education on children's lives. When not leading, she enjoys diving into a good murder mystery.
About Nancy
Nancy Bogart
CEO | Jordan Essentials
Nancy Bogart's journey into wellness entrepreneurship began with a simple lotion bar at craft fairs 24 years ago. Recognizing its potential, she and her husband Ron transformed the venture into Jordan Essentials, now a thriving direct sales company. Bogart takes pride in her inclusive workplace, employing her children and individuals with disabilities, fostering a joyful and supportive culture. Throughout challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan Essentials has flourished, experiencing a 23% increase in sales and finding success with products like magnesium-infused skincare, which gained traction on social media. Bogart remains dedicated to manufacturing quality products in southwest Missouri while advocating for workplace adaptability and inclusivity.
About Sarah
Sarah Adams Orr
Owner | Adams Funeral Home
Sarah Adams Orr, third-generation owner of Adams Funeral Home in Ozark and Nixa, carries on her legacy of providing comfort and support to grieving families. Growing up in the funeral business, she views services as celebrations of life. In her leadership role, she emphasizes communication and gratitude while ensuring meaningful services for families. Beyond her business, Sarah is deeply involved in her community, serving on the Ozark School Board, Springfield Ballet Board and more.
2026 Keynote Speaker PRESENTED BY CENTRAL BANK/CENTRAL TRUST
Jenny Wood
Bestselling author of Wild Courage and former Google executive Jenny Wood takes the stage at Biz 417’s Ladies Who Launch to deliver a keynote built for deeper growth.
Her message centers on the confidence to act, the permission to ask and practical tools that make courageous leadership feel possible. With an honest, energizing approach, Jenny challenges women to trust their instincts and move forward rooted in who they already are, unapologetically.
WILD COURAGE:
The Confidence to Ask, Act and Lead
In Wild Courage, Jenny flips traditional career advice on its head, reframing traits women are often told to tone down—being “weird,” “selfish,” or “reckless”—as the very qualities that fuel growth and leadership.
It’s a bold, practical guide to rooting into who you are and growing from there.
“A fresh, fearless approach to achieving your goals.”—Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project.
OFFICIAL BIO
Jenny Wood is a New York Times bestselling author of Wild Courage, former Google executive and sought-after keynote speaker. At Google, she spent nearly two decades rising through the organization, leading global operations teams and founding Own Your Career, a program that reached more than 56,000 employees across 100 countries.
Featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes and CNBC, Jenny helps leaders and teams thrive under pressure with courage, influence and impact.
Friday, August 14
Jenny Wood
The New Rules of Teamwork: Lessons from Inside Google. This intensive session covers Google-tested frameworks for building high-trust teams and optimizing collaboration.
Main Stage Keynote, presented by Central Bank/Central Trust
Wild Courage: The Confidence to Ask, Act and Lead. Bestselling author and former Google executive shares the "Confidence to Ask" framework, giving you the courage to take up space and lead with unapologetic self-trust.
2026 Keynote Speaker PRESENTED BY HUSCH BLACKWELL
Dr. Meg Myers Morgan
Bestselling author, professor and negotiation expert Dr. Meg Myers Morgan joins Biz 417’s Ladies Who Launch with a message rooted in self-worth and clarity. Drawing on her work as a professor at the University of Oklahoma, she challenges women to advocate for themselves with confidence and build leadership grounded in knowing their worth. Meg provides the tools to stop letting your calendar control your life and start making braver decisions about your time.KNOW YOUR WORTH
How to Negotiate for Everything You Want in Life and Work
In Everything Is Negotiable, Meg reframes negotiation as a life skill fueled by clarity and self-trust. She moves beyond traditional tactics to help women identify what they truly want and provides a practical framework to ask for it—unapologetically.“A must-read for any woman ready to take back her power and her time.”—Dr. Meg Myers, Success Magazine
Friday, August 14
Dr. Meg Myers Morgan
Worth Your Time: How to Own Your Calendar Before It Owns You. This workshop focuses on strategic time-blocking and reclaiming your most valuable resource: your time.
Main Stage Keynote, presented by Husch Blackwell
Know Your Worth: How to Negotiate for Everything You Want in Life and Work provides the ultimate masterclass in negotiation, teaching you how to articulate your value and secure the "yes" you deserve in your career and beyond.
2026 SPEAKERS
Meet the women moving 417-land forward. From 2026 Women Who Mean Business honorees to Remarkable Voices and more, this lineup brings together leaders, founders and rising voices from across the Ozarks.
Amber English
Women Who Mean Business Honoree Co-Owner and Founder, Pixie
Paige Tuck
Women Who Mean Business Honoree Executive Director, Synergy Recovery Center, Synergy Counseling Center and Synergy Executive
Angie Jackson
Women Who Mean Business Honoree President, Justice Furniture & Mattress
Dr. Sadaf Sohrab
Women Who Mean Business Honoree Chief Medical Officer, Mercy Springfield Communities
Brandei Clifton
Women Who Mean Business Honoree Senior Publicity Manager, Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts
Sarah Hough
Remarkable Voices Senior Manager, Community and Outfitter Engagement, Bass Pro Shops
Ettie Berneking
Remarkable Voices Media Relations & Communications Manager, Mercy Springfield Communities
Kylie Jackson
Remarkable Voices Learning and Development Manager, The Great Game of Business
Meet Your Emcee
Q&A with Publisher Logan Aguirre
We know you are passionate about building better leaders. How did that inspire you to create Ladies Who Launch?
When Biz 417 released its first Biz 100 list in 2016, we immediately heard feedback about the lack of female representation. Only 10 of the 100 leaders were women. When we asked who we missed, the answer wasn’t a list of names. It was that women simply weren’t in many of those key roles.
That was a turning point. We realized we had an opportunity to help chart a clearer path for women in leadership in southwest Missouri. In 2018, we launched the first Ladies Who Launch. This year, 23 women are on the Biz 100. That’s progress, and we’re excited to keep it going.
What is the mission of Ladies Who Launch?
Our mission today is the same as it was nine years ago. We’re here to create content, community and conversation for women in leadership in our region. Ladies Who Launch is a high-energy, positive environment focused on inspiration, tangible takeaways and meaningful connection.
What to expect in 2026?
Expect the same high-energy experience you love, with an even deeper focus on clarity, connection and growth. In 2026, we’re sharpening the flow of each day, enriching workshops and conversations and creating more intentional moments for women to learn from one another.
SINCE 2018
PAST SPEAKERS
From bestselling authors to national sports executives, Biz 417’s Ladies Who Launch speakers bring real-world perspectives to the professional and personal leadership challenges women face.- Alison Fragale, organizational psychologist and author of Likeable Badass, challenged women to claim authority without losing authenticity.
- Lara Krug, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the Kansas City Chiefs, shared what it takes to help build one of the most powerful brands in sports.
- Desireé Reed-Francois, former University of Missouri athletic director, inspired women to lead with purpose by staying rooted in their “why.”
- Sarah Knight, bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck, encouraged women to set boundaries, trust their priorities and lead without apology.
