Join Us for a Full Day Summit of Empowerment & Inspiration for Women in Business
September 30, 2025 9:00am - 3:00pm Hard Rock Casino, Cincinnati
$95 - Attendee Fee
Registration Fee Includes - Onsite-FREE Parking, Coffee/Water, Lunch, Vendor Faire Access
CLICK HERE to Register to Attend the ConnectHER OTR SUMMIT
The ConnectHER OTR Summit is a full day event designed to empower and inspire women in business. Featuring dynamic keynote speakers, engaging workshops, and a panel of accomplished and inspiring women, this summit provides invaluable insights, networking opportunities, and actionable strategies for personal and professional growth. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this event is the perfect place to connect, learn, and be motivated by a community of like-minded women.
Thank You to our Sponsors:
SUMMIT AGENDA
8:30 - 9:00am Attendee Check In and Vendor Booths Open
9:00 - 9:15am Opening Remarks from Julie Clayton, OTR Chamber of Commerce
9:15 - 9:45am Key Note Speaker~Stay Tuned!
10:00 - 11:00am Workshop Session #1
11:00 - 11:15am Break (Vendor Booths Open)
11:15 - 11:45am Tara Osborne, Cincy Girls Who - "Build The Thing You Wish Existed"
11:45 - 12:30pm Lunch
12:30 - 1:30pm Workshop Session #2
1:30 - 1:45pm Break
1:45 - 2:15pm Katherine Butler-Dines, Women Who Travel Abroad - Wander & Recharge: The Power of Travel for Women"
2:15 - 3:00pm Panel Discussion with Speakers and Workshop Leaders
3:00pm Head Down to Casino Bar Area for Networking
SUMMIT WORKSHOPS
Session A - Choose One
AI Glow-UP: Next Level Creativity for Your Brand
AI isn't just for automating tasks - it's a powerful tool for creativity, strategy, and efficiency. In this session, we'll explore how AI can elevate marketing beyond social media, helping you generate fresh ideas, craft compelling content, and streamline workflows. We'll discuss innovative ways to integrate AI into your daily work, making your marketing efforts smarter and more impactful. Plus, we'll cover key considerations as AI continues to evolve, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're just getting started or already experimenting, this session will inspire new ways to think about and use AI in your business. This workshop is conducted by Andrea Larsen, of UFO Performance Marketing.
The ASCEND Method®: Transforming Busy to Productivity
On our current world where news, work, and people are accessible 24/7, it can be challenging to differentiate between being busy and achieving productivity. What does a productive day even look like, with never-ending to do lists and overflowing inboxes? It is more critical now than ever for female leaders & professionals to step back and (re)define productivity and time management for their own unique circumstances, in order to avoid living a highly reactive - and likely stressful - life.
This engaging and interactive session will explore the common obstacles female professionals face in their quest to achieve productivity and peak performance. Learn the six fundamental steps of The ASCEND Method®, Peak Productivity's signature model, which provides proven strategies and systems to better manage priorities, projects, people, and the clock. Participants will leave this session with insight and inspiration to quickly implement techniques to achieve peak productivity at work and in life. This workshop is conducted by Elisabeth Galperin, of Peak Productivity.
Session B - Choose One
Discover Your PATH
The Discover Your PATH Workshop provides clarity, direction, and momentum for professionals, both in their careers and lives. This 50 minute session will give you an overview of the proprietary PATH Model (Purpose, Action, Time, Honor), complete with strategies to begin formulating your own way forward. It is perfect for high-achievers, career changers, and professionals at a crossroads who are ready to take ownership of their next steps. Join Jill McCarthy, President of Adventure Bright and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach to unlock your potential.
Power Moves: Positioning Your Brand and Business for Visibility and Growth
In a crowded marketplace, visibility is everything. This session will equip you with strategies to position your brand with clarity, confidence, and impact. Learn how to tell your story, build a strong brand identity, and attract the right clients. Whether you're launching or leveling up, discover how to stand out and grow your business with strategy and intention. This workshop is conducted by Sherry Sims, of Black Career Women's Network.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS & WORKSHOP LEADERS
JULIE CLAYTON - OTR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
A proud Cincinnati native, Julie Clayton brings over 25 years of experience in event planning and marketing to her role as Executive Director of the OTR Chamber of Commerce. Her career spans both large corporations and small businesses across the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region, giving her a unique perspective on the diverse needs of the local business community.
Julie holds a degree in Communications as well as an associate degree in Travel and Tourism. Her passion for building vibrant, connected communities is matched only by her love of the arts, travel, and reading. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 16-year-old twins and supporting local theatre.
TARA OSBORNE - CINCY GIRLS WHO
Tara Osborne is the Founder and Executive Director of Cincy Girls Who, one of Cincinnati's fastest-growing women's communities, inspiring women to step out of their comfort zones, make new connections, and explore their city. With a background in marketing, community engagement, and wellness, Tara has spent the last several years creating inclusive events that empower women to show up fully as themselves. Whether through curated experiences, local partnerships, or movement based events, Tara is passionate about helping women build meaningful friendships, be active in their community, and reclaim joy. She also serves as a Principal Customer Success Manager at Paycor, and is a featured TEDxUCincinnati Speaker for 2025.
ANDREA LARSEN - UFO PERFORMANCE MARKETING
Andrea Larsen is the COO and partner at UFO Performance Marketing, bringing 20+ years of experience in marketing, advertising, and technology. She has worked at a startup, on the client side, and at a global agency, leading strategic inititives for Fortune 25 clients. Based in Dublin, Ohio, Andrea focuses on sales, strategy, business growth, partnering with SMBs, agencies, and enterprise marketing teams. Originally from Austin, she is a computer nerd at heart and a trained opera singer. Andrea enjoys reading, gardening, cheering for Univerity of Texas sports, and spending time with her husband, two kids, and mini Australian Shepherd.
JILL McCARTHY - ADVENTURE BRIGHT
Jill McCarthy is the Founder of Adventure Bright. She is a coach and consultant who works within companies to identify and develop individuals' strengths and eliminate operational chaos. She advises managers who want to lead more effectively, creates repeatable processes for teams, and develops programs for large companies who want to maximize employee's potential.
ELISABETH GALPERIN - PEAK PRODUCTIVITY
Elisabeth Galperin is an executive coach, productivity expert and speaker/trainer who is passionate about helping professionals and leaders perform at their peak and reach their potential in all facets of life. A recovering perfectionist, she works collaboratively with clients to improve personal habits, define and implement business systems, increase productivity and consistently perform at their peak - while avoiding burn-out and overcoming overwhelm.
SHERRY SIMS - BLACK CAREER WOMEN'S NETWORK
Sherry Sims is a Career and Leadership Strategist and Founder of Black Career Women's Network (BCWN), a professional development agency dedicated to advancing Black women in the workplace through culturally attuning coaching, leadership training, and strategic career development solutions.
With over 20 years of experience as a Human Resources professional, she has led teams in Talent Acquisition and developed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, utilizing her expertise to advocate for equity and inclusive advancement.
In addition to her work with BCWN, Sherry also serves as an executive coach for several local leadership programs, including the Queen City Game Changers Leadership program, sponsored by P&G, the WE Lead Leadership program for Women by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, and the WE Ascend leadership program for Women of color, for which she has a partnership with the chamber.
Sherry's expertise and insights have been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise, MSNBC, and more. She also frequently appears on FOX19 as a career expert, sharing practical advice on workplace culture and career growth. In 2023, she was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame by the African American Chamber of Commerce in Cincinnati for her significant impact and service. She continues to guide individuals toward achieving their highest potential and supporting companies to guide individuals toward achieving their highest potential and supporting companies in their efforts to develop women leaders.
KATHERINE BUTLER-DINES - WOMEN TRAVEL ABROAD
Katherine Butler-Dines is the owner of Women Travel Abroad, a boutique travel company specializing in women-only small-group trips, and Affinity Travel Co., which plans custom travel for companies, universities, museums, and other member organizations. She has personally traveled to 34 countries and all 7 continents and loves connecting with people across cultures through food, art, and wellness practices. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she was an Operating Executive at Alpine Investors, worked for a startup in Morocco for 3 years, and got her MBA from Duke University.
EVENT FAQ
What about parking at Hard Rock Casino? Parking is on property and is FREE!
What is the cost to attend? $95 per person
Will lunch be provided? Yes, lunch will be provided, along with coffee and water throughout the day.
Is the facility handicap accessible? Yes, the entire facility is handicap accessible.
Will there be an opportunity to network? Yes, after the event, everyone will be invited to head down to one of the many Hard Rock Casino bar locations to mix and mingle.
What should I wear? Business casual is just fine or whatever you are most comfortable in.
Is there Wi-Fi access? Yes, Hard Rock Casino does offer public Wi-Fi access.
What should I bring with me? Your ID may be needed to enter the casino, a notebook and pen to take notes with, and an open mind to learn, explore, and take in information!
Will the Summit be recorded? No, the event this year is "in person" only.
CLICK HERE to Register to Attend the ConnectHER OTR SUMMIT