Speaker Reel - https://vimeo.com/1082633673?fl=pl&fe=sh

Gravity Speakers Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/diane-allen

Speaker Website: https://dianeallen.com/

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Why Diane Allen?

Elevate’s audience is made up of women navigating high expectations, constant performance demands, and increasing leadership visibility across every career stage. Diane’s work meets this audience where they are by reframing leadership away from overextension and toward sustainable excellence.

Her experience as a Concertmaster is especially relevant to women in accounting and finance—leading without positional authority, aligning diverse personalities, and influencing outcomes through presence rather than force. As an opening keynote, Diane creates a grounding, confidence-building experience that unifies the room early and establishes a shared leadership mindset for the two-day forum.

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Suggested Keynote

Lead from Within: How Women Access Flow, Influence, and Sustainable Performance

What if leadership influence wasn’t about doing more, proving more, or pushing harder, but about clearly defining who you are at your best and leading from that place?

Enter the Flow State, an optimal state of mind when people feel their best and perform their best. In Flow, leaders move from fatigue and self-doubt into clarity, confidence, and purposeful action. Learning how to define and activate the Flow State is what allows women to own their presence, their voice, and their next level of leadership.

Flow State Expert Diane Allen provides repeatable frameworks that make Flow practical, accessible, and deeply human. Backed by positive psychology and neuroscience, Diane’s systems help leaders move from constant doing into intentional being, unlocking sustainable performance, agency, and fulfillment.

As a 15-year Concertmaster, Diane led over 100 musicians through high-stakes performances, aligning diverse personalities, pressures, and expectations. That same ability to lead with precision, presence, and emotional intelligence came from learning how to activate her Flow State, on demand. In Flow, she performed at the top of her talent while staying deeply aligned with her authentic strengths, a skill she now translates for leaders and teams who must influence, perform, and sustain excellence without burning out.

In this immersive keynote, Diane blends live music, neuroscience, and experiential learning to create a safe, reflective, and energizing experience. Participants don’t just hear about Flow, they feel it. They define their unique energy of influence, reconnect with purpose, and leave recharged with clarity and resolve.

• Understand the neuroscience of Flow and why it is a powerful antidote to burnout and overextension
• Define your personal gateway into Flow and how to activate it on demand
• Shift from constant doing to intentional being without sacrificing excellence
• Own your energy of influence and lead with confidence and authenticity

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Highlights

• Best-selling author of Flow: Unlock Your Genius, Love What You Do
• TEDxNaperville speaker with national media features (TED, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX)
• 15-year Concertmaster leading high-pressure, high-visibility performances
• Creator of the proprietary Flow Strategy™ framework
• Delivers immersive keynotes combining live violin performance, neuroscience, and leadership development

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^{“Diane’s ability to talk about the philosophy behind her Flow State while simultaneously communicating it auditorily through her music was an incredible combination. It translates beautifully and it’s something you won’t want to miss!” — Elizabeth Williams, Editor, Modern In San Antonio}

^{“Diane impressed us with a terrific presentation full of insight, as well as some beautiful music that truly set her session in a different league.” — Robbie Heacock, Associate Director, Stringfellow Management Group}

"Self-Leadership" Speaker Reel - https://vimeo.com/1094092346?share=copy

"Caring Leadership" Speaker Reel - https://vimeo.com/943807722?share=copy

Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/heather-r-younger

Speaker Website - https://heatheryounger.com/

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Why Heather?

Elevate is designed to help women lead with confidence, influence, and resilience—especially during periods of change. Heather’s work sits squarely at that intersection, offering a leadership model that resonates strongly within accounting, finance, and professional services environments where performance, trust, and retention matter deeply.

Heather is particularly effective for Elevate’s mixed-seniority audience. Emerging leaders gain practical tools to build confidence and self-leadership; mid-level professionals learn how to influence culture and engagement; executives receive a research-backed framework for leading through change without sacrificing results. Her message reinforces that caring leadership is not a “soft skill,” but a strategic advantage—making her a strong fit for a featured or opening keynote.

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Topics

Culture & Leadership

The High-Performance Culture Code: Where Compassion Ignites Engagement and Results

The leaders people remember most aren’t just smart — they care.

They create cultures where people feel seen, heard, and valued. And when leaders lead with care, it doesn’t just feel good — it delivers results.

In this powerful keynote backed by her book, Heather R Younger reveals how compassion, accountability, and a deep commitment to belonging fuel innovation, boost retention, and unlock peak performance. It’s a blueprint for building energized, high-performing teams — even in times of uncertainty and change.

This keynote will ignite a culture shift where compassion and high performance are not at odds—but instead, the secret to lasting success - because when people feel cared for, they care more — about their work, their team, and your mission.

Customize This Keynote:

• Select 3 behaviors from the 9 that your group could benefit from the most.
• Choose from: Belonging at Work, Listening Cultures, Team Resilience, Team Decision Making, Whole Person Leadership, Employee Empowerment, Psychological Safety, Self Leadership, Strengths-Based Leadership

This program is perfect for leaders and team members:

• Want to build an agile workplace that attracts and keeps top talent
• Are navigating change and looking to keep employees engaged and motivated
• Believe well-being is a strategy, not a soft skill
• Want to elevate their presence, emotional intelligence, and ability to inspire
• Know leadership rooted in compassion, resilience, and purpose is the future

The audience will leave with:

• A High-Performance Culture Roadmap – Practical steps to create an engaged, results-driven workforce
• Proven Strategies to Improve Employee Retention and Productivity – Reduce burnout, turnover, and disengagement
• Tangible Actions to Drive Employee Motivation & Peak Performance – Unlock discretionary effort and build loyalty
• Leadership Presence & Influence – Techniques to communicate with authenticity, empathy, and authority
• The Power of Recognition & Coaching – How small, intentional actions drive long-term commitment and success

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Leadership, Personal & Professional Growth

The Self-Leadership Imperative: Turning Personal Growth into Collective Impact

Self-leadership is the foundation of resilient, high-impact influence. It's what allows people to navigate uncertainty, bounce forward from setbacks, and model the kind of adaptability their teams need now more than ever.

In this transformative keynote based on her book, Heather R Younger empowers leaders to trade perfectionism for progress, fear for flexibility, and burnout for balance — without sacrificing performance. She’ll share actionable strategies to help leaders harness resilience as a competitive edge and unlock their full potential in the face of constant change.

And the results speak for themselves:

• 90% of top-performing employees demonstrate high emotional resilience (Harvard Business Review)
• Organizations that invest in leadership development see 2.4x higher revenue growth and 3x better retention (Deloitte)

Because when leaders lead themselves well — they elevate everyone around them.

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Highlights

• Thinkers50 Radar honoree and globally recognized leadership authority
• Founder & CEO of Employee Fanatix, advising Fortune 100 organizations
• Reviewed 30,000+ employee surveys and led 100+ listening sessions
• Two-time TEDx speaker and LinkedIn Learning instructor
• Bestselling author of multiple leadership and culture books
• Deep experience across financial services and professional services audiences

Speaker Reel - https://vimeo.com/1065285362?fl=pl&fe=sh

Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/martha-mcsally

Speaker Website - https://marthamcsally.com/

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Why Martha?

Elevate is focused on helping women lead with confidence, courage, and resilience in the face of uncertainty. Martha McSally brings unmatched credibility in this space—not theoretical leadership, but leadership forged in moments where decisions carried life-or-death consequences.

Her story resonates powerfully across career stages. Early-career attendees are inspired by her courage and perseverance; mid-level leaders gain tools for navigating pressure and complexity; executives connect deeply with her experience leading large-scale operations, building trust under fire, and making decisive calls amid uncertainty. Martha’s presence elevates the forum with gravity, inspiration, and actionable leadership clarity—making her a compelling opening or featured keynote.

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Topic

Be Unbreakable: The Leadership Edge in Uncertain Times

Lead With Courage. Adapt With Agility. Accelerate Growth.

Does your team need a battle-tested strategy to lead with confidence, adapt with agility, and turn uncertainty into unstoppable growth? Colonel Martha McSally has spent her life thriving in high-pressure, high-stakes environments—and she’s here to equip your audience with the mindset and tools to do the same.

In a world of economic volatility, industry disruption, and relentless change, hesitation can be the difference between success and failure. As the first American woman to command a fighter squadron in combat, McSally understands how to lead decisively, build trust-driven teams, and make bold moves—even in the most unpredictable situations.

A decorated fighter pilot, leadership strategist, and endurance athlete, McSally brings unmatched experience in overcoming adversity and making high-stakes decisions under extreme pressure. Beyond the cockpit, she has advised CEOs, competed in Ironman triathlons, and mastered the art of resilience—both in the battlefield and the boardroom.

McSally’s keynote is more than just inspiration—it’s a leadership game plan. She shares her WEDGE framework, a battle-tested roadmap to help leaders wake up, expand their capabilities, direct their focus, build trust, and execute with agility.

What to Expect:

Martha McSally delivers an electrifying, high-energy keynote that will have your audience ready to take action. Through powerful storytelling, humor, and real-world leadership lessons, she connects with each attendee’s challenges and provides them with a proven framework to thrive in uncertain times.

Audiences Will Learn:

• How to stay calm, focused, and confident in the face of uncertainty
• The decision-making strategies elite leaders use under pressure
• How to build trust-driven, high-performance teams that execute relentlessly
• A blueprint for shifting from reactive to strategic, agile leadership
• How to transform adversity into momentum and lead with courage

This is not just another leadership talk—it’s a call to action. No more hesitation. No more playing small. It’s time to lead boldly, adapt rapidly, and accelerate growth.

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Soar Like a Top-Gun Pilot: Leadership Lessons

Inspirational | Motivational | Actionable

Does your audience need inspiration, motivation, and actionable takeaways to push through adversity, overcome fear, and kick productivity into afterburner? Colonel Martha McSally has proven she has the right stuff to survive and excel in high-pressure, high-risk, high-stakes environments.

In today’s world of uncertainty and constant challenges, setbacks are inevitable. When your team needs motivation and practical tools to push through obstacles with innovation and resilience, Martha McSally is the leader to guide them. As the first American woman to command a fighter squadron in combat, she knows firsthand how to persevere, excel, and inspire others to succeed—even in the toughest circumstances.

A Bronze Star recipient and pioneer in aviation, Colonel McSally brings unparalleled experience leading men and women in combat, thriving in adversity, and navigating complex, high-stakes operations. Beyond her military career, she’s also an endurance athlete, mountain climber, and survivor who overcame personal tragedy and trauma with strength and determination.

With a life filled with triumphs, setbacks, and powerful lessons, McSally authentically inspires audiences while equipping them with actionable strategies to thrive. She shares how vulnerability, courage, and resilience are the keys to pushing beyond limits and soaring to your full potential.

What to Expect:

Colonel McSally will have your audience on the edge of their seats, feeling like they’re in the cockpit of the A-10 “Warthog” on a complex combat mission. Through humor, transparency, and gripping storytelling, she connects with each attendee’s personal challenges and provides a realistic yet optimistic flight plan for success—both professionally and personally.

Audiences Will Learn:

• How to face fear head-on and turn setbacks into fuel for growth
• The leadership principles needed to thrive in high-pressure environments
• Strategies for building resilience and staying mission-focused in times of uncertainty
• How to create routines and decisions that align with core values and drive success
• The power of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership and life

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Highlights

• First woman in U.S. history to fly a fighter jet in combat
• First woman to command a fighter squadron in combat
• 26-year U.S. Air Force career with six combat deployments
• Bronze Star recipient and six Air Medals
• Led $500M in assets and global operations with 24-hour deployment readiness
• Key leader in post-9/11 Afghanistan air operations and U.S. Africa Command
• High-impact keynote style combining battlefield leadership, resilience, and action‍‍