On Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 the RepuCare team excitedly attended the Indiana Conference for Women (ICFW) in Downtown Indianapolis. RepuCare is a proud sponsor of this conference, which impressively, is the largest one-day personal and professional development conference in the Midwest. The ICFW hosts inspiring keynote speakers, informative break-out sessions, the chance to network and connect with others, as well as a collection of free books and other resources from relevant business professionals.
RepuCare Founder and CEO Billie Dragoo-Garcia and her friend/colleague Deborah Collins Stephens are The Indiana Conference for Women co-founders. They set out to create a uniquely inspiring and educational resource for women in the Midwest. Since its inception in 2010, Billie and Deborah have turned that idea into a singular event unlike anything else offered in Indiana - serving more than 2000 people each year, the event hosts a truly diverse attendance of professionals from all walks of life.
According to the ICFW team: “Deborah & Billie believe (and research shows) that environments that foster the growth and development of a diverse workforce create healthier, more resilient communities and stronger economic growth. As a resource for the Midwest and beyond, the ICFW strives to create content and connections to empower people to create positive change in their own lives and, thus, their communities.”
The impressive list of this year’s Keynote Speakers included:
Woniya Thibeault (left) – Author of her memoir Never Alone, Woniya made history by participating (twice!) in The History Channel’s outdoor challenge series, Alone. Across her two stints in the wild, she set a new record for cumulative days on an Alone wilderness survival challenge and became the first woman to win one.
Minka Kelly (center)– Author of her memoir Tell Me Everything, Minka is an actress and philanthropist who starred as series regular Lyla Garrity on Friday Night Lights. She is also a partner with ABLE, an organization that invests in, trains, and educates women to create employment opportunities through the production and sales of clothing and accessories so they can earn a living, break the cycle of poverty and thrive. Minka is also a global ambassador for the International Fund for Animal Wildlife.
Nicole Lynn (right) – Author of her book “Agent You: Show Up, Do the Work, and Succeed on Your Own Terms”. Nicole is a major sports agent, advisor to elite athletes, top 10% law school graduate, successful author, and new mom. In 2019, Nicole became the first Black woman to represent a Top 3 NFL draft pick and only the second woman in history to solo represent an NFL first-rounder.
RepuCare’s HR Generalist Betsi Bayles offered this, as her experience of attending the ICFW: “This was my first year attending the ICFW and it exceeded every expectation I could have had. It was great to meet so many accomplished and well-rounded women throughout the day. I find myself thinking back to the keynote speakers' words often, and trying to apply their advice into my life. Overall, it was a great day of networking, conversation, and some real food-for-thought!
RepuCare is proud to be a long-term sponsor of The Indiana Conference for Women and encourages you and your teammates to join us next year in 2024; it’ll be sure to be another invigorating day of professional and personal development.