Leading with purpose

Leading with purpose

EntreCon’s visionary women and leaders are shaping the future of business

By Jennifer Harrison  /  Illustration by Getty Images

For modern business owners, leaders and creative minds, navigating growth while maintaining balance and purpose is more challenging — and essential — than ever. This year, EntreCon 2026 brings a lineup of industry pioneers, innovators and changemakers together to address these challenges. Centered on intentional investment in people, resilience and sustainable success, EntreCon offers practical strategies for leadership, workplace culture and sustainable growth.

Among the roster of speakers, women leaders are taking center stage, offering insights on reclaiming your time, scaling tech enterprises and leading with authenticity.

Reclaiming Your Time and Preventing Burnout

In a fast-paced world, burnout has become one of the most significant hurdles for modern professionals and entrepreneurs. Keynote speaker and founder of SO Productive Sarah Ohanesian understands this balance and centers her work on time management and work-life harmony.

For high-achievers looking to reclaim their peace of mind immediately, Ohanesian recommends establishing a simple daily habit: The 10-Minute Evening Cool Down.

“At the end of each day, name one to two things that would make tomorrow feel successful. Add them to your calendar for tomorrow — schedule an appointment with yourself titled with the task you want to accomplish. Then protect that time. Most high achievers fill every open minute with someone else’s priorities before naming their own. Once you know your one thing, you can say no to everything that isn’t more important.”

Ohanesian also stresses that leaders must redefine how they measure productivity. Rather than praising employees who respond to emails late into the night — which inadvertently signals that overwork is valued — leaders should celebrate progress on needle-moving priorities to build a healthy “culture of momentum.”

Pioneering Tech Innovation with Confidence

Taking the stage for the first-day closing keynote, patent-holding founder and CEO of iFOLIO Jean Marie Richardson shares her journey of building a debt-free tech enterprise. Her experience offers perspectives for women looking to scale businesses and embrace digital transformation without sacrificing human connection.

Richardson’s confidence stems from identifying a real market gap — solving fragmented enterprise communications with an all-in-one platform — rather than waiting for permission to innovate. For female founders entering competitive spaces, her advice is direct.

“Own your expertise and treat your product like a high-margin enterprise from the start. Don’t be afraid to protect your intellectual property; your unique approach is your competitive moat. Focus relentless energy on economics early on, rather than scaling noise. In today’s market, capital efficiency is king.”

Richardson reminds leaders that technology should never isolate. True innovation strengthens engagement so that human connections can thrive.

Shifting Mindsets and Leading Authentically

The influence of women leaders continues across the various breakout rooms offered during the conference.

Janice Crenshaw, Ddiv, MSN, RN, guides leaders through “The 3D Approach to Authentic Leadership,” giving attendees the tools to lead with transparency and confidence.

Stephanie Yelton, Kristin Ostro and Wanda Taylor lead sessions designed to inspire growth, resilience and mission-driven community building.

Katie Ballard sets the tone as event host, bringing warmth and structure to the two-day event.

Wisdom from Visionary Leaders

EntreCon 2026 also features perspectives from community builders and operational experts.

Quint Studer, founder of Studer Community Institute, highlights the shift needed for sustainable growth: moving from a mindset of “I have to” to “I get to.” By viewing work as a choice and opportunity, teams build cultures rooted in ownership and joy.

Julian MacQueen, founder and chairman of Innisfree Hotels, emphasizes humility and viewing service as a higher virtue.

“People will only do so much for money,” MacQueen noted. “But they will give an enormous amount of themselves for a principle they believe in.”

Bert Thornton, retired president and COO of Waffle House, Inc., shares insights on mentorship and building practical operational systems that support frontline teams.

Bob Murphy of the Escambia County clerk of court speaks on servant leadership, building high-trust teams and maintaining strong ethics through clear, open communication.

EntreCon delivers the blueprint for upscaling business, refining leadership or simply bringing more intentionality into the workspace.

Entrecon 2026

What: A professional development conference featuring leaders, creators and entrepreneurs

Where: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Place, Pensacola

When: Conference sessions take place Nov. 12-13, with the EntreCon Awards Nov. 11

Info: studeri.org/jobs/entrecon; ticket options include single passes, group discounts and VIP access

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, Nov. 12

7:30-8:30 a.m.: Doors open, badge pick-up and networking, lobby

8:30-8:45 a.m.: Welcome by Katie Ballard; opening by Matt Coughlin, Theatre

8:45-9:45 a.m.: Opening Keynote — Quint Studer and Julian MacQueen, moderator: Debbie Ritchie, Theatre

9:45-10:15 a.m.: Morning break and exhibit booths, 2nd Floor Cafe

10:15-11:15 a.m.: Keynote — “Hiring Curious Talent and Fostering a Culture of Curiosity” with Bob Murphy, Theatre

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lunch break, Entrepreneur Room

12:45-1:45 p.m.: Breakout sessions, pick one
- Leadership: “The 3D Approach to Authentic Leadership” with Dr. Janice Crenshaw, Theatre
- Entrepreneurship: Justin Beck and Doug Bates, Entrepreneur Room
- Community: TJ Johnson, Chelsea O’Shields and Margaret Richardson, moderator: Kara Bloomberg, Community Room

1:45-2:15 p.m.: Afternoon break and exhibit booths, 2nd Floor Cafe

2:15-3:15 p.m.: Breakout sessions, pick one
- Leadership: Coach Stephanie Yelton, Theatre
- Entrepreneurship: Kristin Ostro, Entrepreneur Room
- Community: Wanda Taylor, 2nd Floor Cafe

3:15-3:30 p.m.: Afternoon break

3:30-4:30 p.m.: Closing Keynote — “Believe: The Commitment, Resilience, Mindset for Growth” with Jean Marie Richardson, Theatre

4:30-4:40 p.m.: Closing announcements

5-6:30 p.m.: EntreSocial after-event, Clark Partington Office

Friday, Nov. 13

7:30-8:30 a.m.: Doors open and networking, lobby

8:30-8:45 a.m.: Welcome by Katie Ballard; opening by Matt Coughlin, Theatre

8:45-9:45 a.m.: Opening Keynote — Jake Poore, Theatre

9:45-10:15 a.m.: Morning break and exhibit booths, 2nd Floor Cafe

10:15-11:15 a.m.: Keynote — “Dominate Your Day: Stop Being Busy and Leave Burnout Behind” with Sarah Ohanesian, Theatre

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lunch break, Entrepreneur Room

12:45-1:45 p.m.: Breakout sessions, pick one
- Leadership: “The Clarity Gap” with Sarah Ohanesian, Theatre
- Entrepreneurship: “Managing AI Responsibly: Risks, Governance and Guardrails” with Justin Headley, Entrepreneur Room
- Community: Andrew Del Gaudio, Community Room

1:45-2:15 p.m.: Afternoon break and exhibit booths, 2nd Floor Cafe

2:15-3:15 p.m.: Closing Keynote — Bert Thornton, Theatre

3:15-3:30 p.m.: Closing announcements, Theatre

4-5:30 p.m.: Exclusive VIP party for VIP ticket holders, The Well

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