SCHEDULE
Updated: August 6, 2026 | Subject to Change
All Events are at the Marriott Marquis Chicago Unless Otherwise Noted
Day 1 | Monday, September 21, 2026
7:30 am–12:00 pm
Registration Desk Hours
7:30 am–8:30 am
Rise n’ Shine Breakfast
8:30 am–8:45 am
Welcome Remarks
8:45 am–9:30 am
Opening Keynote
9:30 am–10:00 am
Future Ready
The future of aviation is being shaped by artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, evolving workforce expectations and an increasingly dynamic business environment. As these forces continue to transform how organizations operate and compete, leaders must be prepared to anticipate change, embrace innovation and build organizations that are ready for what is next. This session will examine the trends redefining leadership, workforce strategy and organizational success, plus explore the opportunities, risks and practical implications of emerging technologies.
Participants will gain insights into the knowledge, skills and capabilities individuals and organizations should develop to remain agile, competitive and future-ready in an industry that continues to evolve.
10:00 am–10:10 am
Wellness Break
10:10 am–10:30 am
Networking Break
10:30 am–11:30 am
The Executive Brand Advantage
Your executive brand is built long before the next opportunity arrives. Whether you are pursuing executive leadership, growing your business, seeking board service or expanding your influence, your reputation, visibility and credibility shape how others perceive your leadership and potential. In this interactive workshop, participants will assess their current executive brand and explore practical strategies for intentionally strengthening their professional presence through thought leadership, strategic networking, industry engagement, speaking opportunities and purposeful visibility.
Participants will leave with a personalized action plan to build an authentic executive brand that positions them for future opportunities and lasting influence within their organizations and across the aviation industry.
11:30 am–12:00 pm
Own Your Next Move
Career and business growth rarely happen by chance; they are shaped by intentional decisions, meaningful relationships and the ability to recognize and pursue opportunities aligned with your goals. Whether you are preparing for executive leadership, exploring a new opportunity, growing your business or considering your next career move, this session will provide practical strategies to navigate barriers, build strategic relationships, evaluate opportunities and make confident decisions that support long-term success.
Through executive insights and real-world experiences, participants will gain practical guidance to take ownership of their career journey and intentionally shape what comes next.
12:00 pm–1:30 pm
Networking Lunch
1:30 pm–2:30 pm
Lead with Presence
Leadership presence is more than confidence; it is how you communicate, influence and inspire trust in the moments that matter most. Whether leading a meeting, presenting to executives, navigating difficult conversations or building professional relationships, the way you show up shapes how others experience your leadership. In this engaging masterclass, participants will learn practical techniques for strengthening executive presence, communicating with greater confidence and increasing their leadership influence through authentic communication, executive presence and purposeful interactions.
Participants will leave with actionable strategies they can immediately apply to elevate their leadership presence, strengthen their credibility and lead with confidence in high-impact professional situations.
1:30 pm–2:30 pm
The Weight We Carry
Leadership does not happen in isolation. Many professionals are simultaneously leading teams, caring for aging parents, raising children, supporting extended families and managing their own well-being, all while striving to excel in their careers. The weight of these responsibilities can be both rewarding and overwhelming. Through an authentic conversation, panelists will share personal experiences, practical strategies and lessons learned for setting healthy boundaries, managing competing priorities, asking for support and sustaining well-being without sacrificing professional growth.
Participants will leave with practical tools and renewed perspective to care for themselves as they care for others while building a leadership journey that is both successful and sustainable.
1:45 pm–2:30 pm
Executive Decision Lab
Many leaders aspire to executive leadership, but executive success is not defined by having all the answers; it is defined by how you think through the toughest ones. This highly interactive session challenges participants to test their thinking against experienced executives as they navigate realistic leadership scenarios with no perfect answers. Participants will evaluate complex situations, compare their approaches with peers and hear how executive leaders analyze the same challenges. Rather than focusing on the “right” answer, the discussion will reveal strategic thinking, trade-offs and judgment behind executive decision-making.
Participants will leave with sharper strategic thinking, greater confidence and a deeper understanding of what it takes to think like an executive leader.
2:30 pm–2:50 pm
Networking Break
2:50 pm–3:00 pm
Wellness Break
3:00 pm–3:45 pm
The Leadership Retention Gap: Why Women Stay. What Makes Them Leave.
Organizations across the aviation industry continue to invest in attracting exceptional talent, yet many talented women still choose to leave or are lost during periods of organizational change, restructuring and shifting workforce priorities. While retention is often viewed as an HR challenge, it is fundamentally a leadership, policy and organizational strategy issue.
This session will examine the factors that influence why women stay or leave and how leadership, workplace culture, organizational policies, career development and strategic decision-making shape long-term commitment. Through multiple executive perspectives, participants will explore practical strategies for building workplaces where talented women can thrive, grow and choose to build lasting careers.
3:45 pm–4:45 pm
AMAC ALC Fireside Chat
Description Coming Soon!
4:45 pm
Closing Remarks
5:00 pm–6:00 pm
Speed Mentoring (Add-on/No Additional Fee)
A dynamic, fast-paced mentoring experience designed to spark meaningful connections and ignite career insights. In this 90-minute session, participants will rotate through 10-minute conversations with an accomplished group of leaders and changemakers, each bringing a wealth of expertise and perspective. It’s a unique opportunity to engage directly with some of the industry’s most respected professionals—ask questions, gain valuable guidance and walk away with practical guidance that you can act on. Whether you’re seeking advice, clarity or a confidence boost, this session is your runway to growth.
SignUpGenius — Speed Mentoring Meeting Sign-Up Form: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/WIAS2026-SpeedMentoringSignUp#/
6:00 pm–7:30 pm
Circle of Influence Reception
Sponsored by
Day 2 | Tuesday, September 22, 2026
7:30 am–12:00 pm
Registration Desk Hours
7:00 am–8:00 am
Rise n’ Shine Breakfast
8:00 am–8:05 am
Welcome Remarks
8:05 am–8:50 am
Still, I Rise
Life and leadership inevitably bring setbacks, disappointments and moments that test our resolve. Whether facing personal adversity, professional obstacles, unexpected change or self-doubt, resilience enables leaders to move forward with strength and purpose. Through candid conversations and personal stories, this session will explore how accomplished leaders have persevered through difficult seasons, found purpose in adversity, and emerged stronger.
Participants will gain practical insights for building resilience, maintaining perspective during challenging times and leading with courage and confidence. Whatever stage of your personal or professional journey you are in, this session will encourage you to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and remember that setbacks do not define your future.
8:50 am–9:50 am
The Power of the Pivot
Career journeys rarely follow a straight path. Whether your next chapter is driven by opportunity, organizational change, or personal choice, successful pivots require intentional strategy, adaptability and a keen sense of identity. In this engaging panel discussion, accomplished leaders will share the pivotal moments that reshaped their careers, the lessons they learned and how those experiences opened new opportunities.
Participants will gain practical insights into leveraging their existing strengths, recognizing new possibilities and navigating career transitions with confidence while remaining authentic to their leadership values. Whether you are pursuing your next opportunity or responding to unexpected change, this session will help you view pivots as catalysts for continued growth and impact.
9:50 am–10:10 am
Networking Break
10:10 am–11:15 am
From Insight to Impact
The true value of a leadership summit is not measured by what participants learn; it is measured by what they do next. As the culminating experience of SHE SOARS, this interactive closing session provides dedicated time to reflect key insights, celebrate meaningful connections and transform inspiration into intentional action.
Through guided reflection, personal action planning, peer accountability and shared commitments, participants will identify priorities for continued growth and leave with greater clarity, renewed purpose and a practical roadmap for creating lasting impact long after the summit concludes.
11:15 am–11:30 am
Closing Remarks: Reflections, Commitments & Takeaways
12:40 pm–1:30 pm
Transportation Departs to ORD/MDW She SOARS Inside Aviation Experiences
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
📍ORD Airport
She SOARS Inside Aviation Experience: O’Hare Airport Capital Projects Behind-the-Scenes (Add-on/No Additional Fee)
Step behind the scenes of O’Hare’s transformation and explore how major airport projects come to life. Experience guided access to active capital developments, hear real career journeys from women in infrastructure, participate in interactive “Ask Me Anything” moments, and connect with leaders shaping the future of aviation.
Note: Tour participants should book flights departing from ORD after 6:00 pm CT. Transportation to ORD and bag storage will be provided.
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
📍ORD Airport
She SOARS Inside Aviation Experience: O’Hare Airport Concessions (Add-on/No Additional Fee)
Explore the business side of aviation at O’Hare through a concessions experience highlighting women business owners. Connect with operators, learn how airport retail and dining work, and gain real-world insight into entrepreneurship—and how women are building, leading, and scaling brands in the aviation industry.
Note: Tour participants should book flights departing from ORD after 6:00 pm CT. Transportation to ORD and bag storage will be provided.
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
📍MDW Airport
She SOARS Inside Aviation Experience: Midway Airport Concessions (Add-on/No Additional Fee)
Explore the business side of aviation at Midway through a concessions experience highlighting women business owners. Connect with operators, learn how airport retail and dining work, and gain real-world insight into entrepreneurship—and how women are building, leading, and scaling brands in the aviation industry.
Note: Tour participants should book flights departing from MDW after 6:00 pm CT. Transportation to MDW and bag storage will be provided.