PRESS RELEASE

L.E.A.D. conference explores impact of AI on business

The student-planned event is free and open to the public

KOKOMO, Ind. — How can AI help businesses grow?

Attendees can learn more about the impact of Artificial Intelligence at the Indiana University Kokomo Women in Business Student Organization’s Learn. Empower. Achieve. Dream. (L.E.A.D.) conference, set for Wednesday, April 2 in the Kelley Student Center.

The conference is planned by students, who choose the speakers, reserve the venue, arrange food service, prepare gifts, and create and implement a marketing plan.

“We will be talking about AI in the digital world, how our businesses can grow and succeed, and how AI can assist with business,” said Elise Vandeventer, committee chair for marketing. “It’s such a rapid and growing thing. I don’t think it’s going to slow down anytime soon.”

Attendance is free and open to students of all majors, faculty, staff, and community members. Registration is required by March 24 at go.iu.edu/8sMi.

Vandeventer looks forward to keynote presentations by Deanna Meador, CEO of Freedom Company, Founder and CEO of Couture Technologies, and co-founder of Chalk Coaching; as well as Gabby Popowitz, former IUK faculty member and vice president of people and culture at Birgo Realty.

“Our keynote speakers are very interactive when it comes to audience engagement,” she said. “They love to get involved with the audience. Sometimes they ask questions, bring papers for audience members to complete, and really get the audience involved,” she said.

Registration begins at 8:30 am, followed by Meador’s keynote, “5 Lessons Learned from 2 Decades as an Entrepreneur,” in Kresge Auditorium. Two breakout sessions will be available from 10 to 11 a.m., led by IU Kokomo alumna Kim LaFollette, vice president and director of marketing and business banking at Community First Bank of Indiana; and Linda Ficht, former IU Kokomo faculty member and current clinical assistant professor of business law at Purdue University.

The second breakout session begins at 11 a.m., both featuring IU Kokomo alumni. They include Nathan Kring, owner of Stars and Stripes LLC and claims manager at SageSure; and Paola Cubides, marketing manager at MS-IL Staffing & Packaging.

Lunch is included in the day starting at noon, followed by Popowitz’s keynote, “The Secret Sauce: Becoming Irreplaceable in an AI-Driven World.”

The L.E.A.D. conference is sponsored by IUK Student Life and the School of Business, IU Kokomo’s Women of the Well House, and Sita Amba Rao, professor emerita of management.

 Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.

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