Professional Networking

Calling all \*\*female-identifying, non-binary and gender diverse \*\* filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts! Join us at **5pm** **Monday May 4 (the first Monday of every month)** in the Emporium food court (located behind Grill’d Burger Restaurant) for a chance to build relationships in the film community. **From 7pm onwards, we will continue the evening with drinks and/or a meal at The Lions Hotel - Melbourne Central.** This event is an expansion of the very successful **Movie Mutuals Wednesday Night Networking group** which has grown remarkably, with a weekly turnout of over 50 participants, blending newcomers with regulars to create a vibrant, diverse community. Whether you’re a writer, actor, animator, or independent filmmaker, come share your experiences, discuss current projects, or chat about favourite films. This event fosters connections among like-minded women, non-binary and gender diverse people, encourages friendships, and opens doors for collaboration. **RSVP** to help us gauge attendance. You will become part of a growing network of film professionals and enthusiasts. **What to Expect:** *There’s no set theme, workshop, or speaker. It’s a relaxed gathering where filmmakers, actors, and creatives can connect, discuss projects, share needs, and learn from each other. Beyond this networking event, we also host weekly Wednesday night meetups, exclusive events such as table reads, cinematography workshops with Panasonic, member screenings, and more.* \*Note: Our community emphasizes collaboration, friendship, and goodwill rather than promotional activities. If you wish to promote a workshop, course, screening, or similar event, please contact the organizers first. Promotional privileges are generally reserved for trusted, long-standing members.

We invite you to join us for face-face English lessons at Upper Intermediate level each Monday and Wednesday evening, starting Wed 8th April. **Where:** Level 7, 628 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD **Time:** 5:15pm - 7:30pm. Please come on time, as the doors are shut at 5:30pm. **What to expect:** You will be greeted by friendly tutors and trainee teachers. We are training English teachers and they work hard to prepare lessons for you. You will meet other speakers of other languages and engage in activities, and lots of practice speaking English.

Meetup Event organizers wanted. If you have something to help people in this group that you want to invite them to step up as event organizer. Contact me via meetup and let me know what you have in mind organizing how often and where.

# **Special Edition Trivia starts 7PM \| Free Entry \| Prizes & The Force Awaits** Gather your troops, light those sabers, and hyperspace jump into our Tavern for **May the 4th Trivia** — a one-night special event where your knowledge will be tested. Hosted in the heart of our bustling Fortress Tavern, this isn’t your average pub trivia. Expect an night filled with themed music, special drinks**,** and like-minded fans battling you for the top prize! 🎁 **Epic Prizes** 🍹 **Themed Cocktails** 🎲 **Star Wars Lore & Curveball Rounds** 🧙‍♂️ **Immersive Vibes. Cosplay Highly Encouraged** Whether you’re Han Soloing or gathering your Stormtroopers, this night is a must for any fan. Entry is free, but tables fill fast, **book your spot** **now!** **You there we hope to see! <(-_-)>**

Hi all. here is an opportunity for you to practice your 1 on 1 conversational skills. You may want to practice eye contact, humour, overcome anxiety, listening, talking or simply want more social practice and exposure to grow your skill / confidence. This is a great event if you wish to pre practice or prepare for dates. This is a 2 people sit down event at Hawke and Adderley Park. RSVP to this event page and I will inbox you to confirm the time and place! Sam

Join Toastmasters - Victoria for a dynamic workshop on mastering impromptu speaking. Enhance your communication skills in a supportive environment while also improving your ability to think on your feet. This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to overcome the fear of public speaking and boost their confidence when speaking in front of an audience. Whether you're a seasoned presenter or just starting out, this event will provide you with tips and techniques to tackle impromptu speaking with ease. Don't miss out on this opportunity to sharpen your impromptu speaking skills and connect with like-minded individuals passionate about personal and professional development. Toastmasters - Victoria is dedicated to creating a welcoming space for individuals to grow and learn from one another. Come prepared to challenge yourself, gain valuable insights, and become a more confident and effective communicator. Mark your calendar for an engaging session that will leave you inspired and equipped to excel in impromptu speaking and beyond.

Come along for an engaging evening where our members showcase their honed and developing speaking skills through prepared speeches and spontaneous impromptu talks! Every speaker receives constructive evaluations, while a discreet 'umm' counter keeps us all accountable. Embrace the opportunity to share laughter, challenge yourself, and foster new connections in a welcoming environment. We look forward to having you with us!

**Important Note:** the venue requires a guest list in advance. To lock in your spot, please message me on LinkedIn with your full name and email address after you have registered on Meetup. Once you've doen both of these, you’re in. LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewstuckings/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewstuckings/) If you’re building something and wouldn’t mind doing it around other switched-on humans, come join us for a relaxed co-working day at **United Co. Fitzroy**. **Location:** https://unitedco.com.au/contact-us/ No formal agenda. No awkward icebreakers. Just good people, decent coffee, and focused work. ☕ **Loose plans on the day** *10:00–11:00am* Coffee, chat, and a quick “what are you working on?” round. After that, everyone settles in and gets on with their own work. *12:30–1:30pm* Optional tag-along lunch nearby if you feel like stretching your legs. **What to expect** • A mix of founders, consultants, marketers, and side-project builders • Light conversation, real work • Space to focus without being isolated You can network as much or as little as you like. **Who this is for** • People actively building something • Those who enjoy thoughtful conversation • Anyone who prefers productive days over scrolling at home **Details** Location: United Co. Fitzroy Capacity: 25 people Cost: Free Please RSVP only if you genuinely intend to attend. Spots are limited. Bring your laptop, your to-do list, and something meaningful to move forward.

**Learn why quitting might be your smartest strategy with our May book club pick** Our May book club challenges everything you've been told about perseverance. Former professional poker player and decision strategist Annie Duke makes a compelling case that knowing when to quit—jobs, projects, relationships, strategies—is one of the most valuable skills you can develop, yet it's one we're culturally conditioned to ignore. **About the book** In this book, Duke dismantles the myth that "winners never quit" and reveals how our fear of quitting costs us time, money, and happiness. Drawing on cognitive science, behavioral economics, and her own experience at high-stakes poker tables, she explains why we cling to losing strategies and provides frameworks for recognizing when it's time to walk away. Quitting isn't about giving up—it's about freeing up resources for better opportunities. **What you'll gain** * A new perspective on quitting as a strategic skill rather than a character flaw * Practical decision-making tools to help you identify when to persist and when to pivot * Insights into the psychological traps that keep us stuck in dead-end situations, and how to overcome them to make smarter choices about where to invest your energy Purchase links: [[Quit: The Power Of Knowing When To Walk Away](https://www.thenile.com.au/books/annie-duke/quit/9781529146165?gad_campaignid=17335838322&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADhOHwgQG1DMqKNzRWgnd6TRIp3BD&gclid=CjwKCAiAkbbMBhB2EiwANbxtbY1gzuRVdNQwAjuwcgN0F6tr-bQ4-nv2GQ80QuJnwYuho5Mah0ehbhoCdUIQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=18141173729&utm_content=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=)] **Please note that this is a paid event to help cover the cost of meetup fees. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Boss and being part of a community that uplifts and inspires!** **Refund Policy** Kindly note that refunds cannot be provided for cancellations made less than 48 hours before the event. If you’re unable to attend, please reach out to one of the hosts to discuss alternative arrangements.

Hear 4 expert talks, take the mic for an AI / hardware demo or announcement, and connect over pizza & drinks. **Important: Please grab your** **[FREE Eventbrite ticket](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/physical-ai-meetup-tickets-1988533123101?aff=oddtdtcreator) here** **to attend. Registration is required, and tickets will be checked at the door.** A special thanks to the **University of Melbourne** for hosting us, in collaboration with the **Melbourne University Electrical Engineering Club (MUEEC)** — a student-run club enriching the student experience through social events, professional development, and industry networking that connects engineering students with peers and professionals. Pizza and drinks for this session are kindly provided by **Advantech** — a global leader in IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms, with the corporate vision of **“Enabling an Intelligent Planet.”** Take the mic at our **Community Open Mic**! Bring your demo, prototype, or announcement — whether it is AI, hardware, robotics, embedded systems, sensing, or edge computing. All welcome. *** ## Agenda ### 5:30 – 6:00 pm \| Check\-in\, Welcome & Introduction Hear a short welcome from the event hosts and an introduction to the Physical AI Meetup community. *** ### 6:00 – 6:20 pm \| Talk 1 –Integrating External Conditioning into Large Pretrained Deep Learning Models **Overview:** Off-the-shelf AI models are impressively capable — until they are used in highly specific real-world domains. A model trained on broad internet-scale data may struggle with cancer biopsy analysis, flood prediction, recognising unfamiliar objects, or following complex multi-step instructions. In this talk, Dr Sachith Seneviratne argues that the answer is not simply to retrain models from scratch or add more data. Instead, he introduces the idea of **external conditioning**: injecting domain knowledge into large pretrained models at the right point, with minimal engineering overhead. Drawing on recent work across medicine, climate, safety-critical AI, and creative tools, Sachith will show how external knowledge can help pretrained models become more reliable, efficient, and useful in real applications. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for making large AI models work in their own engineering and applied AI contexts.world systems. **Speaker:** **Dr Sachith Seneviratne, University of Melbourne** **Bio:** Dr Sachith Seneviratne is a Research Fellow in AI at the University of Melbourne. He brings over a decade of AI research experience alongside four years of applied consulting work for organisations including NASA and Harvard University. His research centres on representation learning, applied AI, and the efficiency of deep learning systems. His work asks how large AI models can be made to operate reliably in specific real-world domains — from clinical pathology and flood emergency response to cybersecurity and urban design — without sacrificing the generality that makes them powerful. His research has appeared at leading venues including CVPR, ICCV, and AAAI. Sachith has developed AI tools for earthquake prediction, malware detection, wearable health monitoring, and automated urban design generation. His PhD from Monash University investigated the automation of machine learning itself, including generating parallelised inference algorithms directly from model specifications. As a consultant, he has advised global organisations on deploying machine learning in production, with a focus on building systems that are efficient, robust, and grounded in domain knowledge. *** ### 6:20 – 6:40 pm \| Talk 2 – Harnessing Intelligence from the Source: Living Biological Neurons as a Material for Physical AI **Overview:** What happens when intelligence is no longer built only in silicon? In this talk, Dr Brett J. Kagan will explore the frontier of biological computing and synthetic biological intelligence, where living neural systems are integrated with hardware and software to create new forms of adaptive computation. Drawing on Cortical Labs’ work with neurons on a chip, closed-loop learning systems, and the CL-1 platform, Brett will discuss how biological neural systems can learn, adapt, and interact with their environment — and what this could mean for the future of AI, robotics, embodied intelligence, and physical AI. **Speaker:** **Dr Brett J. Kagan, Chief Scientific Officer / Chief Operations Officer, Cortical Labs** **Bio:** Dr Brett J. Kagan is the Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operations Officer at Cortical Labs, a multidisciplinary deep-tech startup integrating hardware, software, and synthetic biology to explore how intelligence can be harnessed from neurons on a chip. Dr Kagan has a PhD in neuroscience focusing on stem cell therapy and completed post-doctoral work in bioinformatics and regenerative medicine. His recent work includes developing the first real-time closed-loop demonstration of in-vitro intelligence in a simplified Pong-game environment, along with work to better test and understand these systems. He has led the scientific development of the first commercialisable device for harnessing the information processing capabilities of biological neurons, called the CL-1. He also explores the neurocomputational, philosophical, and ethical implications of this emerging technology. ### 6:40 – 7:00 pm \| Pizza & Networking Enjoy pizza, drinks, and time to connect with other attendees. *** ### 7:00 – 7:20 pm \| Talk 3 – Physical AI in Practice: Connecting Edge Intelligence to Industrial Outcomes **Overview:** Physical AI becomes truly valuable when intelligence can be deployed close to machines, sensors, factories, and real industrial operations. In this talk, Susie Chen will share how edge AI, industrial IoT, and data-driven decision-making are being applied in real manufacturing and industrial environments. She will discuss how organisations can connect intelligent edge systems to practical outcomes, including operational efficiency, automation, smarter monitoring, and improved decision-making. The session will provide an industry perspective on how Physical AI moves from concept to deployment — and how edge intelligence can help bridge the gap between AI innovation and measurable business value. **Speaker:** **Chen Susie** **Bio:** Susie Chen is the EIoT Head of Sales at Advantech Australia, specialising in edge AI and smart manufacturing. With global experience across Taiwan, Brazil, and Australia, she helps organisations transform industrial operations through AI-driven IoT and data-powered decision-making. ### 7:20 – 7:40 pm \| Talk 4 – Why AGI Needs a Body: The Case for Proprioceptive Data in Embodied Intelligence **Overview:** Vision-based AI has transformed perception, but real-world intelligence requires more than seeing. For robots and embodied systems to operate reliably in the physical world, they need access to ground-truth data about movement, force, position, and physical interaction. In this talk, Anantyash Dixit will argue that proprioceptive data — the body’s sense of movement and position — is a missing ingredient in the path toward embodied intelligence. He will discuss why specialised sensing hardware is needed to capture this data, how human movement datasets can support robotic deployment, and why physical AI may require a deeper connection between hardware, biomechanics, and intelligence. Drawing from Melbourne Bionics’ work across wearable sensing, athlete performance analytics, and robotics datasets, this talk will explore how real-world proprioceptive data could shape the next generation of embodied AI systems. **Speaker:** **Anantyash Dixit, Founding Engineer, Melbourne Bionics** **Bio:** Anantyash Dixit is a Founding Engineer at Melbourne Bionics, a medtech startup where he leads the full hardware pipeline, including electronics design, embedded systems, and sensor integration. Melbourne Bionics is developing three connected products: **Ares**, a calf sensor sleeve that captures real-time proprioceptive data from elite athletes; **Athena**, an analytics platform that turns that data into actionable insights for coaches and medical staff; and **Richter**, a robotics platform that uses the same dataset as a proprietary benchmark for humanoid robot locomotion. Anantyash’s background spans FPGA and RTL design, embedded firmware, PCB layout, EMI/EMC verification, wearable biosignals, and medical device development. He holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering from Monash University, where he was awarded the International Excellence Scholarship and served as President of the Society of Monash Electrical Engineers. Beyond hardware, he thinks deeply about the ethics of AI, the implications of physical intelligence, and what embodied systems mean for humanity’s long-term trajectory. *** ### 7:40 – 8:00 pm \| Community Open Mic Take the mic and share with the group — from hardware demos and embedded prototypes to quick AI-at-the-edge announcements, project showcases, calls for collaboration, and more. *** ### Wrap-up & Social Any further Q&As and chats will happen here. **Last reminder:** Please make sure to register on Eventbrite for your free ticket — it is required for entry.

**Welcome to Startup Oasis!** If you are a startup founder, investor, developer, marketer, or anyone else in the tech ecosystem looking to start, join, or help a tech startup, this event is for you! Entrepreneurs pitch their startups to the attendees; then, you can join a breakout room/area (that we curate) to talk to the founders, join their team, ask questions, and/or give feedback. People have been able to start a business as a result of this process. You are welcome to just watch as well. After the last pitch, the audience will be able to vote on a winner who will become eligible to pitch during the championship round at the end of the year to win the grand prize! The official registration page is [here](https://luma.com/wmcdrbnq). **Schedule:** ​5:30 PM - Doors open for networking. 6:00 PM - Sign up at the check-in table if you want to pitch your startup 6:15 PM - Startup Oasis Begins, founders pitch 6:45 PM onward - Founders break off into break-out rooms/areas, and attendees can move around and help one another for the remainder of the time, similar to a hackathon **Startup Oasis was created to pierce the illusion of accessibility of startups and tech by creating a grassroots forum for early-stage founders to pitch to those in the tech ecosystem to get real-time feedback for their idea or business.** Use this [link](https://www.startupoasis.org/contact-10 "https://www.startupoasis.org/contact-10") to: * Follow us on LinkedIn * Join our community * Donate to our cause * Visit our website * Sign up for our newsletter **Nearby Transit:** * Tram: Waterfront City Station (Trams 35, 70, 86) * Car Parking: parking garage nearby

**🔥L​assie & Edward Zia's Business Community is hosting a Business Networking Event @ Pullman Melbourne on the Park!🔥** Join like-minded people in Business for a fun and relaxing Networking Lunch and afternoon of Networking that you won't want to miss!​ Our Business Community includes a diverse range of friendly and supportive Professionals, Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, CEOs, Managing Directors, Boss Ladies, Thought Leaders and Influencers, open and ready to meet like-minded individuals, to connect and grow their Networks! ​​Our events are all about fostering and empowering meaningful connections, getting everyone out of their homes and offices to build a stronger Network within our Communities. **​T​he Event:** ​Our gatherings are free to you and pretty casual, with minimum structure to allow natural flow of conversations. [Please make a donation, we really appreciate your support.](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ExcellenceAbove) Come along, grab lunch, ​introduce yourselves, make new friends, and connect with each other on your phones via Linkedin. Our leaders will give a brief introduction after lunch, feel free to move around and speak to everyone before and after, and enjoy a coffee and or beverages of your choice throughout​ the event too. **Before the event** ​Make sure that you have registered for this event, updated your professional profile and install the Linkedin app on your phone, our preferred social media platform for high quality professionals and Business Partners. **After the event​:** ​Touch base with those you have met and connect with any you may have missed on the day. Schedule a coffee meet and come along to our next event to meet and re-connect with others. **​P​arking:** Pullman Melbourne on the Park is located in East Melbourne, about a 10 minute walk East from Parliament Train Station. It's close to the MCG, and is also a popular venue for many concerts and sporting events. Wellington Parade also has many trams, with a tram spot just outside the Hotel. Parking includes a mixture of street parking and paid carparks including: \- Underneath the Pullman on the Park \- The Epworth Freemasons Carpark - Secure Parking, 12 - 20 Flinders Lane This part of town tends to be either empty or completely packed, based on what events are happening at the MCG and more (always great to leave earlier and allow more time when things are busy). **First time with Us?** You're in good hands! We've been running​ networking events in ​since 2015 and beyond **About Us** Our Meetup Business Community has over 16k members and has become one of Australia's largest Business Networking Meetup groups. We host regular Networking events in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and zooms throughout the year, supporting a network of ever-growing businesses. With over 16,000 members in our Business Community, you have the best chance of meeting like-minded people to grow and scale your Network faster. **View all upcoming ​events [here](https://linktr.ee/LassieZia)** ### Frequently Asked Question​s **What is the dress code?** Smart Business casual and ​be photo ready. **Do many people attend by themselves?** Many of ​our attendees come by themselves​ and friends, colleagues and first timers are always welcomed. **How can I make contact with any questions?** ​Simply direct message [Edward Zia](https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardzia/) with any further questions. We aim to create High Value and the best Business Networking Events available out there! **Meet - Like - Know - Trust** **Your Network is your Networth!** 🌏🌏🌏💙💙💙🔥🔥🔥 If you love our High Quality Business Networking Events, please Sign up to become a Member of the **[Awesome Influencer Vault](https://edwardzia.teachable.com/p/theawesomemarketingvault)** and help us keep them Running! We really appreciate your ongoing support!

CBD Business Owners Network is a professionally facilitated networking experience designed specifically for business owners who are serious about building meaningful connections and growing their business. This is not a typical large, unstructured networking event. The focus is on **quality conversations, genuine relationships, and long-term business growth**. **What This Event Is About** We bring together a small group of business owners in a relaxed, structured environment to: * Build strong professional relationships * Create opportunities for referrals and collaboration * Have real conversations about business growth * Connect with like-minded business owners in Melbourne There are **no presentations and no sales pitches** — just focused, high-quality networking. **What to Expect** * A curated group of business owners (not a large crowd) * Structured introductions to help you connect with the right people * Open networking and meaningful conversations * A relaxed and welcoming environment * Opportunities to build long-term referral relationships **Who Should Attend** This event is ideal for: * Business owners and decision-makers * Consultants, service providers, and entrepreneurs * Professionals looking to grow through referrals and partnerships This event is designed **for business owners only** **Why Attend** If you’re looking for a networking environment that is: * Not overcrowded * Not overly sales-driven * Focused on real connections and growth …then this is for you. **Contact** If you have any questions or would like to know if this is the right fit for you: **Rakesh Singh** PinnacleEdge Business Coaching 0423 804 123

* Join us for an evening of professional networking and valuable insights at our Entrepreneur & **Small Business Networking Mixer**. Connect with fellow small business owners, entrepreneurs, and like-minded professionals to share business strategies and exchange ideas for startup success with a drink. * * We have carved a deal with the restaurant of 10% Discount of all Menu items & drinks if you mention the staff "**Friday Business Meetup Deal**" * * We will delve into the power of integrating feminine wisdom with masculine energy for enhanced business strategies and entrepreneurial success. Discover the importance of positive human collisions in fostering innovation and growth, while expanding your network in a dynamic and supportive environment. * * Don't miss this opportunity to meet new contacts, exchange knowledge, and take yourself to the next level! * * **About Host:** Host of the event Sash (Sachin) is qualified accountant in practice. Mostly he is present in the event but it is subject to his prior commitment. However everybody is still invited to chat & socialise whether he is present or not. The place is a platform for everyone to gather,meet & help each other. * * **Address & Timings :** from **6-8 PM** at **500 Victoria Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051 (This event will be on every Friday same time same day unless otherwise advised)** * * Join us to meet new friends, hang out and have some laughs. New people are always welcome 😊🍺🍺 * * Come along to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend. * * **Liability Waiver:** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your safety and well-being.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

**A Transformative Half-Day Event** Welcome to Confidence Lab, the ultimate experience designed to help you step into your most confident self. This half-day event is packed with actionable strategies, inspiring sessions, and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who are ready to invest in their personal and professional growth. Whether you’re looking to advance in your career, deepen your self-belief, or simply embrace new challenges, Confidence Lab is your starting point. **What You’ll Experience** **Your Confidence Lab ticket includes:** * **Engaging Speaker Sessions**: Learn from experts about harnessing confidence in your career, relationships, and everyday life. * **Interactive Experiences:** Participate in dynamic activities designed to help you step into your most confident self. * **In-Depth Audience Q&A:** Get direct insights from speakers as they answer your most pressing questions about building confidence and stepping into leadership. * **Networking Opportunities**: Connect with a supportive community of professionals and confidence enthusiasts. **2026 Speaker Sessions:** * **Seeing Clearly** Understand how you show up - and what’s been getting in the way. * **Confidence in Relationship** Communicate, navigate conflict, and build trust more effectively. * **Sustainable Agency** Learn how to lead without burning out. Your energy is part of the strategy. * **Confidence in Service** Align how you show up with the impact you actually want to have. **This Is For You If…** * You’re ready to take up more space in your work or life * You want to communicate with clarity and confidence * You’re stepping into (or preparing for) leadership * You’re done second-guessing yourself **Our Speakers** **Lachandra Baker** Founder of LBB Edutainment and the kind of person who makes you realize you’ve been confusing confidence with performance your whole life. Lachandra blends psychology, research, and radical humanity to help individuals and teams stop code-switching their way through the day and start showing up as someone they actually recognize. Expect to be challenged, affirmed, and genuinely seen - sometimes all in the same breath. **Annette Santiago Reyes** Annette has a rare talent: she makes the way you communicate feel like a discovery, not a critique. A connection catalyst and culture strategist, she helps people understand why they show up the way they do, and how to bridge the gap between intention and impact. Whether you're navigating change, life’s challenges, or simply trying to better understand yourself and others. Annette gives you the language and the lens to get there. **Elizabeth Wangugi** Creator of The Nap Concert and the RESTOR™ framework, Elizabeth is here to tell you that rest is not a reward - it’s a strategy. Rooted in neuroscience and restorative practice, her work helps high-achievers stop running on fumes and start leading from a place of actual capacity. If your calendar is full and your tank is empty, Elizabeth might be the most important person you hear from at Confidence Lab. **Stephanie Andrews** Founder of Social Black Butterfly Training & Consulting, Stephanie knows what it takes to lead through complexity because she’s done it across social services, healthcare, and operations. She specializes in succession strategy and leadership development, equipping leaders to build trust, navigate the hard moments, and leave something worth inheriting. Stephanie doesn’t just develop leaders. She develops the kind of leaders people actually want to follow. **Lillian Morales-Laster** SVP Human Resources Director at United Midwest Savings Bank and Executive Director of the Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy (ELLA). Lillian has spent her career combining her passion for equity and inclusion with her experience in human resources to lead teams and organizations in the development of supportive work environments. She leads with a vision of ensuring Latinas' voices are included in crucial decision-making processes, because for Lillian, ELLA is more than just a program. It's a vibrant community of hermanas supporting and uplifting each other as they navigate their paths to leadership. A Columbus Business First Community Champion and Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan, her commitment to empowering others shows up everywhere she goes. **Rachyl Kershaw** Founder of Greater Columbus Consulting and the architect behind the Confidence Lab Annual Summit, Rachyl has a gift for cutting through the noise, helping high-achievers stop performing success and start living it. She asks the questions most people are afraid to, creates space for honest reckoning, and somehow makes the hard work feel energizing. If you’ve ever wondered why doing everything right still feels like something’s missing, you’re in exactly the right room. **Why Confidence Lab?** Confidence is the foundation for success in every area of life. Whether you’re navigating a career change, launching a business, or striving for personal growth, building your confidence is the key to unlocking your higher purpose. This is your chance to invest in yourself and start living boldly. **Join Us on May 4** Confidence Lab is more than just an event - it’s a movement. Step into your power, embrace your potential, and make this the year you thrive. Secure your spot today and take the first step toward a more confident YOU. Cost should never be a barrier to growth. If you'd like to request a complimentary community ticket, reach out to us at [hello@confidencelab.org](hello@confidencelab.org), no explanation needed. Read more and see additional ticketing options at [https://confidencelab.org/](https://confidencelab.org/)

Get ready to connect, collaborate, and grow your community at the ***Smashing Your Sales Goals (SYSG) Spring Meet-N-Greet!*** *Smash Nation*— a vibrant and welcoming community for creative consultants, social innovators, professional service providers, entrepreneur support professionals, and the small business ecosystem builders —invites you to join in welcoming the Spring 2026 Cohort of dedicated business owners ready to take their venture to the next level. Join ***SYSG*** cohort members, trainers, sponsors, and partners for an engaging and interactive networking experience. This isn't just another meet-and-greet; it's a dynamic opportunity to gather, strengthen relationships, and actively brainstorm business development opportunities in a relaxed and supportive environment. Come ready to: * ***Connect*** with key players and potential collaborators in the small business community. * ***Share*** your successes, challenges, and insights with peers. * ***Brainstorm*** innovative strategies for sales and business growth. * ***Discover*** new partnerships and future partners. Let's amplify our collective impact and smash those sales goals together! **Who Should Attend:** Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025 Cohort Members, Spring 2026 Cohort members, Trainers, Facilitators, Program Sponsors, Future Sponsors, Velocity Applicants, and Program Partners. **When**: Tuesday, May 26, 2926 **Where**: Warner Wood Park and Pavilion [4747 Central College Road, Columbus, OH 43081](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Warner+Woods+Park+%26+Pavilion/@40.0999435,-82.8601323,839m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x88385f0025d4381b:0xc15eb51285691f4f!8m2!3d40.1002108!4d-82.8612015!16s%2Fg%2F11wb2pg50g?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwNS4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) **Time**: 4pm-6pm [To Officially Register Go To --> https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/W0CGLL8jvz4EkLNK5jav?notrack=true](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/W0CGLL8jvz4EkLNK5jav?notrack=true) Meet ***Smashing Your Sales Goals*** expert trainers, sales coaches, community supporters and partners. Learn more about upcoming SYSG events, trainings coaching opportunities to help take your business from surviving to thriving today! This event is FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC!

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!