Register

The Agenda

Join us for a day of intentional growth, powerful speakers, and real connection—where women break barriers, share stories, and map out the careers they were meant to lead.

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Where Her Ambition Meets Action

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Nov. 14th, 2026

09:30 a.m.

Doors Open—Registration Begins

  • All guests will receive a goodie bag and program upon checking in.
  • Attire: Guests are encouraged to wear their best, brightest, and boldest power suit or an outfit that makes them feel powerful.

10:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Coffee & Networking

  • Buffet and Coffee Station. Grab breakfast at your leisure, network, and meet the women. Be ready to take a seat at 11am.
  • Rooms: Congo Corridor

10:45 a.m.

Photo Opportunities

  • Rooms: Congo Corridor

11:00 a.m.

Welcome: Official Conference Start

  • Speaker: Alexis Meruelo, Founder of Business of Her
  • Remarks on Business of Her Community and Official Welcome
  • Congo Rooms I, II, III, and IV

11:05 a.m.

The True Power: Money Confidence

  • Speaker 1: Sadia Hasan, Vice President, Morgan Stanley
  • Speaker 2: Lisa Chastain, Female Money Mindset Coach
  • Speaker 3: Jen Ngozi, Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Business Coach
  • Moderator: Alexis Meruelo, Founder of Business of Her
  • Topic: Historically, women have been shut out of money. According to a McKinsey study, women are expected to control $30 trillion in investable assets by the end of the decade. Money is more than numbers: it’s confidence, opportunity, and freedom. Women are building wealth faster than ever before, yet many still struggle to confidently invest, negotiate, and make financial decisions. Join this conversation as our panel shares practical strategies for overcoming money mindsets, building lasting wealth, and creating financial confidence at every stage of your career.

11:45 a.m.

Business Founder: Power Hour

  • Speaker: COMING SOON
  • Speaker: COMING SOON
  • Topic: What does it really take to build a nationally recognized brand? Hear directly from founders who transformed bold ideas into thriving businesses. From navigating uncertainty and scaling operations to building unforgettable brands and resilient teams, these CEOs will share the honest lessons behind their entrepreneurial journeys and the decisions that shaped their success.

12:15 a.m.

From CIA to CEO

  • Speaker: Emily Hjikade, CEO of Petite Plume Pajamas
  • Moderator: Alexis Meruelo, Founder of Business of Her
  • Topic: From serving in the CIA to leading one of today's fastest-growing luxury brands, Emily Hjikade's career has been anything but traditional. A University of Notre Dame graduate, mother of four, and CEO of Petite Plume, Emily will share how she embraced reinvention, navigated major career transitions, and built a life of purpose while balancing family and leadership. This inspiring conversation will remind you that your path to success doesn't have to be linear, it simply has to be your own.

12:45 p.m.

Lunch, Networking, & Resume Review

  • Sponsorship: Recognition and thanks given by Maria Dominguez
  • Networking Activity: Some of the most valuable conversations happen away from the stage. During lunch, you'll participate in guided networking designed to help you build authentic relationships, expand your professional network, and connect with women who may become future mentors, collaborators, clients, or lifelong friends. We will encourage all guests to get up, and sit at an entirely new table.
  • Resume Review: Professional experts will be available to personally review your Resume, and assist you with standing out from the crowd.
  • Madeline Zupan, EPM, Apple
  • Jenna Heath, UNLV, Director of Student and Community Engagement
  • Alli Villines, Founder of “She Means Business” Non-Profit

2:00 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

  • Kristen Corral Leading: You Don’t Need Everyone, You Just Need Your People
  • We hear constantly that we need to “network,” but how do you actually build relationships that lead to opportunities? This interactive session teaches you how to build a powerful professional network, turn introductions into genuine relationships, and surround yourself with mentors, sponsors, advocates, and connectors who will champion you when you’re not in the room.
  • Room: Albert I
  • Judge Lucy Armendariz: How to play the deck you are handed in life and come out with a winning hand
  • We don’t get to choose every card life hands us, but we do get to choose how we play them. Judge Lucy Armendariz will share lessons from her own journey and inspire you to look beyond circumstances, recognize your power already in their hands, and turn obstacles into opportunities. You don’t need a perfect hand to win. You need the courage and confidence to play the one you have.
  • Room: George I

2:45 p.m.

$5,000 UNLV Student Pitch Competition

  • At Business of Her, we don't just celebrate today's leaders—we invest in tomorrow's. Watch three outstanding UNLV students take the stage to share the real-world challenges they hope to solve through their future careers in a live two-minute speaker competition. Audience members will help select the recipient of the $5,000 Business of Her Future Impact Scholarship, while the two runners-up will each receive a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of their leadership and vision.

3:05 p.m.

The Business of Becoming

  • Speaker: Nicole Walters, NYT Best Selling Author of “Nothing is Missing”, Entrepreneur, and Podcaster.
  • Moderator: Alexis Meruelo, Chief Vision and Purpose Officer, Business of Her Founder.
  • Topic: What if the life you're searching for isn't missing, it’s already within you? Join New York Times bestselling author and entrepreneur Nicole Walters for an inspiring fireside chat on embracing your purpose, taking courageous leaps, and redefining success on your own terms. Through stories of entrepreneurship, motherhood, resilience, and personal growth, you'll leave empowered to trust yourself and step boldly into what's next.

3:35 p.m.

The Mothership: Wisdom for Life

  • Speakers: Liset Meruelo, Jericha Gutierrez, Sonya Lozowski, Kathy Aldrich, Marcy Weinstein, and more...
  • Moderator: Alexis Meruelo, Founder of Business of Her
  • Topic: It takes a village to build a leader. Throughout her life, Alexis Meruelo has been surrounded by an incredible group of mothers, aunts, mentors, and family friends whose wisdom helped shape her journey. For the first time, she's inviting "The Mothership" to the Business of Her stage to share the life lessons, encouragement, and timeless advice that every woman deserves to hear.

4:00 p.m.

Women of Many Titles: Business Owners, Mothers, & WWE Champions

  • Speakers: Nikki and Brie Garcia, WWE Champions, Entrepreneurs, Founders of Bonita Bonita Wine, Podcasters, and Reality TV Stars.
  • Moderator: Alexis Meruelo, Founder of Business of Her
  • Topic: The Garcia Twins have built remarkable careers while embracing the many roles life has given them. In this inspiring closing conversation, they'll share the lessons they've learned navigating business, motherhood, personal growth, reinvention, and life beyond the spotlight. Through honest stories of success, setbacks, and resilience, Nikki and Brie will offer practical wisdom on defining success on your own terms and building a life that is fulfilling both professionally and personally.

4:30 p.m.

The Bonita Bonita After Party: Azilo Lounge

  • Where: AZILO Ultra Lounge, the SAHARA Las Vegas
  • Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
  • The UNLV Scholarship winner will be announced at 5:30 p.m.
  • Outdoor access to the pool will be available for networking and photos.
  • Welcome Toast to be announced.

All speakers and topics are subject to change.

Join Our Community

This isn’t just another community—it’s a powerhouse of trailblazing women who back each other, break barriers, and build real success. No gatekeeping, no fluff—just genuine connections, bold conversations, and the support you need to go further. Whether you’re launching, growing, or reinventing, this is where you find your people.

Ready to step in? Join us.