Empowering Women Professionally, Personally & Politically |
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 | Saturday, March 7, 2026 |
Breakout Session Speakers |
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Sherri Hodies was elected to the office of Monroe County Supervisor of Elections in November 2024. Since then, she has moved the office into the 21st century with a new website, a social media footprint, new equipment, office restructuring and improved team communications. Sherri’s devotion to Monroe County is inherent in how she listens, prioritizes and puts into action common sense solutions. With a focus on transparency and excellent customer service, she invites all county residents to visit any election office. She is committed to making Monroe County the best place to vote in Florida. Sherri’s work ethic is evidenced by her 27-year career at Honda of America and her 30 years of service as a provider for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. While employed in both careers, she successfully completed a double bachelor’s followed by a double master’s in business administration and human resources management. Sherri has been married to Perry for 25 years and has lived in the Florida Keys almost 20 years. Their four children and seven precious grandchildren all live in Ohio.
Ginette Hughes is a past president and current treasurer of the League of Women Voters of the Upper Keys, a chapter of the League of Women Voters of Florida. She is a staunch advocate for educating people so that every eligible person can exercise their right to vote, and every registered voter has access to information they need to make their votes count! In addition to her work with the League, Ginette is an experienced poll worker and has participated in every primary and general election since the general election of 2018. She has served as Precinct Clerk for the last two elections. Ginette is also currently a board director with the Key Largo Rotary Club and treasurer for the Upper Keys Sailing Club. Her day job is CEO of MarineLab Key Largo, a non-profit marine education, research, and training center. Ginette has been a member of the Upper Keys Business and Professional Women since 2018. | Making Your Vote Count in 2026: What You Need to Know Now to Be Prepared Sherri Hodies Ginette Hughes Election integrity and transparency are essential to fostering trust in our electoral system. In this engaging session, Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies will pull back the curtains on how elections really work. You'll get an inside look at how votes are counted, the Florida Statutes that govern the process, the complex decisions election officials must make, and the work that goes into preparing for every election cycle. From registering and requesting a mail-in ballot, to signature verification and vote counting, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how the entire process works. You'll also learn critical dates and deadlines, the rules that apply at the polls, and get a sneak peek at the new voting booths and equipment being implemented this year. Expect an interactive experience where you'll scan QR codes with your phones during the session. Joining Sherri is Ginette Hughes, past president of the Upper Keys League of Women Voters, who will provide guidance on how to research the offices up for election this year and recommend trusted, nonpartisan resources to learn about the candidates. Ginette will also share what it's like to be a volunteer poll worker and explain why that role is one of the powerful ways citizens can participate in the election process. You'll leave this session informed, energized and ready to make your vote count with confidence. |
Ask Like You Mean It: The Power of Women Dr. Rose Littlejohn, DM, ACC, CFE Women are conditioned to be agreeable, grateful and accommodating, especially in professional spaces. They often fall for the myth, "If I work hard enough, I'll get rewarded." But advancement, equity and leadership require more than hard work; they require the courage to ask for what you want and deserve. In this empowering session, you'll learn why negotiation is not about being agressive – it's about being prepared, strategic and unapologetically clear about your value. We'll break down the barriers that hold women back – fear of rejection, imposter sydrome and the hard-work myth – and replace them with practical tools to negotiate with confidence and credibility. Attendees will leave with a clear framework for how to prepare, position their value, and make powerful, direct asks – whether for salary, leadership opportunities, business contracts or policy influence. We'll focus on language that commands respect, strategies that create win-win outcomes, and mindset shifts that move women from hesitant to decisive. Because when women negotiate effectively, they don't just elevate themselves – they strengthen organizations, communities and the economic future for all women. |
Dr. Rose Littlejohn is an Adjunct Professor at the College of the Florida Keys and Pace University, where she teaches Business and Criminal Justice courses. She is also the Founder of Lead and Wellness, an executive coaching service that supports leaders in achieving strategic impact while prioritizing personal well-being. Rose previously served as Managing Director, Workplace Solutions and Business Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and in various leadership roles in global security at American Standard Companies. Rose served on the National Board of Girl Scouts of the USA from 2017–2023, and in various board positions with Girl Scouts of Greater New York. Rose also served on the board of the FBI’s Domestic Security Advisory Council (DSAC), Pace University Dyson’s College Advisory Board, International Security Management Association (ISMA) and the Secretary of State’s Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC). Rose has lived full-time in the Florida Keys since 2020. Although she misses her NY roots, her love of the warm weather and the ocean enables her to enjoy many outdoor activities including biking, boating, pickleball and tennis. She is actively involved with Upper Keys BPW and has welcomed the opportunity to meet so many amazing women in the community. |
 Becky Wagner is CEO and founder of Iris Blue Technology, a consultancy specializing in no-code AI and automation solutions. With 20+ years in enterprise technology, including senior roles at Amazon and Oracle (where she currently leads an AI service team), Becky helps businesses implement AI without the complexity or expense typically associated with adoption. Since moving to Key Largo in 2025, Becky has immersed herself in the community, pursuing her divemaster certification while helping with reef cleanup and coral restoration. She holds a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is a triathlete. Becky is also an active member of Upper Keys BPW. Becky believes AI technology should work for people, not the other way around. Her presentations translate complex AI concepts into actionable strategies that save time and drive results. | Reclaim Your Time: AI that Actually Works for Busy Professionals Becky Wagner What you'll learn:
You'll leave with concrete examples you can test this week, free and low-cost tool recommendations that work with what you already use (phone, email, basic software), and a simple framework for deciding which AI tools are worth your time versus which are just noise. |
Get Your Weekend Back: 3 Hidden Reasons Your Calendar Might Be Setting You Up to Fail And what to do about it so you can handle the "have-to's" and make room for the "woo-hoos!" Martha Wilson For leaders and entrepreneurs struggling to get it all done and still have a life. Do you... ...Know you're supposed to make time for planning and reflection but never manage to get it done? (And somehow the more success you have, the worse it seems to be getting.) ...Feel like you're constantly behind with no hope of ever catching up? (Otherwise known as, "The-Harder-I-Work-The-'Hinder-I-Get" Syndrome.) ...Notice that stuff keeps falling through the cracks despite your best efforts? (As evidenced by late fees, missed deadlines, and irate clients, customers, or bosses.) ...Never really get to enjoy your down time (you do HAVE down time, right?) because you're always thinking you should have done more, better, sooner? And maybe most importantly.... you’re really TIRED of all that trash up there ... BUT you struggle with old-fashioned time management because your life doesn't fit into neat little boxes like that! In this interactive workshop you’ll discover:
Just because you’ve been successful and your professional (or personal) responsibilities have increased, doesn’t mean you have to choose between your life and your career. You can have both. Remember, the most important thing you will ever lead is your own life. |
Martha Wilson is a transformational success coach for service-minded leaders and entrepreneurs who want big goals but are tired of the stress, burnout, and backlash of achieving them. Drawing on her background in espionage and executive leadership both inside and outside the federal government, she is passionate about showing others how to unlock their natural capacity to become unflappable - calm, confident, and in control in any situation - so they can make the difference they are here to make and enjoy the ride along the way. Her coaching business consists of high-level group coaching, limited 1:1 work, and her signature 3-day workshop, UNFLAPPABLE: The Inner Game Experience. In addition to running her own coaching business, Martha also owns a real estate investment company, manages two multi-7-figure family trusts, and serves as a master money coach at Real Prosperity, Inc. She now lives on the water in the Florida Keys with her husband and one slightly spoiled cat. |
 Dr. Sue Woltanski is a retired pediatrician, mother of two public school graduates, and one of South Florida's leading advocates for public education at the local, state and national levels. Since 2015, she has written the award-winning education policy blog Accountabaloney, which examines flaws in Florida's education policies and accountability systems. Since 2018, Dr. Woltanski has served on the Monroe County School Board, representing District 5 in the Florida Keys. She is also a long-time member of Upper Keys BPW. | Advocacy in Action: Lessons Learned on the Front Lines Dr. Sue Woltanski What does it mean to be an advocate? And what does it take to advocate effectively for yourself, a loved one or a cause you care about? As a former physician, a mother, a dedicated public servant and an elected official, Dr. Sue Woltanski has been advocating on the front lines for decades. In this engaging and enlightening session, Dr. Woltanski will share stories from her personal experiences as a passionate advocate, and offer her sage advice on how to be a strong and effective advocate in any situation. |
Hormone Happy Hour Dr. Mary Woods Hormones influence nearly every aspect of a woman’s health, and every woman experiences hormonal transitions throughout her life—especially in midlife, when changes can feel disruptive, confusing and deeply personal. Despite their profound impact, hormones have long been overlooked, misunderstood, and even villainized. The good news is that this narrative is shifting. More women are advocating for informed, individualized care and calling for greater clarity, nuance, and empowerment in women’s health. Join Mary Woods, MD, and Kate Banick of Good Health Clinic for an engaging and empowering conversation about women’s hormones and their impact on overall health. Dr. Woods will share her clinical insights on midlife changes, address common questions about testing and treatment options, and offer guidance to help you determine what may be right for you. You’re not crazy. You’re not overreacting. Let’s talk about what’s really going on. Bring your questions for the Q&A portion! |
Dr. Mary Woods is a Family Medicine Physician, practicing primary care at The Medical Center at Ocean Reef. Prior to that, she worked as a hospitalist at Mariners and Fishermen’s Community Hospitals, where she served on the Medical Executive Committees of both hospitals. She has supported the Good Health Clinic as a volunteer physician since 2017, and currently serves as Board Chairman. Dr. Woods is passionate about providing full-scope patient care including mental and emotional wellbeing and access to resources. She is also interested in closing the gap on health care disparities for women, minorities, and those lacking financial resources. Dr. Woods has lived in the Keys for the past decade. She enjoys a quiet life – reading, spending time with family, and building a home garden. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in April.
Kate Banick has over a decade of experience in community and public health. She serves as Executive Director of Good Health Clinic, where she works to expand access to high-quality healthcare. In 2021, she was honored with the Inspiring Woman of Health Award by the Health Foundation of South Florida for her work. Previously, Kate worked with the Paul Newman–founded Safe Water Network, supporting sustainable drinking water initiatives in developing countries, and with CT Challenge, a cancer survivorship health initiative. |
Upper Keys Business and Professional Women's Club is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.
P.O. Box 231, Tavernier, FL 33070