Learn Grow Lead
A conference for business & administrative professionals
Your Out of Office Opportunity to Learn, Grow, and Lead
Welcome to Learn Grow Lead, the conference where administrative and business professionals come together to sharpen their skills, boost productivity, and leave with practical tools to transform the workplace. Get ready for a day packed with insightful keynote speakers, hands-on breakout sessions, and plenty of opportunities for networking.
We're kicking off the day with a warm cup of coffee and an even warmer conversation—because who doesn’t need a little caffeine to fuel those creative ideas? After that, we dive right into our keynote, "Don't Keep Score," where Ben Leibl, Public Relations Specialist at Kwik Trip, will explore the power of compassion and how treating others with care can create a happier, more fulfilling workplace.
Then, it's time to roll up your sleeves for a series of engaging breakout sessions covering everything from mastering Microsoft tools to managing stress, navigating generational differences, and even growing your own microgreens.
We've got something for everyone, whether you're looking to enhance your communication skills, refine your leadership strategies, or add a little mindfulness to your workday.
Event Pricing
$159 – Normal Registration
$109 – UW & K12 Partners
$99 – CVTC
Register to Join Us!
Fill out the form below to save your seat at this year's conference. Need help registering? Contact our Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education team: 715-874-4676 or workforcesolutions@cvtc.edu.
We will never share or sell your information outside of CVTC. We may, on occasion, contact you regarding relevant services, events, and materials. You may opt out at any time. View our privacy policy to understand how we collect and use your information.
2025 Conference Schedule
7:15 - 7:45 a.m. | Coffee & Conversation
7:45 - 8 a.m. | Welcome
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8 - 8:45 a.m. | Keynote Presentation
Don't Keep Score
Presented By: Ben Leibl
This presentation will focus on compassion in the workplace, how we should treat others, and why we shouldn't "keep score" with our coworkers. There will also be a focus on how serving others without expecting anything in return is an essential key to finding happiness in life.
8:45 - 9:05 a.m. | Break
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9:05 - 10:35 a.m. | Breakout Session #1
Conversation Competence at Work
Presented By: Connie LeCleir-Meyer
When conversations matter most, we often perform at our worst and wonder why. In this session, you’ll learn about the stories we tell ourselves that shape our reactions and relationships. Discover ways to challenge those unhelpful stories to create productive dialogue and turn difficult conversations into opportunities for growth.
Mission Control: Strengthening Opportunities for Focused Growth
Presented By: Ken Pearson
You will learn how a purposeful mission statement and understanding your strengths, areas of improvement, opportunities, and challenges can keep you on track for intentional, professional growth. You'll learn how to prioritize and act on the meaningful activities that will bring you fulfillment and make you more efficient, how to approach areas of improvement strategically, and how to let go of activities that have no relevance to your professional goals.
Outlook, Teams, and Loop: Tips and Tricks
Presented By: John Cook
Boost your productivity and streamline your workflows with the latest tips and tricks in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, and Loop. This interactive session is designed to help you master advanced features, collaborate efficiently, and manage tasks seamlessly. Gain practical insights and hands-on experience to simplify your daily operations and enhance your team’s efficiency.
Prompting with Purpose: Generative AI for Everyday Excellence
Presented By: Melody Brennan & Larissa Smith
Participants will explore the power of generative AI to enhance productivity, creativity, and problem-solving in the workplace. Learn practical techniques for crafting effective prompts that yield meaningful results tailored to your industry and role. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, participants will build confidence using AI tools to streamline tasks, generate innovative ideas, and support informed decision-making. Whether you're new to AI or looking to refine your skills, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies to integrate AI into your professional toolkit.
Resume and Cover Letter Development and Leveraging LinkedIn as a Career Development Tool
Presented By: Melissa Wilson
This session is designed to help you take charge of your career journey with actionable insights and practical tools. Learn how to craft tailored, standout resumes and cover letters that highlight your unique skills and experiences. Discover how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, expand your professional network, and use the platform as a powerful tool for career advancement. Whether you're starting out or navigating a career change, this workshop offers the guidance you need to excel in today's competitive job market.
10:35 - 10:55 a.m. | Break
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10:55 - 11:55 a.m. | Breakout Session #2
Fresh Greens, Made Easy: A Microgreens Growing Workshop
Presented By: Sean Vanderwaal
Discover how easy and rewarding it is to grow your own microgreens—a tasty, nutritious addition to any dish, even ice cream! You'll leave this session with newfound knowledge, a smile on your face, and a tray of microgreens ready for your windowsill.
Mindfulness and Movement in the Workplace
Presented By: Kayla Sygulla
This session offers practical tools for incorporating mindfulness and gentle movement into the workday. Participants will learn simple chair yoga poses and mindfulness techniques to reduce stress, increase focus, and promote well-being—all from the convenience of their workspace. These easy, accessible practices support a balanced, productive, and more mindful work environment.
Taking Care of You While Taking Care of Others
Presented By: Christy Langman
Experience simple practices to build resilience, recharge, and combat compassion fatigue without needing hours and dollars. Discover ways to sneak these practices into your busy days and create a personal plan to ensure you have energy left for you!
An Introduction to the Meditative Art of Zentangle®
Presented By: Deanna Hoyord
Zentangle® is a meditational art form that is easy to learn. Each structured pattern is created with deliberate strokes, one line at a time. It is incredibly beneficial for reducing stress and improving mental and emotional well-being. Explore this meditative drawing method and discover its benefits to put aside your daily distractions and find your own creative spirit.
11:55 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Lunch & Networking
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1 - 2 p.m. | Breakout Session #3
Change Management
Presented By: Connie LeCleir-Meyer
Navigating change in the workplace is challenging. In this session, you'll learn the fundamentals of change management and its impact on our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Discover ways to support your team with the skills needed to promote a more collaborative workforce.
Navigating Generational Differences in the Workplace
Presented By: Dan Lytle
For the first time in history, five generations are working together in the workforce. This session will explore how each generation impacts the workplace through real-life stories, helping you understand today’s diverse workforce and offering strategies to enhance collaboration and boost productivity across generations.
Make Uncertainty Your Ally
Presented By: Marya Wilson
Shifts and changes create uncertainty. Uncertainty creates fear. Fear creates chaos. Chaos creates all kinds of grief. Sounds like fun, right? Uncertainty doesn’t have to take the stronghold over us that we sometimes allow. Uncertainty can create great opportunities for growth and success in our personal and professional lives. Join us for a discussion about the emotions of uncertainty and how to use your personal power to make uncertainty your strongest ally.
Strategies for Managing Stress and Burnout
Presented By: Julie Bates-Maves
Unlock the secrets to a healthier workplace! Discover the key factors in stress and burnout and how workplace dynamics contribute to each. Learn practical strategies to support your employees and create a more productive work environment.
2 - 2:20 p.m. | Break
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2:20 - 3:20 p.m. | Breakout Session #4
Lean Fundamentals in the Workplace
Presented By: Matt Lind
Lean fundamentals were born out of manufacturing practices but, in recent times, have transformed into the world of workplace management, project management, human resources, system analysis, etc. Lean encourages continuous improvement and is based on identifying and eliminating those steps, processes, or systems that do not add value (waste). This session will cover the main principles of lean, which are defining value, mapping the value stream, creating flow, using a pull system, and pursuing perfection, which is considered the recipe for improving workplace efficiency. This class will introduce tools, activities, and resources that can be utilized in any work environment.
Microaggressions in the Workplace
Presented By: Kristi Hagen
Microaggressions can create hostile and underperforming workplaces. This workshop helps participants understand what types of aggression and threats can be present in the workplace and the difference between macroaggressions, microaggressions, and stereotype threat. They will learn how these negatively impact workplace performance and ways to identify, address, and reduce aggressions and stereotype threat to enhance workplace performance and teamwork.
Organizational Culture: What is it and how can I improve it?
Presented By: Josh Royes
This session will define organizational culture and explore its key components, helping participants understand how it shapes their own workplace. Attendees will gain insights into how to assess and enhance organizational culture, with practical strategies for creating a more positive and productive work environment.
The Power of Polished Prose: Mastering Business Writing and Proofreading
Presented By: Hanna Bartels
Discover how clear, error-free communication can elevate your professional credibility. This hands-on session will guide you through common business writing pitfalls and provide practical strategies for catching errors, improving readability, and ensuring professionalism in your documents, emails, and more.
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