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Keynote Speaker- Jerakah Heady
Jerakah Heady is a strategist of life, leadership, and becoming. She is the voice women turn to when they are done surviving and ready to rise with intention, grit, and gratitude. Jerakah speaks to the woman who knows there is more for her and is finally ready to claim it. Through her signature framework and movement rooted in clarity, courage, and conscious action, Jerakah helps women stop waiting for permission and start making decisive moves toward the lives they are meant to live.Her work sits at the intersection of ambition and alignment. Career and calling. Strength and softness. Discipline and joy. Through her keynote, Jerakah challenges audiences to take radical ownership of their story, steward their lives with purpose, and make the bold, often uncomfortable moves that change everything.
She does not motivate. She activates. And when she speaks, women leave clearer, steadier, and ready to move.
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"Owning Our Mindset" Session- Alisa Troccia
Alisa Troccia is a lifelong member of the local community, an entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for personal growth, wellness, and intentional living. Born and raised in the area, she is deeply committed to giving back and creating meaningful impact through both her work and community involvement.
She is the founder and owner of ECG Promotions, a full-service marketing and promotional agency established in 2009, now celebrating over 15 years in business. In addition, Alisa partners with a botanical and functional wellness brand focused on helping individuals feel better from the inside out through holistic solutions.
A former radio host and active community leader, Alisa also serves as the Director of the Miss Colonial Days Pageant, where she helps young girls build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community through service and responsibility. She is also the founder of Paint the Night Pink, a charitable event created to raise awareness and funds for cancer support services.
Known for her belief in mindset, gratitude, and intentional action, Alisa is passionate about inspiring women to own their confidence, align their beliefs with their goals, and show up as the person they are becoming. She is honored to return to the Own It Women’s Conference and share her message alongside such an empowering group of women.
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"Owning Our Resiliency" Session- Michelle Caulfield
Michelle A. Caulfield has served as Superintendent of the Corning-Painted Post Area School District since 2020, bringing more than 30 years of experience in public education, leadership, and student advocacy. A visionary and values-driven leader, Michelle is deeply committed to academic excellence, equity, and authentic community engagement. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that students are at the center of all decision-making, and she is widely respected for her transparent, collaborative approach.
Michelle’s career reflects a true “classroom-to-administration” journey. She began her career in 1995 as an English teacher, developing a strong understanding of the student experience before advancing into leadership roles including Assistant Principal, Director of Secondary Education, and Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in strengthening curriculum, enhancing instructional practices, and leading meaningful school improvement initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, an Administrative Degree from SUNY Cortland, and a Superintendency Certificate from SUNY Owego.
In her session, “Owning Our Resiliency,” Michelle will draw from her personal and professional journey to explore what it means to lead through change with strength, adaptability, and purpose. Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on how resilience is built, sustained, and intentionally owned- both in their careers and in their personal lives. With insight, authenticity, and practical perspective, Michelle’s session offers meaningful takeaways for anyone navigating leadership, challenge, or growth.
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"Owning Our Health" Panel- Dr. April Hortman, Dr. Michael Cilip, and Dr. Elizabeth Werner
This open and empowering panel brings together experts to discuss the many layers of women’s health- physical, hormonal, and mental. From hormone health and treatment options to mental well-being and proactive care, panelists will explore how these areas intersect and impact long-term health, including cancer risk. Through honest conversation and audience engagement, attendees will gain practical insight, feel supported, and leave better equipped to advocate for their whole health.
Dr. April Hortman, PhD (pictured left) is a licensed clinical social worker, human development specialist, and founder of Unbound Counseling and Consulting. With extensive experience supporting individuals, professionals, and organizations, her work centers on mental health and grief, particularly the often-unspoken grief that accompanies change, role shifts, unmet expectations, and life transitions.
Dr. Hortman founded Unbound after years of working hard, playing by the rules, and being told to wait, adjust, or fit within systems that never fully aligned. Rather than continuing to shrink herself to fit, she chose to create something unbound. Grounded in strength-based, goal-focused, and trauma-informed practice, she believes growth begins by naming what has been lost, telling the truth about where we are, and moving forward together through connection and community.
Dr. Michael Cilip is an Internal Medicine Specialist with more than 42 years of diverse clinical experience and a strong commitment to patient-centered care. Throughout his career, he has treated more than 280,000 patients, combining depth of experience with a compassionate approach to medicine. A graduate of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, he earned his medical degree with honors in 1982 and has built a practice that blends traditional internal medicine with advanced, evidence-based strategies focused on longevity, metabolic health, and overall wellness.
Dr. Cilip is highly skilled in aesthetic and regenerative treatments, offering cosmetic injectables such as Botox and Dysport, along with a range of dermal fillers, including Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF). His aesthetic philosophy emphasizes natural, balanced results tailored to each patient’s goals. He also brings extensive experience in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for both men and women, using comprehensive lab evaluations, individualized dosing, and ongoing monitoring to support energy, metabolism, cognitive function, sexual health, and overall vitality.
In addition, Dr. Cilip focuses on sustainable weight loss and health optimization through personalized plans that combine natural and medicinal approaches, including appetite regulation, nutrition, exercise guidance, metabolic support, and targeted peptide therapies. He is also the creator of the BlueMED program for active and retired law enforcement officers, addressing the unique physical and emotional demands of the profession. This program has been recognized with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-in-Chief’s Gold Medal at both the state and national levels.
Elizabeth Werner, MD (pictured left), is a board-certified radiologist specializing in breast imaging and intervention. She currently serves as Chief of Breast Imaging at Guthrie, where she has practiced since 2014. Dr. Werner is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered breast care, with a focus on early cancer detection, patient education, and empowering women to make informed decisions about their breast health. Dr. Werner is passionate about caring for women at some of their most vulnerable moments and believes that clear communication, trust, and compassion are just as essential as advanced technology in breast imaging. She recognizes the unique anxiety many women experience when navigating breast health concerns and breast imaging. She works closely with clinical teams to ensure each patient receives thoughtful, coordinated care. Dr. Werner earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed her diagnostic radiology training and breast imaging fellowship at William Beaumont Hospital (now Corewell Health) in Royal Oak, Michigan. Outside of medicine, she enjoys discovering new favorite recipes, reading historical fiction, exploring life in the Finger Lakes, watching Formula 1 racing, and spending time with her husband and son.
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"Owning Our Finances" Session- Amanda Herrick Smith and Lisa Fusco
Owning Our Finances is presented by Amanda L. Herrick Smith, CFP®, and Lisa Fusco of John G. Ullman & Associates. Together, they’ll explore how our financial choices reflect our values and how becoming more intentional with money can feel empowering rather than restrictive. This conversation will help attendees build confidence, reduce stress, and align their finances with who they are and how they want to Own It.
Amanda’s (pictured left) upbringing in rural New York instilled the value and satisfaction of productive work. She understands that clients have worked hard to obtain their own successes and she is highly dedicated to help others achieve their financial wants, needs, and dreams. Amanda believes that there is more to financial planning than number crunching, it is an educational experience we share with others to help make sound decisions we can feel good about. Amanda joined John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc. in 2006 after obtaining her Bachelors in Financial Planning. She works with clients as a Senior Advisor to develop, coordinate, implement, and monitor all aspects of their financial plans.
Lisa Fusco (pictured right) is a Regional Manager, Relationship Development with John G. Ullman & Associates, serving out of the Big Flats office since October 2024. Lisa holds a dual Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and
Biochemistry from Keuka College. She worked as a Project Manager for Corning, Inc. for six years before becoming a stay at- home mom to her four children - two biological daughters and an adopted daughter and son from Guatemala. During that time, Lisa found her passion. She envisions a vibrant community where our neighbors are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their personal goals. Her passion is evident through her achievements at the Steuben County Habitat for Humanity and Hardinge, Inc. where she focused on business, community and people development initiatives. In her spare time, Lisa serves as Chair of the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce and is involved in various other community organizations. In addition to being a mom to four kids and two dogs, Lisa leads international mission trips to Ecuador and serves as Missions Team Leader at her church. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, cooking and cheering on the Buffalo BiIls.
