2026 SPEAKERS

Jacquie is a powerhouse in every sense of the word - she is a devoted wife, loving mother, successful business owner, and passionate author. Growing up in a military family, Jacquie had the unique privilege of living all over the world, which shaped her into the dynamic, courageous, and well-rounded woman she is today.
Her mission? To empower women everywhere to live lives filled with peace, purpose, and joy—no regrets, just lessons learned. With an unwavering faith in God and a heart full of compassion, Jacquie inspires others to know that with God, all things are possible. She believes that when you hear God’s voice and see yourself as He sees you, you can overcome anything life throws your way.
Jacquie’s deep commitment to faith, family, and personal growth will move you. Her message is one of hope, strength, and the incredible power of obedience and trust. Get ready to be inspired as Jacquie shares her wisdom and insights with us today!
Please give a warm welcome to Jacquie J!"

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​Charli K. Matthews has been an entrepreneur for over a decade, dedicated to connecting, informing, and empowering the global pump industry. She’s the visionary behind an online hub that’s transformed how the industry shares knowledge and stays connected. Known for her energy and innovative ideas, Charli bridges the gap between traditional practices and modern digital strategies, driving change for manufacturers, engineers, and reliability professionals.
Charli is also deeply committed to empowering women in industry, using her leadership coaching and advocacy to inspire confidence and foster growth. As an open-heart surgery survivor and the 2024/2025 Executives with Heart Chair, she leads with resilience and passion. With certifications in the Leadership Launchpad Coaching Program and Legacy Leaders program through Elite High Performance, Charli equips others to lead authentically and create fulfilling lives.

Brittany Buck is an assistant superintendent with R.C. Mathews Contractor in Nashville, Tennessee. She is President of her local National Association of Women in Construction chapter, which is the largest in the country. She is also on the board of directors for Crew Collaborative, an organization that helps recruit construction’s next generation through social media, virtual classroom talks and other outreach initiatives. Her passion is showing young people a path to fulfilling and prosperous careers in the construction field. She shares her story on Instagram (@builderwithabow), LinkedIn, guest appearances on podcasts and local news, and speaking at conferences and industry events.

Heather Falls is a business growth strategist, motivational speaker, and digital entrepreneur dedicated to helping women step into their purpose, build confidence, and create profitable, sustainable businesses—without sacrificing what matters most.

She is the founder of GROW & Flourish Co, a thriving community in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, that empowers ambitious women entrepreneurs to market their brands with confidence, scale their businesses strategically, and achieve work-life balance in alignment with their values. Through local events and collaborations, GROW & Flourish Co also gives back—supporting women and children in need with every event hosted.

With a focus on practical strategies and actionable tools, Heather equips women to simplify their sales and marketing, streamline their systems, and turn their ideas into income—all while honoring their priorities and purpose.

Award-winning portrait photographer Sarah Pennington spent 15 years serving in HR and marketing roles in the automotive and medical device industries. It wasn’t until she stepped out of the security of a salary and a 401k, however, that she finally discovered her purpose. Nearly a decade later, she has photographed thousands of faces, finding that her deepest passion is connecting with women to showcase the best of their unique qualities. With a talent for creating an easy, comfortable atmosphere, Sarah’s goal for every session is to help her subjects own their authentic beauty and embrace the power found in being truly seen. From small-town Alabama to downtown Chicago to the mountains of Uganda, her work celebrates individuality, with images that go beyond surface beauty to depict true character.

Sarah holds a B.S. of Journalism from Bowling Green State University. An 11-year resident of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, she leads a weekly traumatic brain injury and stroke support group for survivors and caregivers and has been an active member of Business Networking International for eight years.  In her spare time, she also loves laughing with her husband, Spencer, and stepson, Hudson, and travels often to Ohio to visit family.

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Janet Polach, Ph.D. specializes in partnering with c-suite leaders, vice presidents, and non-profit executives who aspire to transcend the confines of everyday operations. Her mission is to guide them in evolving from tactical problem-solvers to visionary strategic leaders. As a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and author of The Strategic Leader's Mindset, she brings a wealth of experience in cultivating leadership at its highest level. Leaders who work with her walk away with fresh perspectives, actionable roadmaps for sustainable success, and the ability to lead with equal parts heart and vision.  She does this through 1:1 and small group coaching and highly interactive leadership development programs

Amanda is the Director of the Alabama Securities Commission where she has been employed since 2008.  She is responsible for advising the Commission on securities-related matters, investigating and prosecuting fraudulent actions surrounding the sales of securities throughout the state of Alabama, and has coordinated and litigated numerous multi-jurisdictional administrative, civil, and criminal matters. She also serves as a legislative liaison for the Commission.  In that capacity, she advocates for investor protections, market integrity, and promoting responsible capital formation in Alabama.

Amanda is involved on both the state and local level in various organizations which address issues and promote awareness of Elder Abuse and Investment Fraud; including the Montgomery County Elder Justice Task Force and the Alabama Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.  She is actively involved in the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), where she has served as Chairman of the Cybersecurity Committee, Chair of the Broker Dealer Market and Regulatory Policy Committee and is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Enforcement Section.  She is a frequent speaker on Alabama’s securities laws, Elder Justice, Financial Literacy, and an instructor in a securities litigation course offered through NASAA.  Amanda has testified before the United State House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy on fraud and elder exploitation and before the United States Securities Exchange Commission’s Investor Advisory Committee.