Your trusted source for community news
Stay informed about what’s happening in Farmers Branch, Addison and Carrollton. Sign up for the Branch Herald’s free local newsletter.
The Metrocrest Area Chamber’s Women in Business Leadership Conference brought a packed room to Venue Forty | 50 on April 29, with a focus on practical strategies, real-world experience and connection.
The half-day event featured speakers from across North Texas, including AI safety expert Holly Shipley, D Magazine President Gillea Allison and podcasting strategist Sherry Sutton. The program blended keynote-style talks with conversational segments, including a fireside chat that leaned into candid discussion over polished talking points.
Shipley’s presentation focused on how to safely and effectively use artificial intelligence in day-to-day business operations. She shared practical guardrails for protecting sensitive information, verifying outputs and avoiding common pitfalls, while encouraging attendees not to shy away from the technology. Instead, she urged them to experiment, learn by doing and treat AI as a tool to enhance their work.
Sutton’s session centered on podcasting as an accessible marketing tool for small businesses, emphasizing consistency over perfection. She walked attendees through how business owners can quickly launch a show and use one 20-minute podcast each month to create dozens of social media posts and reels.
Allison joined Cristal Retana Lule for a fireside chat that focused on leadership, change and navigating life as a woman. The conversation touched on decision-making, career pivots and the realities behind executive roles, offering a more grounded look at leadership than the typical highlight reel.
The event also created space for networking, with attendees ranging from small business owners to corporate professionals. Conversations between sessions were just as active as the programming, underscoring the chamber’s goal of building relationships alongside sharing expertise.
Brunch was served, but the real draw was the mix of actionable ideas and accessible speakers, a combination that kept the room engaged through the final session.
Local News Matters.
