2025 NRWA Annual Conference
Just as the phoenix rises from the ashes stronger and more resilient, we career services professionals face challenges that push us to adapt and grow.
Please join us at this year’s conference, aptly titled “Phoenix Rising,” where our in-depth workshops, featured presentations, in-person networking, and programming are sure to inspire attendees to emerge with renewed strength and sharpened expertise.
Don’t miss out on the magic at this year’s exclusive, in-person event.
A Few Highlights
- Pre-Conference Workshop. Behind the Recruiter’s Desk: Insider Insights to Help Resume Writers Deliver More Value to their Clients, by Corporate Recruiting Strategist John Gates
- Keynote Kickoff. The Future of Work – Top Trends for 2025 by Career Connector Jessica Pierce
- 14 Presentations across 3 Days. Topics span the gamut from resume and LinkedIn writing best practices to tactics for business building, process improvement, and revenue growth.
- First-Time Attendees. Please join us for Day One breakfast at the President’s Table on Tuesday.
- Career Stories Unplugged. A chance to share and hear “you can’t make this stuff up” stories from career pros who’ve lived the doubts, facepalms, and breakthroughs. Tuesday night. No filters. Just truth.
- Catch Ups. As always, we’ve built plenty of time in the schedule for networking, connecting, and reconnecting.
Visit Chandler
Visit Chandler | Chandler, AZ, part of the Metropolitan Phoenix area, is uniquely positioned to provide visitors easy access to various activities and fulfilling experiences. The city sees over 300 days of sunshine annually, setting the stage for invigorating outdoor recreation such as hiking, world-class golfing, horseback riding, and hot air ballooning over the majestic Sonoran desert. There are so many things to do in Chandler!
Registration is OPEN
Pre-Conference Workshop
- $200 NRWA Member/Non-Member
Early Bird Registration (Now – June 15, 2025)
- $650 NRWA Member
- $775 Non-Member
Regular Registration (June 16 – August 15, 2025)
- $750 NRWA Member
- $875 Non-Member
Late Registration (August 16 – September 15, 2025)
- $850 NRWA Member
- $975 Non-Member
Lodging and Travel
Click here to book your room
Crowne Plaza Resort, Phoenix - Chandler Golf Resort
Rate | $179.00 per night plus taxes & fees; room block closes September 12, 2025.
Check in: 12:00 p.m.
Check out: 3:00 p.m.
Parking for registered guests only.
Complimentary daily self-parking.
Featured Speakers
Click here to learn more about John Gates.
Click here to learn more about Jessica Pierce.
Click here to learn more about Nicholle Overkamp.
Conference Itinerary
Click here to print conference itinerary.
Please note: All times are Mountain Daylight Time
Monday, October 13, 2025 – WELCOME
- Pre-Conference Workshop
Behind the Recruiter’s Desk: Insider Insights to Help Resume Writers Deliver More Value to Their Clients –
John Gates
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Registration Check-In
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Welcome Party Sponsored by
Awaken & Arrive
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 – DAY ONE
- Registration / Breakfast Sponsored by
7:00 a.m. c 8:25 a.m.
- Official Conference Opening
President’s Welcome & Opening Keynote: The Future of Work – Top Trends for 2025 – Jessica Pierce
8:30 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
- Spotlight Session: Hosted by Our Sponsor, Purple Circle
What's Next? A Simple Roadmap to Growing Your Business Every Day
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
- Break / Visit with Vendors
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Concurrent Session: The Art of Storytelling in Resumes
Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, NCOPE, CPRW, PhD
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
- Concurrent Session: Network Like a Pro! Build Connections, Referrals & Your Business
Laura Bashore, Certified Career Coach, Certified AI Specialist
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
- Lunch Provided
12:25 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
- Concurrent Session: Unlocking New Revenue Streams with Digital Products
Stephanie Cartwright, CPRW
1:40 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
- Concurrent Session: Turn Up the Heat—Career Management Services
Ellen Steverson, NCRW, NCOPE, CCMC & Tom Powner, NCOPE, CPRW, CEIP
1:40 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
- Break / Visit with Vendors
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
- General Session: “Ask the Experts” Live!
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Dinner on Your Own
- Evening Activity: Storytellers
No stage. No slides. No polish. Just real talk from career pros.
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – DAY TWO
- Breakfast Sponsored by
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
- General Session: AI Isn’t Replacing Career Pros—It’s Empowering Them
Tom Powner, NCOPE, CPRW, CEIP
8:35 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.
- Break / Visit with Vendors
9:40 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.
- Concurrent Session: Reimagine Your Client Intake Process
Amy Adler, NCOPE, CMRW, MBA / Marni Vyn, MBA, CPRW, NCOPE
10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
- Concurrent Session: Empowering Students – Navigating the Job Placement Journey with Confidence
Danielle Powleson, NCOPE, CPRW, WOSB
10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
- Concurrent Session: The Career Thread – Helping Clients Explain Complicated Career Stories
Gina Riley, MS, YouMap® Certified
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Concurrent Session: Job Searching in the Modern Age
Donna Shannon, NCOPE, Master Career Director (MCD)
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Lunch Provided
12:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Concurrent Session: Invisible Barriers, Visible Strengths: Inclusive Career Services
Nancy Grant, MS, NCOPE, CCTC
1:35 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. - Concurrent Session: Preparing for 2025 Recruiting Trends
Vincent Vitale, NCRW, NCOPE
1:35 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
- Break / Visit with Vendors
2:35 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
- Concurrent Session: Federal vs. Private Sector Résumés
Lori Norris, CPRW, Certified Job and Career Transition Coach
3:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
- Concurrent Session: LinkedIn for Business Growth – More Referrals, More Visibility, More Opportunities
Mary Fain Brandt, Certified AI Consultant
3:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
- General Session: Beyond the Résumé – The Hidden Factors That Land Jobs
LaShanda Brown, MBA, SHRM Board Member
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
- Evening Reception: Next Horizon
ROAR Awards Announced
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 16, 2025 – DAY THREE
- Breakfast Provided Sponsored by
7:30 a.m. – 8:25 a.m.
- General Session
Conference Chair, Sara Timm, NCRW, NCOPE, NCCSC, will make closing remarks.
2025 President Cathy Lanzalaco, NCRW, NCOPE will present on the state of the NRWA and announce the Vivian Belen Award recipient.
Immediate Past President, Brenda Mariah, NCRW, NCOPE, will recognize our Industry Hero Award winner.
Incoming President, Nancy Grant, will introduce our new Board of Directors.
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Closing Keynote
Nicholle Overkamp
From Stuck to Unstoppable: The No-BS + AI-Boosted Blueprint to Thrive in Business This Year.
Nancy Grant will announce location of next conference.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
*Conference itinerary is subject to change.
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Committee Members
Conference Chair - Sara Timm, NCRW, NCOPE, NCCSC, MYFRCW, DISC Administrator | DFW Resume
Barbara Schultz, NCRW, NCOPE | The Career Stager
Dawn Rasmussen | Pathfinder Writing and Career Services LLC
Amy L. Adler, NCOPE, MA, MBA, CMRW, CARW, CEIC | Five Strengths Career Transition Experts
Elizabeth Gross | Job Search Divas
Paula Christensen, CPRW, CEIC, NCOPE, CGRA, CCMC, CJSS | Strategic Career Coaches
Ruth Sternberg, CPRW, CEIC, NCOPE
Danielle Powelson, CPRW | Ally Elite Agency
Shoni Bell, CPRW, NCOPE | Summit Resume Service
Alison King, NCOPE | King Career Services
Laura Bashore | Anew Resume and Career Services
Vincent Vitale
Virginia Franco, NCRW, NCOPE, CPRW, MRW, CEIP | Virginia Franco Resumes
Nancy Grant, NCOPE | Regional Career & Employment Services
Grant Cooper, CARW, NCOPE | Strategic Resumes & Business Plans
Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, CPRW, PhD, MBA | Feather Communications
Tanya King Floyd, NCRW, NCOPE | Alliance Résumé and Writing Service
Thank you to our Sponsor!
Purple Circle
Purple Circle is a community of coaches who want to grow their businesses, make an impact on the world, and be happier business owners. We are out to transform 1 billion lives by building coaching businesses that make a difference in the world. We do this by ensuring your business scales and impacts the world in the best way possible. Our community includes coaches who just made their first million to coaches who have made over $100 million.
Visit their website for more information: https://joinpurplecircle.com/
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