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

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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

Early Bird Registration (Now – June 30, 2025)

Regular Registration (July 1 – August 15, 2025)

Late Registration (August 16 – September 15, 2025)

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. 

 

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/ 

Become a member