Leadership. Innovation. Branding. Connection. Your Next Level Starts Here
Next Level You is more than a conference—it’s an experience designed to equip leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and aspiring changemakers with the tools they need to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world.
Through dynamic speakers and actionable strategies, attendees will discover how to become more confident leaders, build high-performing teams, leverage artificial intelligence to work smarter, strengthen their personal brands, create meaningful connections, and develop the mindset needed to achieve lasting success. Each session is designed to provide practical insights that can be implemented immediately in business, careers, and everyday life.
The conference will be held Monday, September 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Daniel Offutt III Theatre at the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. In addition to inspiring keynote presentations, the morning concludes with a live question-and-answer session and networking lunch, giving attendees the opportunity to continue conversations and build lasting professional relationships. Lunch is included with registration.
The program features five accomplished speakers, each bringing a unique perspective on leadership, business, communication, and personal growth.
Confidence and connection strategist Kim Carter will help attendees identify and overcome the barriers that often keep people from reaching their full potential. Through her signature B.A.G.S. Framework, Carter shares practical tools for replacing self-doubt with confidence and creating meaningful connections that lead to lasting personal and professional growth.
As organizations continue to adapt to rapidly evolving technology, leadership and culture coach Tanu Tiwari will explore how leaders can embrace artificial intelligence while keeping people at the center of innovation. Her presentation focuses on building workplace cultures where individuals feel empowered to contribute, collaborate, and grow together.
Speaker, writer and coach Jen Sellar explores the myth of reinvention, challenging whether growth requires fixing ourselves or becoming someone new. Drawing on lived experience, she reveals how Host Kim Carter expectations and borrowed definitions of success disconnect us from ourselves, inviting audiences to remember what matters and lead from within.
Drawing from more than 16 years with global brands including Marvel and Apple, communications strategist Ruheene Masand-Jaura will demonstrate how intentional storytelling and personal branding can elevate careers, businesses, and leadership. Her session offers practical techniques for communicating value, building credibility, and standing out in today’s competitive marketplace.
Entrepreneur and physical therapist Regie Tiu rounds out the lineup by sharing lessons learned while building a seven-figure healthcare business. His presentation focuses on creating organizations that thrive through strong leadership, loyal teams, and sustainable business practices that extend beyond the owner.
Beyond individual success, the conference emphasizes the importance of building stronger organizations. Attendees will learn practical strategies to strengthen collaboration, build trust, and inspire teams to perform at their highest potential, leaving with ideas they can immediately apply to create more connected, engaged, and effective workplaces.
Whether leading an organization, growing a business, preparing for a new career, or simply looking to invest in personal growth, attendees can expect to leave with fresh ideas, valuable connections, and a clearer roadmap for achieving their next level.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for students. Register at https://performingartscenteratgarrettc.ticketspice.com/next-level-you.
From the August issue of the Lakefront Magazine.