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Women's Leadership Summit

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(Check-In 11:00am EST)

Marriott Newton

2345 Commonwealth Ave
Newton, MA 02466

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3.00 Credits

Member Price $299.00

Non-Member Price $409.00

Overview

You could pay $0 for this course!

Mark your calendar for this fall! The Women’s Leadership Summit is heading to the Marriott Newton for a day of real-world takeaways, powerhouse speakers and incredible networking. Designed to help you lead with confidence, communicate your value and expand your regional circle, it’s the perfect opportunity to invest in your career and celebrate the 2026 Women to Watch Award winners live.

Massachusetts firms/companies with fewer than 50 staff can be reimbursed up to 100% of the cost of training and firms/companies with 50-100 employees can be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of training. You must register for the course and apply for reimbursement through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of the course to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-2248. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@necpas.org.

Thursday, October 29

General Session

- Registration and Networking

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

- Lunch and Presentation of Women to Watch Awards

Zachary Donah, New England Society of CPAs

Zachary Donah

Zach Donah, CAE, is president and CEO of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MassCPAs) where he leads state’s professional association of 11,500 certified public accountants (CPAs) and professionals working in their firms and organizations. Prior to his current role, Donah was Deputy CEO at MassCPAs where he worked with the Society’s leadership team on the overall management and oversight of the Society and its Educational Foundation, including advancing the organization’s strategic goals and objectives. He has been a member of the Society’s staff since 2013, serving in various role in the organization’s government affairs team, including vice president of advocacy, where he oversaw the Society’s government relations and the academic and career development programs and the MassCPAs Educational Foundation. Prior to joining the Society, Donah served as a legislative director and chief of staff in the Massachusetts State Senate.

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

- Networking Break and Dessert Buffet

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

- Wired Differently - A Neurodivergent Intro

Summer Jelinek, Summer Speaks LLC Summer Jelinek

Summer Jelinek

Summer Jelinek, MBA, PhD, is a leadership speaker, trainer and author with over 20 years of experience in restaurant and food service leadership at organizations including Walt Disney World, the Disney Institute, H-E-B and a Texas dude ranch. She works globally to help audiences explore leadership realities and build cohesive workplace cultures. As an autistic ADHDer and proud neurodivergent leader, Jelinek offers coaching for neurodivergent professionals and guidance for leaders supporting them. She also provides fractional learning and development services to help organizations elevate people strategies without adding full-time staff.

Neurodivergence is already shaping today's workplace, influencing how people communicate, solve problems and collaborate. From autism and ADHD to dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence, you're likely already working alongside neurodivergent colleagues. 


This session provides a practical introduction to neurodivergence, exploring how it presents in adults, challenging common misconceptions and highlighting the strengths that different ways of thinking can bring to the workplace. Through real-world examples, you'll gain a better understanding of neurodivergence and leave with practical insights for fostering a more inclusive and effective workplace. 

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

- Break

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

- Shake The World

Chelsea Berry, Epicenter Collective

Chelsea Berry

Chelsea Berry is Founder and CEO of Epicenter Collective, a keynote speaker, and an emotional intelligence and leadership strategist. Berry is the creator of Shake the World, a movement focused on helping individuals become intentional leaders through meaningful human connection. Her work centers on communication, leadership, and self-awareness, providing practical strategies that help leaders strengthen relationships and influence organizational culture. Before launching Epicenter Collective, Berry built and sold a financial planning practice, where she gained experience leading teams, growing a business, and building client relationships. Today, she works with organizations across industries to support leadership development, improve communication, and strengthen team performance. Through keynote presentations and leadership programs, Berry shares practical tools and actionable insights designed to help leaders communicate with confidence, build stronger connections, and recognize the impact of their everyday interactions

Pressure, disruption and change are part of every leader’s journey, yet many people spend their careers trying to avoid them. In this session, you’ll learn how to reframe pressure as purpose and discover how taking responsibility for your response can turn challenges into opportunities for growth. 

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

- Alumni Reception

This session is available to registrants only.

General Session

- Closing Remarks

Zachary Donah, New England Society of CPAs

Zachary Donah

Zach Donah, CAE, is president and CEO of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MassCPAs) where he leads state’s professional association of 11,500 certified public accountants (CPAs) and professionals working in their firms and organizations. Prior to his current role, Donah was Deputy CEO at MassCPAs where he worked with the Society’s leadership team on the overall management and oversight of the Society and its Educational Foundation, including advancing the organization’s strategic goals and objectives. He has been a member of the Society’s staff since 2013, serving in various role in the organization’s government affairs team, including vice president of advocacy, where he oversaw the Society’s government relations and the academic and career development programs and the MassCPAs Educational Foundation. Prior to joining the Society, Donah served as a legislative director and chief of staff in the Massachusetts State Senate.

This session is available to registrants only.

Participants in NECPAs events and programs agree to abide by the Society’s Code of Conduct.

Non-Member Price $409.00

Member Price $299.00