RISE Conference 2025

One-day conference that will connect, inspire, and help you learn how to succeed as a leader in today's business world. OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS

About this Event


From Students to Leaders: Rise to Your Potential

Don't miss the RISE Conference (Formerly known as Polished) at Utah Valley University on Friday, November 7. Featuring engaging speakers on topics of Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Personal Financial Planning, and Career Development.

RISE is a dynamic, full-day experience for students to connect with business leaders, explore career opportunities, and gain real-world insights. Featuring a keynote luncheon with bestselling author Trina Celeste, This event gives you the chance to build confidence, sharpen career skills, and expand your professional network.

RISE is free and open to all students and young alumni. Registration includes the lunch and a swag bag with goodies from sponsors, and a free copy of the keynote speaker's book!

Can't attend the entire conference? No problem! You’re welcome to join for specific sessions that fit your schedule. We encourage you to participate however you can! For those who join for all sessions will be entered into a drawing for awesome prizes after the last session.

RISE Conference Schedule

• 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Check-in & Professional Photographs
• 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Career Development Workshops
• 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Networking Reception & Soda Bar
• 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Luncheon & Keynote Speaker: Trina Celeste
• 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: Breakout Sessions
• 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Discussion Panel, "Rise Up with AI: Leadership, Finance & Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age"
• 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Networking Reception & Prize Giveaway

Thank you to this year's sponsors:

• Green Dot Bank
• Woodbury School of Business
• UVU Entrepreneurship Institute
• UVU Money Success Center & PFP Program
• UVU Business Impact Lab

Agenda


🕑: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
RISE Conference (Formerly known as Polished)

Info: RISE is a dynamic, full-day experience for students to connect with business leaders, explore career opportunities, and gain real-world insights. Can't attend the entire conference? No problem! Look at the sessions below and attend the parts of the day that work for your schedule.

🕑: 09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Check-in & Professional Photographs

Info: Check-in and sign up to take professional photographs to use for your LinkedIn Profile

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Resilience in Action — From Olympian to Entrepreneur and Global Inspiration
Host: Akwasi Frimpong

Info: • Join Ghana's first Skeleton Olympian, Akwasi Frimpong, as he delivers an engaging presentation about his remarkable 17-year Olympic journey and the inspiration behind founding the Hope Of A Billion Foundation (HOAB). Through his story and HOAB’s innovative programs, Akwasi highlights the power of resilience and the importance of reflecting on personal experiences to create positive change. This session will inspire students to pursue their dreams while exploring how their own stories can uplift and empower others.

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Negotiate Like a Pro
Host: Jo Dailami

Info: Ready to stop leaving money on the table? This session offers tools & tactics to earn higher salaries. Learn to confidently navigate job offers and ask for raises so you can take control of your career and your paycheck.

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Art of Getting Hired
Host: Alex Call

Info: Landing your dream job takes more than a polished resume; it’s about telling your story with confidence. Join three leading financial services professionals as they share insider tips on how to stand out in interviews, master the STAR method, and showcase your strengths in ways that resonate with employers. Whether you’re preparing for your first big interview or looking to refine your approach, this session will equip you with practical tools and proven strategies to get hired and thrive.

🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Networking Reception & Soda Bar

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Luncheon & Keynote Speaker: Trina Celeste (Orchestrating Life-Work Harmony)
Host: Trina Celeste

Info: Orchestrating Life-Work Harmony:

Conducting Your Personal Symphony of Personal and Professional Success

• Discover how to move beyond “work-life balance” into true Life-Work Harmony with Trina Celeste. In this keynote you’ll learn to tune into your core purpose, remove the weeds of self-doubt, and set sustainable rhythms that power both career growth and personal well-being. Leave ready to pick up the baton and conduct your own success—on campus, in the boardroom, and everywhere in between.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:35 PM
Success Isn’t Linear: How to Pivot, Adapt, and Thrive
Host: Jamaica Martin

Info: Your soft skills are often the most valuable tools you bring to the table. In this session, Jamaica shares how skills like empathy, communication, adaptability, and resilience helped her transition from social work into sales leadership and event marketing. Attendees will learn how to identify the soft skills they already have and apply them to stand out in any career path.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:35 PM
From Pennies to Profits: Unlocking Growth Potential
Host: Maysen Minor

Info: Every big success starts small. Explore how vision, resilience, and the right mindset can transform humble beginnings into lasting impact and profitability.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:35 PM
Utah is Last Again for Women Equality: What Can We Do
Host: Dr. Tulinda Larsen

Info: For the 11th year in a row, Utah has been ranked 50th out of all U.S. states for women’s equality. This session will explore the systemic barriers contributing to Utah’s persistent ranking, including wage gaps, leadership representation, and access to opportunities. More importantly, it will focus on actionable solutions—what individuals, communities, businesses, and policymakers can do to create meaningful change. Together, we will examine strategies to elevate women’s voices, increase economic and leadership opportunities, and foster a culture of equity that benefits all Utahns.

🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:20 PM
Inside the Financial Industry: Real Stories, Real Impact
Host: Jennifer Swindler

Info: • What does a career in financial planning really look like? In this candid panel, three accomplished professionals share their personal journeys into the industry—the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the lessons learned along the way. Students will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the opportunities within financial services, hear how leaders built meaningful careers, and walk away with inspiration (and practical advice) to shape their own path forward.

🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:20 PM
The Power of Connection: Building Relationships That Last
Host: Sindee Savage

Info: In today’s workforce, technical skills will get you in the door—but it’s your ability to connect, build trust, and nurture relationships that will carry you forward. In this workshop, Sindee Savage shares lessons from nearly two decades of producing global events and leading communities, showing how curiosity, intention, and authentic connection can open doors to opportunities, strengthen leadership, and create lasting impact.

🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Rise Up with AI: Leadership, Finance & Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age
Host: Jonyce Bullock

Info: Join us for an engaging discussion panel where industry leaders explore how AI is reshaping entrepreneurship, personal financial planning, and leadership. Designed for students, this session will show you how to harness AI to market yourself, strengthen career skills, and stand out in the workplace of tomorrow.

🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Networking Reception & Prize Giveaway

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