Strategic by Design: How to Stop Living on Default and Start Leading on Purpose

Thursday, December 11th

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Dutch's Daughter (IN PERSON ONLY)

Program Description:

Most professionals are stuck in default mode:  constantly putting out fires, responding to others’ needs, and calling it “success.” But real leadership isn’t about staying busy, it’s about staying aligned. In this session, Wendy S. Meadows, a lawyer-turned-coach and business owner, shares the real talk and real tools that helped her shift from burnout to balance.

Using relatable stories and simple, powerful strategies, you’ll learn how to stop running on autopilot and start leading with clarity and intention. Whether you're managing a team, growing a business, or just trying to keep it all together, this session will give you practical ways to reset your mindset, reclaim your time, and lead with purpose.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize when they’re stuck in “default mode” and identify common patterns that keep them reactive instead of strategic.
2. Use clear, practical tools to shift out of autopilot and make intentional decisions that align with their personal and professional goals.
3. Create simple alignment checkpoints to stay focused, grounded, and energized, both at work and in life.

Speaker Bio:

Wendy S. Meadows, best-selling author of sparkle & GRIT, inspires others to live a technicolor life by finding balance and beating burnout. Wendy’s experience comes from her unique career path of family law attorney turned life coach. Recognized for her excellence in family law, Wendy holds the AV Preeminent rating and continues to be honored as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Lawyers and Top 50 Women Lawyers. With over 20 years of combined experience in litigating, mediating, coaching, and consulting, Wendy offers highly relatable and spot-on insight. Today, Wendy leverages her extensive expertise to coach clients, provide strategic consulting for law firms, mediate family law disputes with empathy and precision, and deliver engaging talks at professional events. In her free time, she loves playing in the water with her family and dreaming up her next travel extravaganza.