Sparking Success Conference

The best business decisions are informed by a multitude of perspectives.

Sparking Success Conference: Change Management, Leadership and Resilience

The Sparking Success conference offers a platform for raising awareness, promoting dialogue and cultivating skills within the academic and business spheres.

Sparking Success Conference – 10th Anniversary

Location and Timing

Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
8:30 am – 1:30 pm, with reception to follow
McNair Hall, Rice University
This is a free event, but registration is required.

At Rice Business, we endeavor to create a rich learning environment that considers and appreciates a multitude of perspectives that lead to enhanced decision-making. We consider this mindset a critical leadership skill in today’s increasingly global and inclusive workplace.

The Sparking Success conference offers a platform for raising awareness, promoting dialogue and cultivating skills within the academic and business spheres.

If interested in sponsorship, please contact Lina Y. Bell at 713-348-4731.

Agenda

*All events in AFC (Room 115) – McNair Hall unless otherwise indicated.

Time	Description
8:15 am – 8:30 am	Registration - 1st Floor Rotunda, McNair Hall
8:30 am	Welcome Constance Porter, Senior Associate Dean for Belonging and Engagement, Associate Clinical Professor of Marketing, Rice Business Keynote Address – Love As a Change Strategy Co-authors: Mohammad F. Anwar, President & CEO, Softway and Culture+ Jeffrey F. Ma, Director, Softway and Culture+ Frank E. Danna, Director, Softway and Culture+ Introduction: Sierra Fredenrich '26
9:45 am – 10:30 am	Houston Area Survey Insights Ruth López Turley, Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research Professor of Sociology, Rice University Introduction: Kelvin Searose-Xu '26
10:30 am – 10:40 am	Break
10:45 am – 11:30 am	Industry Insider Perspectives Obi Ihekweazu, Principal Counsel, Cheniere Energy, Inc. Anthony Rodriguez Sanchez Lee '24, Sr. Associate Banker, J.P. Morgan Private Bank Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President, CEO- Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Moderator: Ingrid Robinson '10, CEO & President – Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) Introduction: Adaeze Eze '26
11:35 am – 12:30 pm	Breakout Sessions I Option A – Leading Resilient Teams: Resources, Recovery and Thriving After Change - Room 214 Danielle King, Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Associate Professor, Psychological Sciences Introduction: Joyce'Alyn Payne '26 Option B – NeuroDiversity Matters – Room 318 Tracy Winter, Neurodiversity Specialist, Leadership and Executive Coach Introduction: Tatania Gosien '26
12:35 pm – 1:30 pm	Breakout Sessions II Option A – Leading with Confidence and Self-Care: Break Free from Fear of Failure, Perfectionism and Burnout – AFC, Room 115 Ijeoma Nwaogu, Owner, Everlead, LLC Introduction: LC Dy '26 Option B – Prioritizing Self-Mastery Amidst Change - Room 214 Sonya Ware, CEO and Strategist, Sonya Ware Executive Consulting, LLC Introduction: Pedro Morales '26
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm	Networking Reception - Gibbs Convocation Hall, Suite 200