October 1-2, 2025

National Harbor, MD & Virtual

Sharpen Your Leadership Edge

Two days. Game-changing connections. Fortune 500 insights. Join mid-level managers ready to accelerate growth and deliver real business results.

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What is MLMS?

The ELC's Mid-Level Manager's Symposium (MLMS)—it's where your leadership transforms. Join over 1,500 driven mid-level and senior professionals for two days of game-changing connections, Fortune 500 insights, and culturally relevant strategies that deliver real results.

This is your moment to accelerate growth, expand influence, and position yourself for what's next.Ready to elevate your leadership? Your transformation starts here.

Featured Speakers

Arian Simone

Serial Entrepreneur and co-founder of Fearless Fund

Will Packer

Producer and CEO, Will Packer Productions

Dr. Randal Pinkett

Founder and CEO, BCT Partners

Laysha Ward

Author, Board Member, C-Suite Leader, Speaker

What to Expect

2 stages. 5 key focus areas. 15 breakout sessions. 10+ speakers. 1,500 peers. 1 career-changing experience.

Inspire Stage:Where breakthrough moments happen. Join the full energy of 1,500 leaders as renowned speakers and industry trailblazers share the bold strategies that built their success. These aren't just presentations—they're catalysts for your next level.

Activate Stage:Your skills lab. Your strategy workshop. In intimate settings with seasoned leadership coaches, you'll master the core competencies that separate good managers from great leaders. Walk away with tools you'll use immediately.

Plus 15+ Power-Packed Breakout Sessions led by ELC Members and senior corporate leaders, each session is designed to give you The ELC Edge.

More Details
  • Financial & Business Acumen
  • Emotional Intelligence & Empathy
  • Change Leadership
  • Communication for Influence and Network Building
  • Cultural Competence

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

201 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD 20745 US

(301) 965-4000

**Please note: Program starts with breakfast at 8:00 AM, Wednesday, October 1 and concludes after 2:00 PM, Thursday, October 2

Sessions

Your roadmap to leadership excellence starts here. Browse our high-impact sessions designed to transform how you lead and deliver results.

Wednesday, October 1

Pitch and Persist: The Playbook for Fearless Corporate Game‑Changers

Arian Simone, Serial Entrepreneur and Co-founder of Fearless Fund

Arian Simone—serial entrepreneur and Fearless Fund cofounder—shares how she rebounded from cash crunches, bias, and headline-making litigation to keep funding bold ideas. Translating her venture capital playbook into corporate language, she shows professionals how to craft data-driven business cases that win executive sponsorship. Simone reveals how leveraging diversity as a market advantage and building cross-functional coalitions turns colleagues into invested allies. You’ll leave with a resilience toolkit to flip every “no” into momentum and champion breakthrough initiatives inside your organization.

From Script to Scale: Leading with Vision and Voice

Will Packer, Producer and CEO, Will Packer Media

From Hollywood hitmaker to cultural architect, Will Packer has built an empire by telling stories others overlooked—and doing it on his own terms. In this conversation, Packer breaks down how visionary thinking, strategic risk-taking, and authentic storytelling build influence across industries. He’ll share insights on brand leadership, building creative coalitions, and scaling ideas that resonate with global audiences. Expect a rare blend of business acumen, cultural insight, and unapologetic ambition designed to inspire leaders who want to produce impact at scale.

Thursday, October 2

Data, Discipline & Disruption for Next Level Leaders

Dr. Randal Pinkett, Founder and CEO, BCT Partners

Dr. Randal Pinkett—award-winning entrepreneur, scholar, author and tech innovator—unpacks how equity-centered leadership drives better performance, stronger teams, and smarter strategy. Drawing on his experiences leading multimillion-dollar enterprises and advising Fortune 500 clients, Pinkett explores how data, discipline, and disruption intersect to shape inclusive success. This is a session for leaders who want to lead with rigor and legacy, not just intention.

Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite

Laysha Ward, Author, Board Member, C-Suite Leader, Speaker

Join Laysha Ward for a candid conversation on what it really takes to lead with purpose, clarity, and conviction in today's evolving business landscape. Drawing insights from her new book Lead Like You Mean It, Ward shares the leadership lessons that matter most—especially for those who want to lead with impact, not just intention. This fireside chat explores how authenticity, equity, and influence intersect at the executive level. Expect to leave inspired, challenged, and equipped to lead like you mean it.

Breakout Sessions: Wednesday, October 1

2:00-3:00 Failing forward for Winning Bigger

Every leader encounters setbacks, but what sets future executives apart is the ability to learn and grow from failure. This conversation reframes failure as a steppingstone, sharing stories and insights on how to bounce back stronger after professional missteps or disappointments. Attendees will learn how to cultivate a growth mindset, extract lessons from setbacks, and foster a team culture that sees mistakes as opportunities for innovation.

Presented by a speaker from Walmart

2:00-3:00 Reframing Attitude for Executive Altitude

Confidence isn't arrogance—it's your leadership currency. In this bold session, explore how mindset, self-talk, and professional presence shape the way others perceive your readiness for leadership. You'll walk away with tools to silence imposter syndrome and project the confidence your results already justify.

Presented by a speaker from HSBC

4:00-5:00 The Power of Connection: Cultivating Career Champions, Not Contacts

Career advancement isn't just about merit; it's heavily influenced by who is in your corner. In this fireside chat, we'll discuss how to intentionally cultivate a strong professional network that includes mentors, peers, and sponsors who champion your growth. You'll learn networking strategies tailored for busy mid-career leaders, including how to make genuine connections, tap into the "hidden job market," and create a support system that propels you forward.

Presented by a speaker from Amgen

4:00-5:00 Message to Movement: Craft Stories That Drive Results

Facts and data alone don't inspire—storytelling is the leadership skill that turns information into inspiration. In this chat, learn how to weave your vision, values, and ideas into compelling narratives that engage stakeholders and galvanize your team. Attendees will practice techniques to simplify complex messages, use emotional appeal appropriately, and deliver memorable stories that drive people to action.

Presented by a speaker from United Health Group

Breakout Sessions: Thursday, October 2

8:30-9:30 Agile Leadership for the Unpredictable Now

Change is the only constant, and the past few years, 200 days, have tested every leader's ability to adapt. This session explores how to navigate uncertainty and upheaval—from industry disruptions to global crises—while still guiding your team to success. You'll learn principles of agile leadership, ways to maintain clarity and decisiveness under pressure, and tactics to keep your team motivated when the going gets tough.

Presented by a speaker from Cisco

8:30-9:30 Sustainable Sponsorship for Inclusive Leaders

True inclusive leadership means actively championing others, not just oneself. This chat focuses on "lifting as we climb"—how mid-level leaders can be allies and advocates for colleagues from underrepresented groups while advancing their own careers. Expect to learn how to sponsor talent and build a legacy of empowerment that elevates everyone around you.

Presented by a speaker from Amazon

8:30-9:30 Meeting the Moment: Leveraging EQ to Navigate High Pressure Moments

Mid-level leaders often face high-pressure situations and moments of adversity test their composure. This session will reveal how to harness emotional intelligence to stay calm and effective when the heat is on. Learn how managing your emotions and responding with grace can defuse challenges, preserve your energy, and demonstrate exemplary leadership under stress.

Presented by a speaker from Synchrony

10:00-11:00 Understanding Financial Risk and Resilience

The most effective leaders know how to assess and mitigate financial risk while driving growth. This session covers cash flow management, liquidity planning, and the art of building financially resilient businesses that thrive in uncertainty.

Presented by a speaker from Hilton

10:00-11:00 The Culture Catalyst

Culturally competent leaders can transform a collection of diverse individuals into a high-performing, cohesive team. In this fireside chat, we'll explore how to celebrate differences and bridge cultural gaps, so you can lead projects and teams that span generations, backgrounds, and geographies. You'll gain insights into adapting your leadership style for global or multicultural contexts and leveraging the unique perspectives on your team to drive creativity and results.

Presented by a speaker from Novartis

10:00-11:00 Intrapreneur's Edge: Remix the Rules from the MidLevel

You don't need a fancy title to be a change agent—mid-level leaders often drive some of the most impactful transformations from where they stand. In this fireside chat, learn how to effectively champion new initiatives and influence up, down, and across the organization without stepping on toes. We'll cover strategies to build buy-in, communicate a vision for change, and navigate organizational politics, empowering you to lead change confidently even when you're not the one in charge.

Presented by a speaker from PepsiCo

Experience MLMS Your Way

Choose the experience that fits your needs:

• In-Person:Immerse yourself in the full symposium environment with face-to-face networking and direct engagement.

• Virtual:Access the same transformative content and connection opportunities from anywhere in the world through our interactive online platform.

Cost:

$2,000 In-Person | $1,000 Virtual

Questions about MLMS?

Reach out to us with any questions about the event.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions