Kelly Vaughn

You don’t get promoted for your communication skills—but the moment you step into leadership, they become your most important asset. Whether you’re an engineer growing into influence or a manager leading a team, knowing how to navigate the human side of work is essential.In this session, we’ll cover five of the toughest conversations you’ll face at work: underperformance, giving feedback, saying “no,” career growth, and setting boundaries.You’ll walk away with practical, repeatable frameworks to approach each conversation with clarity and confidence—building trust, strengthening collaboration, and showing up as the kind of leader people want to work with.

Influence isn't tied to having "Manager" in your job title; it's about the connections you build and the legacy you leave. This session will teach you the skills necessary to build influence within your organization whether you're an IC or EM.