Do you work with women or have women in your workplace?
Treat them to the MEGA celebration for women:  Advancing Women to the Top Conference, a professional development conference designed for women in every stage of their career. Join us on September 17, 2026 at The Venue at Coosa Landing for a day of inspiration, networking, and community.

Kick back and enjoy local food and wine, connect with coworkers and new friends, and hear from industry leaders across Alabama who will share insight on leadership, empowerment, and growth.

MEET 2026'S LINEUP: 

🎤 Ellen Skrmetti is coming to Gadsden as the main act for this year’s Advancing Women to the Top Conference! The Alabama-based comedian has built a huge following through viral comedy sketches that have racked up millions of views, along with her live comedy shows across the Southeast. Gadsden and Advancing Women to the Top are among her favorite stops on the tour, and we’re excited to have her back!

Cierra Cottman will be the keynote presenter for the event. A workforce strategist, speaker, and leadership architect passionate about helping people step fully into their voice and influence. Her session will feature audience exercises, Women EXCEL™ principles, and practical takeaways. This will be much more than a motivational keynote. Every woman will leave with something tangible, a renewed sense of what is possible, and clear permission to take her next bold step. She is excited to share The Woman They Never Saw Coming™

Angela McKenzie is the Senior Vice President and Head of Accounting Operations at Regions Bank.
Angela oversees enterprise-wide accounting functions with a focus on process optimization and system modernization. Her session will emphasize real world solutions backed by her 32 years of experience and involvement serving the community and several boards and with Regions.

What is it?
Advancing Women to the Top is an annual conference created to inspire, equip, and empower women in the workplace. Attendees will gain tools for personal and professional development while building valuable connections with peers and local businesses from Etowah County and beyond.

What to expect:

• Engaging and dynamic speakers

• Networking opportunities throughout the day

• Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon “wine down” session

• Breaks with snacks from local caterers

• Vendor Village featuring local businesses (cash encouraged for purchases)

How to attend or support:
General admission is $85 per person, with a $20 early-bird discount through August 15. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and include multiple seats, added benefits, and direct support for the event.

Speaker Bios and More Information 

Emcee: Farrah Hayes | Executive Director, Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama

Cierra Cottman | Alabama Regional Manager, NextOp Veterans
Cierra is a workforce strategist, speaker, and leadership architect passionate about helping people step fully into their voice and influence. After more than two decades working across workforce development, executive leadership, and generational dynamics, she saw firsthand how talented professionals — especially women — often shrink in rooms they were more than qualified to lead. That realization fueled her mission: to equip leaders with the clarity, confidence, and executive presence needed to command the boardroom, connect across generations, and lead at human speed. For Cierra, leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about impact, voice, and the courage to show up fully.

Angela McKenzie | Senior Vice President and Head of Accounting Operations, Regions Bank
Angela oversees enterprise-wide accounting functions with a focus on process optimization, system modernization, and strong internal controls. A 32-year Regions veteran, Angela began her career as an internal auditor and has held leadership roles across banking operations and human resource finance. She holds an Executive MBA from the University of North Alabama and a B.S. in Accounting from Alabama State University. Angela has served on the boards of Alabama State University and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and is actively involved in Women in Finance, the Birmingham DEI Network, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and her community. She is a recipient of the Regions Bank Better Life Award and is the proud mother of one daughter, Maya.

Ellen Skrmetti | Author, Comedian
Ellen is a Birmingham-based comedian, writer, and entertainer who turned her lifelong love of making people laugh into a comedy career in 2020. She honed her skills through comedy writing classes and Chicago’s renowned Second City, developing a distinctive voice and comedic style. Her popular sketches, including “Hey, Jesus” and “Kitty Potter,” have earned her a growing social media following, while her book, Hey Jesus, It’s Me, further showcases her humor and storytelling. Originally from Mississippi, Ellen lives in Birmingham with her husband, two children, and three dogs.

AGENDA
*subject to change

9am - Doors Open, Fellowship, Connections, Breakfast Serving
9:25am- Welcome, Farrah Hayes (5min)
9:30am – Angela McKenzie (20min) 
9:50am – Cherokee County Award (10min)
10:00am – Break 1 (25min)
10:25am – Cierra Cottman (60min)
11:25am – Calhoun County Award (10min)
11:35am – Door Prizes - (10min)
11:55am - Break 2, Lunch (50min)
12:45pm – Door Prizes (10min)
12:55pm – Etowah County Award (10min)
1:05pm – Session (45min)
1:50pm – Marshall County Award (10min)
2:00 – Buffalo Rock Wine Down Break (20min)
2:20pm – Speaker -  Ellen Skrmetti (60min)
3:20pm – Door Prizes, Conclusion (10min)
3:30pm – Attendees Dismissed 
 

Vendors:
Etowah Pregnancy Testing Center
The Southern Bank
S5 Elite Performance
McClellan Family Chiropractic
A Golden Lady Boutique

Sponsorships are available at the following levels:

• Company name or logo on event registration webpage, highest recognition at event, table with premiere seating for up to 8 seats with the option to include additional seats up to 16, choice of speaker slot and introduction, video recognition, constant mentions throughout programming, recognition in all promotional materials. Additional table giveaways.

• Company name or logo on event registration webpage, higher recognition at event, table with premiere seating for up to 8 seats with the option to include additional seats up to 16, video recognition, more mentions throughout programming, recognition in all promotional materials. Additional table giveaways.

• Company name or logo on event registration webpage, higher recognition at event, table for 8, mentions throughout programming, recognition in all promo materials. Additional table giveaways.

• Company name or logo on event registration webpage, table for 4, recognition at event

• Support the event with the option to attend! Company name or logo on event registration webpage, recognition at event. One optional seat.