What Event Producers Really Want From Speakers

Send fanmail to Lauren and let us know how you like the show!In this episode of She’s Got the Mic, host Lauren Chapnick sits down with Laura Bagnarol and Louisa Vilardi, the powerhouse women behind the She's the Boss Conference—a curated women’s leadership conference taking place March 22, 2026 in Lagrangeville, NY Laura and Louisa are entrepreneurs, speakers, educators, and event producers who share a deeply intentional approach to building community, amplifying women’s voices, and creating conferences that actually serve the audience. In this candid conversation, they pull back the curtain on how She’s the Boss came to life, what they look for in speakers, and why thoughtful curation matters more than ever in the speaking and events industry.In this episode, we cover:How She’s the Boss Conference was born out of frustration with surface-level networking eventsWhy Laura turned a moment of gender bias into a thriving youth empowerment businessHow Louisa transitioned from high school English teacher to sought-after photographer and mentorThe powerful role speaking has played in both of their careers—and why reps matter more than perfectionWhy not every conference has a call for speakers (and what to do instead)The biggest mistakes speakers make when pitching eventsHow to build genuine relationships with event producers (and be remembered)Why attending conferences strategically can open future speaking opportunitiesThe importance of intuition, confidence, and using your voice—on and off the stageThis episode is a must-listen for women who want to speak more, produce meaningful events, or simply feel inspired by women who took action instead of waiting for permission.About She’s the Boss ConferenceShe’s the Boss is a women-centered leadership conference designed to inspire, energize, and connect women from all walks of life—entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals, stay-at-home moms, and future change-makers alike.Rather than hosting an open call for speakers, Laura and Louisa intentionally curated four women whose stories, impact, and presence create a powerful collective experience for attendees.Featured Speakers at She’s the Boss:Allie Stroker – Broadway actress and Tony Award winner, sharing a keynote on resilience, possibility, and redefining limitationsLeah Feldman – CEO of Family Services and the organization’s first female and youngest leaderKelly Lingard – CEO of Unshattered, empowering formerly incarcerated women through employment and entrepreneurshipJeannie Ocasio-Hampton – Co-owner of Hampton Health, speaking on leadership, aesthetics, and building a business with your spouseTogether, these women model confidence, impact, humility, and leadership—without pitching from the stage.Event Details:Website: https://shesthebossconference.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shesthebossconference/If you loved this episode, make sure to follow, rate, and review She’s Got the Mic—and share it with a woman who’s ready to use her voice.🔥 For weekly Hell Yes Energy and behind-the-scenes invites to live speaking experiences: Text SPEAK to 833-681-6463Now go make some noise.To be played at opening of all SGTM episodes, this is a promo for the Speakers Collective.Support the show