Take Office Accelerator - Memphis, TN

The Take Office Memphis 2025 Accelerator will take place across three days on November 22-24, 2025 and will welcome accomplished women who wish to sharpen their advocacy skills, policy knowledge and activism in their communities.

ABOUT TAKE OFFICE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Take Office advances gender equity in public policy and politics by creating highly customized leadership development accelerator programs for women leaders.

Our program can prepare you for a role in public policy by maximizing your existing experience and providing concrete skills, steps and connections towards a life of service through public policy.

The Take Office program will help you cultivate relationships with mentors in the political and policy community, develop new perspectives on career growth and opportunities, and sharpen skills such as:

• Fundraising
• Working with the media
• Leading a team
• Advocating effectively
• Deepening policy knowledge via robust course readings
• And more

Take Office Accelerator - Memphis participants will be invited to join the Take Office Membership Community with a one month complimentary membership.

The Take Office Difference
Take Office is building a community of practice where preparation and possiblity meet. In addition to traditional political campaign training, Take Office offers a powerful balance—expert coaching, high-level access to senior leaders, and the space to strategize your next move. Through both local and global programs, participants gain hands-on experience, international perspective, and a network of women who open doors for one another. The result: a modern, inclusive pathway for women ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and real-world connections.

AGENDA (subject to change)

Saturday, November 22, 2025

1:30pm: Doors Open

2:00pm: Opening Remarks + Welcome

2:15pm: Special Welcome, Ruby Powell-Dennis, Take Office Local Leader

2:30pm: Opening Session: Advanced Gender Equity in Politics and Public Policy

3:30pm Panel: Women with a Seat at the Table (featuring local advocates and elected officials)

4:30pm: Leadership Development Workshop

6:30pm: Day 1 Close

Sunday, November 23, 2025

9:00am: Doors Open; Light Breakfast Available

9:30am: Session One: Setting Your Policy Agenda

11:00am: Session Two: Advancing Policy at the State and Local Level in the Modern Era

12:30pm: Lunch Served

12:45pm: Working Lunch Discussion: Careers in Political Strategy (Communications, Advocacy, Consulting)

1:45pm: Session Three: Leadership Masterclass (Insights from a former senior leader)

3:15pm: Session Four: Managers of Managers - Leadership Development Workshop I

4:45pm: Session Five: Managers of Managers - Leadership Development Workshop II

6:15pm: Closing Remarks

Monday, November 24, 2025

9:00am: Doors Open; Light Breakfast Available

9:30am: Session One: Message Development and Executive Presence as a Woman Leader Today

11:00am: Session Two: Cultivating Relationships: Fundraising Workshop I

12:30pm: Networking Lunch

1:45pm: Session Three: Cultivating Relationships: Fundraising Workshop II

3:15pm: Session Four: Leading a Team - Insights from a Campaign Manager

4:45pm: Session Five: Facilitated Workshop - Creating A Leadership Vision for Tennessee

6:15pm: Closing Remarks

Featured Guest Lecturers

• Ruby Powell-Dennis, Take Office Local Leader, Political and Fundraising Expert
• Jeri Powell, Columbia University Professor and Take Office Founder

Guest Lecturers

• Amber Huett-Garcia, Public Servant and Nonprofit Leader.
• Arielle Gibson-Martin, Community Engagement Manager for Shelby County’s Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center
• Brianna "Bre" Swims, Community Organizer and Diversity Practitioner
• Charity Bianca, Founder and CEO, Courageous Circle
• Civil Miller Watkins, Educator and Political Activist
• Demetrus Coonrod, District 9 Councilwoman in Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Elizabeth Gray, Civil Engagement Professional
• Erica Perry, Movement Lawyer and Co‑Founder of the Southern Movement Committee
• Erika Sugarmon, Educator and Community Activist
• Freda Player, Political Operative and Policy Leader
• Jennifer LaRose Sharp, Communications Professional and Public Servant
• Joanna Theolene, Manager of Policy and Advocacy for the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga
• Joni Cochran, Civic Volunteer and Former Candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 46
• Joy Styles, Member of the Nashville Metro Council representing District 32
• Karen Reynolds, Retired U.S. Army Veteran and Civic Leader
• Megan Lange, Democratic Activist and Member of the Tennessee Democratic Party’s Executive Committee representing District 18
• Rachel Campbell, Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party
• Darrah Hall, Policy Advocate
• Jess Moore Matthews, Digital‑Organizing Strategist and Disability‑Justice Advocate
• Kristal Knight, Democratic Strategist and Campaign Trainer
• Meggan Kiel, Educator and Community Advocate

About the Meeting Space

We’ll gather in a modern, professional meeting room at the Homewood Suites Memphis–Germantown, conveniently located off Wolf River Boulevard. The space includes hotel-provided Wi-Fi and standard A/V capability, and offers complimentary on-site parking for attendees.

For more details visit www.takeoffice.org