E.L.L.A Awards
About Us
Experience the future of virtual design at vFairs Event Management System! Join us for a one-of-a-kind conference where we'll showcase the latest advancements in virtual design technology. Connect with industry leaders, expand your knowledge, and elevate your skills to the next level. Our expert speakers will cover topics ranging from virtual reality to 3D modeling, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the game and take your virtual design skills to new heights. Register now for vFairs Event Management System and be a part of the virtual design revolution. Limited spots available, sign up today!
LIGHTING THE HALO OF INNOVATION
Inspiring innovators to drive change and impact through their businesses to transform the future.
We're thrilled to announce our Annual InnoFest Event!
Expect to be inspired by engaging conversations, interactive sessions, and industry leaders. Through this event, vFairs Event Management System is shining a light on innovative, bold businesses to positive transformation across the innovation ecosystem and create a better future for us all.
We're turning the tables at this event and providing attendees with the unique opportunity to join in the discussion on the future of HealthTech, AI, CleanTech, Life Sciences, Smart Life, and Tech innovations for a better tomorrow.
"vFAIRS, CAN YOU HELP US INTRODUCE THIS YEAR'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER?"
We are thrilled to announce our keynote speaker, a visionary leader in technology and innovation.
Join us for an inspiring session to learn about building successful ventures and turning visionary ideas into impactful innovations.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This is an innovation event for founders, business leaders, industry professionals, business owners, corporate executives, venture capitalists, investors, and innovators - across healthcare, energy, consumer, sciences and technology markets. Come learn, be inspired, and join the discussion on the latest technologies and business innovations that may impact your business.
Come share your story and co-create the future with vFairs Event Management System.
WE'RE BUILDING THE FUTURE THROUGH COLLABORATION
vFairs Event Management System is on a mission to change how innovation happens. We help bring people together to work collectively on building a better future through innovation and collaboration.
As we work to transform markets & industries, we're partnering with startups, investors, governments, universities and corporate businesses to positively impact people and the planet.
We're leveraging the many voices and different perspectives to help guide us toward better technology solutions that will benefit everyone. And we're building an ecosystem to support technology innovations for positive change and the bold businesses that will get us there.
Come be inspired and energized to build a better tomorrow.
Agenda
Day - 01
13:00
Introduction and Welcome by Chonnie Richey
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Welcome to the Girls Save the World Global Youth Summit!
Chonnie Richey
CEO, Girls Save The World
Chonnie Richey
CEO, Girls Save The World
Chonnie Richey is a healthcare and nonprofit leader with over 25 years of executive experience in value-based care, youth development, and sustainability. She is the Founder & CEO of Independence Gardens, a nonprofit advancing fresh food access, STEAM education, and leadership development for students nationwide. Chonnie is also the creator of Girls Save The World™, a global leadership and climate innovation initiative empowering girls to design solutions for a more sustainable future. She is the Principal of Crescendum Management Group, where she supports organizations in growth strategy and purpose-driven leadership.
13:05
Annabel Slaughter - GSTW Student Presenter
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Welcome to the Catalyst Stage Annabel Slaughter
13:17
Sanehi Khivasara - GSTW Student Presenter
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Welcome to the Catalyst Stage - Sanehi Khivasara
13:29
Drithi Challapalli - GSTW Student Presenter
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Welcome to the Catalyst Stage Drithi Challapalli
13:41
Aditi Mudugere - GSTW Student Presenter
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Welcome to the Catalyst Stage Aditi Mudugere!
14:00
Angie Cox - Rotary District 5790 Incoming District Governor
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Welcome to the Catalyst Stage Angie Cox!
Angie Cox
Rotary District 5790 District Governor Elect, Rotary 5790
Angie Cox
Rotary District 5790 District Governor Elect, Rotary 5790
14:00
THE REAL D.E.A.L. for Educators, Mentors, and Parents
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From Purpose to Power — Students Are Not Just Attending… They're Leading.
The Real D.E.A.L. for Educators, Mentors, and Parents sprint equips educators, mentors, and parents with practical leadership strategies they can implement immediately to empower students to grow, lead, and take action.
14:20
Shampaigne Graves, Founder, Boldbabes!
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Welcome to the Catalyst Stage Shampaigne Graves, Founder, Boldbabes!
Shampaigne Graves
Founder, Boldifi
Shampaigne Graves
Founder, Boldifi
14:40
Dr. Patrick Walsh - Cristo Rey Dallas
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Welcome to the Catalyst Stage Dr. Patrick Walsh!
15:00
Norm Headlam - Fidelity Investments
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Norm Headlam, Fidelity Scholars Mentor and former TX RLT Co-Lead, will share from his own experience using an outline developed by Cris Charbonneau, titled “Invest in Yourself: The Confidence to Lead Your Future.”
15:40
Rosey Jinnah
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Welcome to the Catalyst Stage Rosey Jinnah
16:00
Jamahl Williams and Bryan Lysinger - Fidelity Investments
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Volunteer Leader Network leads Jamahl Williams and Bryan Lysinger, both Team Leaders in Brokerage & Wealth Client Services, will deliver a TED-style session they developed leveraging Invest in Girls, a CEE program focused on our relationship with money. The session will include an interactive Kahoot! component.
16:20
Ted Blackmon - Inspire Robotics
Day - 02
08:00
Impact + Innovation Day Registration Opens
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Summit open for Check-in and Registration
09:00
The Level Up Lounge: Powered by Purpose - Opens
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From Life, Funded (presented by Fidelity Investments), Life, Branded (Headshots, Social Media, and how to build a Social Media Empire), to Life, Grounded (From Letting Go to Letting Grow) and more, the Level Up Lounge provides students (and attendees) strategies to help them step into their Leadership era.
09:00
Ignite Impact Mindfulness Moment with Maret Backhaus
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Start with Yoga for Intention, then bring your ideas to life through action, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership.
09:15
Glo-Lab STEM Innovation Lab
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Skincare + Science
09:15
Reclaimed Runway STEM Innovation Lab
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Sustainable Fashion
09:15
Urban Bio-Lab STEM Innovation Lab
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Food Systems + Science + #freshfood4all
09:15
Agents of Influence STEM Innovation Lab
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Digital Media + GSTW Magazine. This STEM Lab will begin 4/21/26
09:15
Robotics for Health STEM Innovation Lab
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Develop prototypes for environmental or healthcare.
09:15
Watts & Water STEM Innovation Lab
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Energy Creation + Clean Water
11:30
Redefining Success: When Girls Lead with Purpose - Panel Luncheon
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When girls lead with purpose, this Earth Day panel redefines success through GD Purpose - measuring impact not just by what we produce, but by who we uplift.
Taeshima White
SVP, General Manager, Workplace Investing, Fidelity Investments
Taeshima White
SVP, General Manager, Workplace Investing, Fidelity Investments
Taeshima White brings a powerful voice to the future of financial empowerment and purpose-driven leadership. As Senior Vice President and Site General Manager at Fidelity Investments. she is passionate about helping the next generation, especially young women, understand how money, mindset, and purpose intersect. On the Main Panel, she will explore how redefining success through financial literacy and intentional decision-making equips girls to lead with confidence, build wealth with purpose, and create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
Camille K
Artist & Singer-Songwriter, Camille K
Camille K
Artist & Singer-Songwriter, Camille K
14:30
Lululemon + Mindfulness
15:00
Pitch for Purpose: Innovation in Action
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Students take the stage to present bold, purpose-driven solutions, showcasing their ideas, leadership, and impact in front of judges and a live audience.
18:00
AmplifyHER Music Fest
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AmplifyHER is a high-energy musical celebration where rising voices and powerful stories take center state, inspiring confidence, creativity, and the courage to lead.
SPEAKERS INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS
Shampaigne Graves
Founder, Boldifi
Chonnie Richey
CEO, Girls Save The World
READ BIOChonnie Richey
Girls Save The World
Chonnie Richey is a healthcare and nonprofit leader with over 25 years of executive experience in value-based care, youth development, and sustainability. She is the Founder & CEO of Independence Gardens, a nonprofit advancing fresh food access, STEAM education, and leadership development for students nationwide. Chonnie is also the creator of Girls Save The World™, a global leadership and climate innovation initiative empowering girls to design solutions for a more sustainable future. She is the Principal of Crescendum Management Group, where she supports organizations in growth strategy and purpose-driven leadership.
Angie Cox
Rotary District 5790 District Governor Elect, Rotary 5790
Camille K
Artist & Singer-Songwriter, Camille K
Taeshima White
SVP, General Manager, Workplace Investing, Fidelity Investments
READ BIOTaeshima White
Fidelity Investments
Taeshima White brings a powerful voice to the future of financial empowerment and purpose-driven leadership. As Senior Vice President and Site General Manager at Fidelity Investments. she is passionate about helping the next generation, especially young women, understand how money, mindset, and purpose intersect. On the Main Panel, she will explore how redefining success through financial literacy and intentional decision-making equips girls to lead with confidence, build wealth with purpose, and create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
Event Sponsors
Fidelity Investments
Life, Funded.Step into a space where your future isn’t just imagined—it’s activated.As the Presenting Sponsor of Girls Save The World 2026, Fidelity Investments brings Life, Funded. to life—empowering the next generation to connect purpose, passion, and possibility with real-world pathways.This isn’t about money.It’s about confidence, choice, and building a future that aligns with who you are and what you stand for.
LuluLemon
Lululemon | Matcha & Mindset ExperienceReset. Refocus. Rise.In the middle of innovation, energy, and big ideas—there’s power in the pause.Welcome to Matcha & Mindset, an intentional reset space designed by Lululemon to help you reconnect with yourself, regulate your energy, and lead with clarity.Because leadership isn’t just about what you build—it’s about how you show up.
Conscious Capital Foundation
At Conscious Capital Foundation, we believe in entelechy—the outward expression of inner purpose.
Our work is about awakening that purpose within individuals, organizations, and communities, and connecting it into a larger movement.
Vision: Advancing human consciousness through alignment to Purpose.Mission: To transition from a material-driven, knowledge-based economy to a wisdom-based society, where technology serves humanity, purpose becomes the new currency, and every individual has the opportunity to live a meaningful life.
Independence Garden
Anchoring the Girls Save The World Summit Independence Gardens' Mission is to provide all children—especially those in underserved communities—access to fresh food and empower them through nutrition education, leadership development, and innovative solutions that address food insecurity, health equity, and climate impact.#freshfood4all
Si:Zen
Si:zen (pronounced season) was created around a simple truth: life moves in seasons. Some are busy, some are calm, some are challenging — and through every si:zen, we all want to feel comfortable, confident and supported in our everyday routines.At Si:zen Naturals, we believe in saying yes to a more balanced, intentional way of living. Not perfect. Not complicated. Just thoughtful choices that support your body and make daily life feel easier.
Inspire Robotics
A global platform empowering entrepreneurial youth through AI,robotics, and immersive AR - transforming exploration and learning into real-world change and measurable impact.
FAQs
Yes, you’ll need to fill out our registration form to gain access to the event. Please fill in the registration form with some basic information to get started.
The information you provide upon registration will only be used to establish you as a user on the platform and to create your login credentials. It will not be used for any other purposes.
Yes, the vFairs platform is compatible with any computer or mobile device and any browser.
Yes, this event is completely free to attend. We encourage you to login and have a look around at your convenience.
The event will be on demand indefinitely, however we may make updates and changes to the platform periodically. Make sure to keep checking back in to see our newest features in action!
Gallery Section
A showcase of stunning visuals in one place.
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Tell your event story through images
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2026 Entelechy Award Recipient
Lucy Billingsley
Lucy Billingsley is a Dallas-based business and civic leader whose career reflects visionary leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. As a principal of Billingsley Company, she has played a transformative role in shaping dynamic mixed-use developments that prioritize people, place, and long-term impact. Beyond real estate, Lucy is widely respected for her service across education, arts, and civic organizations, as well as her dedication to mentoring and opening doors for future leaders. Her leadership exemplifies purpose lived over time — creating opportunity, strengthening communities, and inspiring the next generation to lead with intention.
2026 Entelechy Award Recipient
LUCY BILLINGSLEY
PARTNER, BILLINGSLEY COMPANY
Lucy designs, develops, and manages commercial developments primarily in Dallas/Fort Worth. Billingsley Company specializes in developing office, multi-family, retail, and industrial properties, in master-planned communities. The company’s primary master plan developments include Cypress Waters, International Business Park, Austin Ranch, Sloan Corners, and the Arts Plaza campus in Dallas’ Arts District.
Lucy has been inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, the Dallas Business Hall of Fame, the NTCAR Hall of Fame, and she was awarded the 2013 H. Neil Mallon Award from the World Affairs Council.
Born and raised in Dallas, Lucy is a graduate of The University of Texas with a B.B.A. in finance. She lives in Dallas with Henry and has 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
Lucy is a board member of Klyde Warren Park, and KERA.
🌟 E.L.L.A. Awards
Empower • Lead • Love • Act
The E.L.L.A. Awards honor individuals and organizations creating meaningful opportunities for girls to lead and thrive.
Hosted during the Girls Save The World Global Youth Leadership Summit, the awards recognize leaders who are empowering the next generation through action, mentorship, education, and opportunity.
📅 Nomination Deadline:March 27, 2026
📣 Finalists Announced: March 31, 2026
🏆 Awards Ceremony: April 21, 2026
Finalists receive recognition across Girls Save The World platforms, a feature on our website and summit magazine, a video spotlight on the global virtual platform, and two tickets to attend the E.L.L.A. Awards ceremony.
Award Categories
ELLA Award — Student Leadership Award and Scholarship: Recognizing a student who demonstrates leadership and action in their school or community.
Empower Award: For influencers, educators, and brands uplifting girls through meaningful information, messaging, and programming.
Lead Award: For mentors and coaches equipping girls with leadership skills, confidence, and career readiness.
Love Award: For nonprofit organizations providing education, mentorship, and resources for girls.
Act Award: For businesses creating workforce pathways through internships, mentorship, and career opportunities.
.Nominate a leader today and help us celebrate those shaping the future.
Purpose Xchange: Art of Food – Palette to Palate 2026 is an immersive culinary experience where food becomes art and every bite fuels impact. Featuring top chefs, art-inspired tastings, the E.L.L.A. Awards, and exclusive Purpose Xchange networking, this one-night experience supports fresh food access, nutrition education, and youth leadership through Independence Gardens and Girls Save The World.
🎟 Your ticket includes access to the Purpose Xchange Networking Experience + Art of Food.
Purpose Xchange: Art of Food – Palette to Palate 2026 is an immersive culinary experience where food becomes art and every bite fuels impact. Featuring top chefs, art-inspired tastings, the E.L.L.A. Awards, and exclusive Purpose Xchange networking, this one-night experience supports fresh food access, nutrition education, and youth leadership through Independence Gardens and Girls Save The World.
🎟 Your ticket includes access to the Purpose Xchange Networking Experience + Art of Food.