IN-PERSON | You Were Never Meant to Shrink | Lady Lady: Who Taught You to Shrink?
You Were Never Meant to Shrink | A Leadership Experience for Women Who Refuse to Be Smaller Than Their Power
This three-part experience is designed to help women examine how their voice has been shaped, where they are still waiting for permission, and how to use their voice as leadership capital.
This session explores how early messaging about being agreeable, accommodating, or “manageable” shows up in professional spaces. Participants will identify how conditioning impacts executive presence, communication patterns, and visibility in leadership.
Key focus: recognizing shrinking behaviors and understanding their impact on influence and advancement.
Sign up for part two and three!
Brandee Collins is a nonprofit senior leader, leadership strategist, and doctoral candidate at Creighton University. She currently serves as Director of Prevention at the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA), where she leads regional initiatives focused on violence prevention, community engagement, and public health collaboration across Kansas and Missouri.
With more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and community-based work, Brandee has built partnerships with schools, public health agencies, and community organizations to develop strategies that strengthen leadership, prevention, and community impact.
As a first-generation professional and national speaker, Brandee focuses on leadership development, professional voice, and helping women navigate spaces where influence, confidence, and clarity matter.
Through her speaking and writing, she challenges leaders to stop shrinking and start using their voice as a tool for impact.
Date and Time
Thursday Apr 16, 2026
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM CDT
8:30 AM - Arrival, Mingle and Enjoy Breakfast
9:00 AM - Program Begins
10:00 AM - Program Ends
Please Provide Us Notice If You Need To Cancel:
We understand that schedules change. If you have registered for this program and can no longer attend, we greatly appreciate you notifying us of your cancellation by completing our cancellation form or emailing hello@centralexchange.org at least 48-hours prior to the program if possible. This is so we can adjust our catering order to help eliminate food waste and prepare accordingly. Thank you!
Location
IN-PERSON AT UMKC BLOCH EXECUTIVE HALL
5108 CHERRY STREET, ROOM 414
KANSAS CITY, MO 64110
Parking is available in the Cherry Street Garage and you are able to park in Lot 12, Lot 14 or Lot 19, or any of the other lots in red on the map (see here).
Fees/Admission
FREE for CX Members Interested in becoming a CX Member? Read more about membership here and be our guest for up to two CX Programs or Exchange Circles.
1 Voucher for CX Partners
$35.00 for Non-members
No refunds.
Contact Information
Allison Baker
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