Thrive Forward at Columbus WITCON 2025 –
The Premier Columbus Women in Tech Conference by getWITit!
Get ready to experience a day of collaboration, innovation, and connection at WITCON 2025, brought to you by getWITit in Columbus. As the leading organization dedicated to supporting women in technology, getWITit is proud to present an in-person conference event focused on fostering collaboration and breaking boundaries for women and non-gender-conforming individuals in the tech industry.
Join us for inspiring keynote speeches, interactive workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities, all designed to empower and elevate women in tech. At WITCON 2025, you’ll have the chance to connect with fellow professionals, thought leaders, and innovators, and be part of a supportive community committed to driving positive change in the tech industry.
Don’t miss this opportunity to Thrive Forward, learn, and grow with us at Columbus WITCON 2025. Reserve your spot now and be part of the movement to advance women in technology!
2025 Keynote Sessions
Headlining Keynote Speaker - Connie Matthews Reynolds
Title: “Own Your Story: Building an Unshakeable Professional and Personal Brand”
Description: In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, your career success isn’t determined by luck or circumstance—it’s shaped by how intentionally you build your brand, how resilient you become in the face of setbacks, and how proactively you take charge of your professional journey. This keynote will equip you with practical strategies to craft a compelling personal brand that authentically represents your unique value proposition, while building the mental fortitude to thrive.
You’ll discover how to identify and articulate your core strengths, develop a consistent brand narrative across all professional touchpoints, and leverage both digital and in-person opportunities to amplify your reputation. Beyond brand building, we’ll explore the psychology of resilience—how to reframe failures as learning opportunities, build emotional intelligence to navigate workplace challenges, and develop the adaptability that top performers use to pivot successfully in changing markets.
Most importantly, you’ll learn to shift from a reactive to a proactive career mindset. Whether you’re early in your career or looking to make a strategic transition, this session will provide you with actionable frameworks for setting boundaries, advocating for yourself, building strategic relationships, and creating opportunities rather than waiting for them to appear.
Leave with a clear roadmap for taking ownership of your professional narrative and building a career that aligns with both your values and ambitions—regardless of what external forces may come your way.
Connie Matthews Reynolds is the Founder and CEO of ReynCon, a leading cybersecurity training and consulting provider dedicated to transforming businesses through comprehensive InfoSec and cybersecurity education. With over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, Connie has established herself as a passionate cybersecurity expert and visionary leader. She is one of the few women-owned Cybersecurity Firms in Ohio!
Leadership & Vision
Under Connie’s strategic leadership, ReynCon has become a catalyst for positive change in the cybersecurity landscape. The company’s innovative training and development programs empower organizations to upskill their teams and maintain competitive advantage in an ever-evolving digital threat environment. Her approach combines deep technical expertise with practical business acumen, ensuring that cybersecurity solutions are both effective and accessible.
Recognition & Awards
Connie’s significant contributions to Ohio’s technology ecosystem and the global cybersecurity community have earned her widespread recognition:
- Documentary Feature: Recently featured in “The Women in Security” documentary as a recognized trailblazer in the cybersecurity field
- Verizon Ohio Trailblazers Award: Selected as one of only 11 recipients of Verizon’s inaugural Ohio Trailblazers Award, recognizing her innovative approach and exceptional leadership in technology
- Cyber Security Woman of the World: Finalist for this prestigious international award, celebrating excellence in cybersecurity
- Cyber Security Woman Volunteer Award: Finalist recognition for her dedicated service and volunteer contributions to the cybersecurity community
- Senior and Fellow – Information Systems Security Systems Association (ISSA) International
- Volunteer of the Year – ISSA International
- Shaping the Future – EmpoWE-R Women of Infosec
Thought Leadership
As a sought-after industry voice, Connie regularly serves as a keynote speaker and presenter at cybersecurity/women in Tech conferences. Her presentations combine leadership and building your brand, with practical insights and strategic vision, helping organizations understand and navigate the complex cybersecurity challenges of today’s digital landscape.
Advisory Boards and Non-Profits:
- Founding Member: EmpoWE-R Women of InfoSec
- Board Member: Central Ohio ISSA and ISSA International
- Advisor: Dublin City Schools and Tolles
- CxO Advisor: Multiple Tech Companies
Closing Keynote Speaker - Rachel Williamson
Retail Executive | Leadership Strategist | Culture Shifter
Rachel Williamson is an internationally recognized retail executive and leadership consultant with over 30 years of experience leading high-performing teams and turning around underperforming businesses. She is the founder of Running Great Stores, where she helps brands unlock their revenue potential through strong store operations, inspiring leadership, and unforgettable customer experiences.
While Rachel’s background isn’t in IT, her career has been shaped by leading in complex, high-pressure environments where adaptability, clear communication, and confident decision-making are critical. Throughout her retail leadership journey, she has partnered closely with IT teams and deeply values the pivotal role they play in driving business success. Rachel brings a fresh, cross-industry perspective to leadership—combining practical strategies with motivational insights that inspire audiences to lead boldly, communicate with purpose, and elevate others as they rise.
Rachel is a certified speaker of Jon Gordon’s “The Power of Positive Leadership” and “The Energy Bus” programs and is known for her dynamic keynote talks that leave leaders empowered and ready to take action. She has written her first leadership book, which will be published in Spring 2026.
Her keynote, “Thrive Forward: Leading with Confidence and Clarity,” is a powerful call to own your presence, find your voice, and create space for others to thrive—because thriving isn’t just about reaching the next milestone, it’s about reshaping the path for the next generation of leaders.
Become a Sponsor
Our mission is to inspire more women to enter the field of technology by building a supportive environment where those women can flourish and create opportunities for more women to ascend into leadership roles. As we are a non-profit, we rely on the help of external sponsors to help us unite, support, and promote diversity in tech throughout the Columbus region.