Thrive @ Work

Thrive@Work 2026

What is Thrive@Work?

Thrive@Work is the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi’s annual luncheon that brings together business leaders, community partners, and professionals to explore the workplace trends shaping Mississippi’s future. Through engaging conversations and practical insights, the event highlights innovative ideas that strengthen organizations, employees, families, and communities.

This year’s featured panel discussion, “AI: Use, Misuse, and Navigating the Workplace: Tools, Boundaries, & Best Practices for Modern Professionals,” will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming hiring, productivity, workplace culture, leadership, and economic opportunity. Attendees will gain practical perspectives on using AI responsibly while preparing for the future of work.

View the Thrive@Work 2026 Sponsorship Packet

2026 Panel:

Guiding the conversation is our host, Kayla Thompson, an award winning and Emmy-nominated Morning Anchor and Entertainment Report for WJTV 12 News.

David Collins, Founder and CEO, Red Beans Group – innovation and AI strategy for organizations
Alissa Hebert-Wallace, Founder, Healing Spaces – mental health, healing environments, and program development
Alisa L. Mosley, Professor and Senior Director for AI Initiatives, Jackson State University – AI integration in higher education and HBCUs
Nashlie Sephus, Principal AI/ML Evangelist, Amazon AI – fairness, bias, and cutting-edge AI applications
Ashley Wicks, President, Butler Snow Foundation – public finance, tax policy, and community-focused solutions

2024 Panel:

Jasmine Cunningham – Director of Operations for Higher Purpose Co.

Jasmine will discuss the power of dynamic work culture as a tool for retaining Gen. Z employees.

Margaret Cupples – Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Margaret will discuss the importance of family-friendly workplace policies as tools to not only retain talent but improve the business bottom line.

Tolanda Jones – Operation Shoestring

Tolanda will discuss how quality childcare and family-focused workplace policies are tools to create measurable impact for Mississippi businesses.

2023 Panel:

Whitney Jackson – Bradley Law

Whitney will discuss the use of artificial intelligence in hiring practices. She’ll cover the challenges that this new technology can bring and also discuss some key issues in hiring in general.

Natella Boulton – Merrill Lynch

Natella will discuss the Women’s Exchange and the focus on gender equity in investing including gender lens investing generally.

Biz Harris – Mississippi Early Learning Alliance

Biz, the Executive Director for MELA, will share critical new information about childcare that impacts parents in the workplace. This includes newly increased tax credits for employers.

2021 Panel:

Camille Snyder, Ashford Advisors

Shanell Watson, Woodward Hines Education Foundation

Lindsay Thomas Dowdle, Jones Walker LLP

2020 Panel:

Carol Harris, Mississippi Development Authority

Lindsay Thomas Dowdle, Jones Walker LLP

Molly Brasfield, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Anna Wolfe, Mississippi Today

2019 Panel:

Sara Miller, HOPE Policy Institute

Monica Harrigill, The Sunray Companies

Robin Robinson, Sanderson Farms

Willie Jones, Dependable Source Corp. of MS

2018 Panel:

Dudly Wooley, Ross & Yerger

Jennifer Hall, Baker Donelson

Linda Waters, Atmos Energy