Original. Fearless. Undeniable.
America Ferrera is a voice for anyone who has ever been underestimated and refused to shrink to fit someone else’s expectations. On October 5, she took the stage at the Texas Conference for Women at Austin’s Moody Center, during Hispanic Heritage Month, which made the moment even more meaningful.
From Real Women Have Curves and Ugly Betty to Superstore and Barbie, the Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor, director, and producer has built a career bringing complex, unforgettable women to the screen.
From her earliest auditions, America received a clear message: to succeed, she would need to become someone else’s idea of who she should be. Sound different. Look different. Fit into roles that were never broad enough to hold her. Instead, she built a remarkable career by trusting the very things she was encouraged to change. In doing so, she didn’t just find her own voice. She helped countless women recognize the power of theirs.
If you’ve ever wondered whether being fully yourself could be enough, America’s story is a reminder that the qualities others underestimate may be the very ones that make you unstoppable.
Who Else Spoke at the 2026 Texas Conference for Women
America joined a lineup of 40+ speakers across keynotes and Power Talks. On the keynote stage:
- Hoda Kotb, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and founder and CEO of Joy 101
- Ilona Maher, two-time Team USA rugby Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist
- Tunde Oyeneyin, instant New York Times bestselling author, Peloton instructor, Nike athlete, and change maker
- Codie Sanchez, founder and CEO of Contrarian Thinking and NYT bestselling author of Main Street Millionaire
- MJ Acosta-Ruiz, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster, serving as keynote moderator
Across the day’s three Power Talk blocks, we also heard from:
- Michelle Khare, TIME100 honoree and creator of Challenge Accepted, on reinventing your career in a nonlinear world
- Shasta Nelson, author of The Business of Friendship, on why leadership loneliness is a design flaw rather than a fact of life
- Dr. Sasha Hamdani, board-certified psychiatrist and author of Too Sensitive, on turning emotional sensitivity into a grounded strength
Corporate leaders on the program include Carrie Palin (CMO, Cisco), Jeanette Ward (President and CEO, Texas Mutual), Elizabeth Romero (Bank of America), Myrna Estrada (Liberty Mutual), Jackie Backes (Target), Kirsten Kuykendoll (Fidelity Investments), and Monica Muñoz Andry (President and CEO, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce).
Next Year’s Texas Conference for Women
Expect a full day in Austin at our new temporary home — Palmer Events Center — plus access to the virtual National Conference for Women a few months later.
- Reserved seating for all Keynotes and Power Talks
- CareerWorks: complimentary 1:1 resume reviews, career coaching, and professional headshots
- HRCI and SHRM continuing education credits at select sessions
- A reimagined expo experience with curated exhibits and interactive activations
- Conference bookstore and author signings
- A dedicated lunch break with complimentary boxed lunch
- A networking meetup on to close the day
- Complimentary access to the virtual National Conference in Spring 2028
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2027 Texas Conference for Women?
Thursday, October 7, 2027, at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, TX.
Who is speaking?
Stay tuned for speaker announcements!
How much are tickets?
Stay tuned for registration information in Spring 2027.
Can I register a team?
Yes. Groups register through the standard online process, and the purchaser becomes the group’s main contact. To guarantee seats together, purchase all tickets within a single registration. Attendee names and meal preferences are due at least 30 days before the event.
Can I earn HR recertification credits?
Yes. Select sessions are pre-approved for HRCI and SHRM continuing education credits through Workology. After the conference, you submit one short form per eligible session and your certificate is emailed to you.
