UNITED STATES NORTHEAST AREA WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
ONWARD,
EVER ONWARD
ONWARD,
EVER
ONWARD
Come for inspiration—leave with resolve!
“We’ve received prophetic direction that as sisters
we can and should change the world.”
Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, 2025 Worldwide Relief Society Devotional, March 16, 2025
USNE AREA Women’s Conference
Saturday, May 30, 2026
9 aM – 3:30 pm
Marriott Marquis, Times Square, New York City
1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Tracy Browning
Second Counselor, Primary General Presidency
Sister Tracy Browning has served as the Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency since April 2022. She has served as a counselor in ward and stake Relief Society presidencies, as a Relief Society and Sunday School teacher, and in the Young Women organization.
Sister Browning was born in New Rochelle, New York. She grew up in Jamaica in the West Indies, and in New Jersey and New York. She is married and the mother of two children.
Sister Browning studied at St. John’s University and worked in financial services for 15 years. She has also volunteered with various community and civic organizations.
Sister Browning has given the following General Conference addresses: “Seeing More of Jesus Christ in Our Lives” (October 2022); “Seeking Answers to Spiritual Questions” (October 2024); and “Tune Your Heart to Jesus Christ: The Sacred Gift of Primary Music” (October 2025).
Elissa Gifford
Global Director of Humanitarian Services
Elissa Gifford serves as Director of Field Operations for Latter-day Saint Charities, where she leads a global team focusing on emergency response, development, and self-reliance initiatives across diverse communities.
Raised by parents who modeled compassion and service, Elissa has dedicated her career to humanitarian work. Starting with supporting refugee resettlement, then expanding to building self-reliance globally, her journey reflects a lifelong commitment to helping others. Her work spans continents, engaging with local leaders, NGOs, and government entities to deliver aid and capacity-building programs that reflect Latter-day Saint Charities’ commitment to global well-being.
Elissa brings a unique perspective, drawing on her experience in navigating complex logistical environments and fostering sustainable impact through collaborative models.
Jane Clayson Johnson
Morning Moderator
Jane is a journalist and former network anchor and correspondence at CBS News, ABC News and WBUR/NPR. She is the best-selling author of I Am A Mother and Silent Souls Weeping. Recently Jane was the executive producer and host of the award-winning documentary Pathway to Hope.
Leslie Lords Robbins
Morning Panelist
Leslie teaches Institute full-time. She has written curriculum for the Seminary & Institute teams, and was a faculty member and the Dean of Instruction & General Education at Ensign College where she contributed to research on learner-centered teaching. She married her kindergarten sweetheart and is the mother of three beloved daughters.
Jenny Reeder
Morning Panelist
Jenny is a 19th-century women's history specialist at the Church History Department. Her latest publication, Rise Up and Speak: Selected Discourses of Eliza R. Snow, is now available. She also wrote a biography of Emma - First: The Life and Faith of Emma Smith.
Kisha Sogunro
Afternoon Panelist
Kisha is a dynamic, innovative public-sector leader internationally recognized for driving community transformation. She is based in the Washington, D.C. region. She serves as the US Northeast Assistant Director of Outreach.
Amy Antonelli
Afternoon Panelist
Amy is the CEO of Humanitarian Experience (HXP), where she’s sent nearly 50,000 teenagers on faith-based humanitarian expeditions to over 80 locations worldwide. She is a Harvard-educated leader with experience at Apple, Facebook, and in India’s leprosy colonies.
Meagan Kohler
Morning Panelist
Meagan is a Latter-day Saint convert who writes about faith, culture and women’s issues. She studied French and Philosophy at BYU and she currently writes for the Deseret News.
sUSAN FAUST
Afternoon Moderator
Susan lives in DC and is chair of the Washington Temple Visitors Center Cultural Arts Committee, curating many arts exhibits including the annual International Creche exhibit. She has been involved in several grassroots campaigns, including work on banning smoking in public schools.
Jasmin Rappleye
Afternoon Panelist
Jasmin is a social media content creator with a passion for sharing her faith online. She is the former Director of Communications at Scripture Central and is now on the Executive Committee of the Ancient America Foundation and Faith Creators Alliance.
Schedule
8:30-9:30AM
Art Exhibit
Registration and a chance to view the art exhibit with artwork by USNE women on the theme of covenant women following Jesus and spreading their influence for good
Morning Focus: How can I improve my discipleship of Jesus Christ?
9:30 AM
OPENING
Welcome, opening song: “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (no. 78, Children’s Songbook), invocation
9:40 AM
Musical Number
Musical Number - Melanie Dean Hoffman, composer/conductor
"A Disciple of Jesus Christ"
9:45 AM
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: SISTER TRACY BROWNING
Who were the ‘certain women' in Jesus' life and how can an understanding of these women shape my discipleship as a Latter-day Saint certain woman?
10:15-11AM
Moderated Plenary Panel
1) What does it look like to be a woman Saint of the latter days in this area? and (2) What specific things can I do to strengthen my testimony of Jesus and how can this impact my daily life?
Moderator: Jane Clayson Johnson
Panelists: Jenny Reeder
Leslie Lords Robbins
Meagan Kohler
11:20AM-12:05PM
Breakout discussions with local panelists
Breakout Groups:
- Single women
- Mothers of young children/Primary workers
- Mothers of teens and YSAs/YW workers
- Modern matriarchs
12:05-1pm
Lunch Break
Afternoon Focus: How can I spread my influence for good in my home, my ward/branch, MY WORKPLACE, and my community?
1-1:45PM
breakout discussions with local panelists
Breakout groups to discuss spreading my influence:
- In my home and with my family
- In my ward/branch, in my church calling and in ministering
- In my community
- In my workplace
2:10-2:55PM
MODERATED PLENARY PANEL
(1) How can I "speak with the power and authority of God" and how do I access that power? and (2) How can I "reflect righteousness and articulateness in my life" in distinct and different ways that matter?
Moderator: Susan Faust
Panelists: Amy Antonelli
Jasmin Rappley
Kisha Sogunro
2:55-3pm
Musical number
Musical number - Melanie Dean Hoffman, composer/conductor
"Onward, Ever Onward"
Words inspired by Claudia Bushman's "Sisters of the Latter Days"
3:00-3:20PM
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: SISTER elissa gifford
How can a woman like me help prepare myself, my family, my ward, and my community for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
3:20-3:30 PM
CLOSING
Closing song: “This Little Light of Mine” (no. 1028, Hymns - For Home and Church) and benediction