Your Next Career Chapter Starts Here.
If you’ve recently been impacted by the recent federal layoffs, we want you to know: your story is far from over. Whether you’re looking to land your next role, pivoting into a new industry, or simply looking for clarity and community during a challenging season—we’re here for you.
This free event is designed to give you both inspiration and practical tools to take the next step in your career journey.
Register for free here–spots are limited.
Have you been recently laid off from a federal position? Join us for a free career support and networking event to help you take the next step in your career.
At this event, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Get a free professional headshot, e-delivered after the event (On-site image coaches and a selection of blazers will be available to help you look your best!)
Receive a free mini resume review from a career coach with the option to a schedule a 1-on-1 career coach session after the event
Gain actionable career tips that will help you take the next step in your career
Meet recruiters and talent professionals actively hiring
Network with other women on similar journeys
Take home a goodie bag full of helpful career resources
Receive free ongoing access to free career coaching and our Virtual Career Growth Center
Receive free access to Google Career Certificates to learn new skills or pivot industries
Enjoy complimentary coffee and light breakfast refreshments
Register for free here–spots are limited.
We’ll provide you with support to thrive in your career.
At Dress for Success Triangle NC, we equip you with the tools, support, and resources to thrive in your job search and long-term career. Yes, we offer professional attire for interviews, but our work goes far beyond the wardrobe.
We offer free career growth programs and services including:
Career & Image Coaching
Resume workshopping
Salary, raise, & promotion negotiation prep
LinkedIn profile support
Google Career Certificates
Soft skills training
Personal branding
Mock interview prep
And much more!
Ready to take the next step in your career with us?
Submit your contact information to get started with one of our career coaches today.
Event Schedule + What You’ll Learn
8:30–9:00 AM | Check-In & Welcome Coffee
Grab refreshments, connect with other attendees, and ease into the day with casual networking.
9:00–9:15 AM | Opening Remarks
Keynote: The Mindset for Success — Overcoming Challenges & Moving Forward
Start the day with an uplifting message that reminds you of your power and potential, especially in seasons of transition.
Extra Knowledge Webinars:
Speaker Name & Bio: Tarkisha Poole
9:15–10:00 AM | Resume & LinkedIn Power Session
Speakers: Oyama Mapp & Becky Brown
Learn the keys to refreshing your resume and LinkedIn profile, making sure they reflect your strengths and help you stand out.
Live resume critiques
LinkedIn visibility & networking strategies
Extra Knowledge Webinars:
Speaker Bios:
Oyama Mapp: Oyama has worked in Talent Acquisition for over 8 years and volunteered with Dress for Success Triangle in several capacities including Career Coaching, Workshop Leadership, and Mentorship for the GPN since 2019. She’s passionate about seeing everyone grow to their greatest potential.
Connect with Oyama on LinkedIn.Becky Brown: Becky Brown brings almost 4 decades of experience into her work as a coach, trainer, and LinkedIn content creator. Her career spans a blend of sales and marketing roles all in the technology field, and she currently supports sales colleagues as a senior sales enablement program manager at the world’s largest privately held software company.
She concentrates on helping professionals find greater fulfillment in work and life by expanding their insights and perspectives through meaningful social connections. Becky earned a Business degree from Meredith College and holds certifications in LinkedIn coaching, social selling, career coaching and professional life coaching.
Connect with Becky on LinkedIn.
10:00–10:30 AM | Interview Prep & Personal Branding
Speaker: Tynesha O’Quinn
Master your elevator pitch and learn how to answer tough interview questions with clarity and confidence.
Extra Knowledge Webinars:
Interview With Confidence: Tips to Outshine Your Competition
Discovering Your Strengths: The Key to Outstanding Success in Work and Life
Speaker Bio: Tynesha O’Quinn | MBA-HR Management, SHRM-CP, sHRBP, HRMP, EEO Investigator
With 16 years of diverse human resource experience, Tynesha O’Quinn is a dynamic HR professional who brings progressive expertise across various sectors, including non-profit, healthcare, IT, and local and state government. As the owner of her own HR consulting business, FINE HR Consulting, LLC, she leverages her extensive background to provide tailored HR solutions that support organizational growth and employee success.
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY (Go BILLS!), Tynesha now lives in Raleigh, NC, with her husband and two children. Faith, family, and community are the core values that guide her personal and professional life. When she is not spending quality time with her loved ones, you can find her reading, writing, hiking, or volunteering her time to causes close to her heart.
Tynesha is passionate about making a positive impact both in the workplace and in her community, continually striving to inspire others to lead with faith-driven purpose and compassion.
Connect with Tynesha on LinkedIn.
10:30–10:45 AM | Coffee & Networking Break
Enjoy light finger foods and meet new faces—some of whom may become your next job connection.
Plus, meet with some of our incredible recruiters:
Tiffany Jones
Stacey Penn
Amy Foster
Nicole Mullikin
Alan Varin
Leah Frazier
Che Allen
Andrea Johnson
Yumicki Jacobs
Audra Jones
10:45–11:15 AM | The Hidden Job Market: Networking for Opportunities
Speaker: Akeeya Umstead
Discover how to tap into unposted job opportunities through intentional networking strategies.
Extra Knowledge Webinars:
Speaker Bio: Akeeya Umstead is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University and a recognized 40 under 40 awardee. She is a passionate community leader, global project management consultant, and the founder of the Misstakenid Gives Back Foundation and CEO of Misstakenid Incorporated. Known for her dynamic ability to connect people and ideas, Akeeya thrives at the intersection of impact and innovation.
Whether she is leading service initiatives, developing professional development workshops, or coaching entrepreneurs, Akeeya uses her superpower -- networking -- to bring together resources, opportunities, and people from all walks of life. Guided by her 2025 motto, "How hard could it be?", Akeeya empowers others to dream boldly, take action, and reminds everyone that success looks different for everyone -- and that is the beauty of it.
Connect with Akeeya on LinkedIn.
11:15–11:45 AM | Leveraging Transferable Skills & Changing Industries
Speaker: Melissa Bardsley
Learn how to recognize and market your skills for new roles or industries, with real success stories to inspire you.
Extra Knowledge Webinars:
Speaker Bio: Melissa is the Program Manager with The Eighth Mile Consulting specializing in leadership and customer experience, specifically focused on bridging the gap between pre-sale expectations and post-sale execution.
Melissa has more than 20 years of experience focused in 3 industries; banking & finance, industrial automation & manufacturing, and Healthcare IT (SaaS). She has focused on making improvements to customer support, call center metrics, and customer satisfaction, working to exceed customer expectations. This experience became the foundation for her unique coaching and mentoring style.
In recent years, Melissa has worked to blend her passion for developing leadership talent with her ability to empower confidence. Embracing an agnostic style that adds options to a "leaders toolkit". This approach translates strategy into executable actions that set leaders up for success.
Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn.
11:45–12:00 PM | Goal Setting & Closing Remarks
Speaker: Heather Dennis
Set your 30-day action plan for job search success and hear final words of encouragement from Dress for Success Triangle Executive Director, Heather Dennis. She’ll share what it means to take that next step in your career with confidence, no matter where you are in your journey.
At Dress for Success Triangle, we walk alongside women every step of the way. From career coaching and resume support to professional attire, leadership development, and digital skills training—we offer the tools, support, and encouragement women need to take their next step in work and in life.
Follow Dress for Success Triangle on LinkedIn.
Connect with Heather Dennis, Executive Director, on LinkedIn.
Connect with other Dress for Success Triangle Staff:
Connect with Megan Risley, Programs Director, on LinkedIn.
Connect with Kimberly Arnold, Marketing Director, on LinkedIn.
Connect with Karen Johnson, Development Director, on LinkedIn.
Connect with Laurin Norwood, Volunteer Coordinator & Sales Manager, on LinkedIn.
Connect with Shay Allen, Mobile Boutique Manager, on LinkedIn.
Connect with Joy Day, Program Operations Manager, on LinkedIn.
Connect with En’Janet Joseph, Outreach Manager, on LinkedIn.
Connect with Laura Klauke, Develpoment Associate, on LinkedIn.
Connect with Nettie Pinell, Wilson Operations Coordinator, on LinkedIn.
12:00–1:00 PM | Optional: Professional Headshots + Open Networking
Stick around for a free headshot, flash career coaching, and conversations with recruiters and hiring reps.
Plus, meet with some of our incredible recruiters:
Tiffany Jones
Stacey Penn
Amy Foster
Nicole Mullikin
Alan Varin
Leah Frazier
Che Allen
Andrea Johnson
Yumiki Jacobs
Audra Jones