Austin is preparing for a major day of celebrity appearances, career conversations and professional networking as the Texas Conference for Women returns to the Moody Center on Monday, October 5.
The one-day event is expected to bring more than 9,000 professionals from across industries and career stages to the Austin arena. The conference runs from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., with programming beginning at 8:45 a.m.
America Ferrera Headlines the Afternoon Program
One of the biggest names on the 2026 lineup is America Ferrera, the Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor, director and producer.
Ferrera is scheduled to headline the afternoon keynote session beginning at 2:30 p.m. She will appear alongside Tunde Oyeneyin and other business and community leaders during the second keynote program.
Ferrera is known for roles in movies and television shows including Real Women Have Curves, Ugly Betty, Superstore and Barbie. The conference describes her as an award-winning actor, director and producer.
Hoda Kotb and Ilona Maher Join the Morning Keynote
The morning keynote session will feature Hoda Kotb and Ilona Maher among the headline speakers.
Kotb, an award-winning journalist, bestselling author and founder and CEO of Joy 101, is scheduled to take part in the morning program beginning at 10 a.m.
Ilona Maher, a two-time Team USA rugby Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist, is also scheduled to appear during the session.
The morning lineup also includes business leaders from companies including Fidelity Investments, Liberty Mutual, Cisco and other organizations.
Tunde Oyeneyin and Codie Sanchez Round Out the Lineup
The conference also features Tunde Oyeneyin and Codie Sanchez as keynote speakers.
Oyeneyin is a Peloton instructor, Nike athlete, author and change maker. Sanchez is the founder and CEO of Contrarian Thinking and an author focused on business and financial topics.
Their appearances give the conference a mix of entertainment, fitness, entrepreneurship and business perspectives.
More Than 40 Speakers Are Scheduled
The celebrity names are only part of the event.
The 2026 lineup includes more than 40 speakers, with executives and professionals from companies including Target, Cisco, Bank of America, Fidelity Investments, Liberty Mutual, Texas Mutual and AWS.
Other sessions will cover leadership, career development, workplace relationships, professional growth and changing workplace conditions.
Career Services Will Be Available at Moody Center
The event is also designed to offer practical career resources.
CareerWorks will provide complimentary one-on-one career coaching, resume reviews and professional headshots. These services will be available during several time blocks throughout the day, with appointments handled through a virtual line system.
The conference will also feature The Concourse Collection, a collection of curated exhibits and interactive sponsor experiences spread across the arena’s concourse levels.
Attendees Can Earn Professional Education Credits
The 2026 conference also introduces continuing education opportunities for eligible attendees.
Selected sessions are approved for up to 7.0 HRCI and SHRM continuing education credits through the conference’s partnership with Workology.
That adds a professional-development component to an event that already combines celebrity speakers, networking and career resources.
Networking Closes Out the Day
The conference will wrap up with a networking meetup on the arena floor beginning at 4 p.m.
Organizers describe the gathering as a chance for attendees from different industries to connect in a more casual setting. Music from the event DJ and complimentary cocktail samples are also planned.
The conference officially closes at 5 p.m.
Texas Conference for Women Returns to Moody Center
The Texas Conference for Women will take place Monday, October 5, at Moody Center in Austin.
With America Ferrera, Hoda Kotb, Ilona Maher, Tunde Oyeneyin and Codie Sanchez among the featured names, the event brings together recognizable public figures, business executives and professionals for a full day of keynote talks, career resources and networking.
For Austin, the event also represents a large-scale gathering at Moody Center, with organizers expecting more than 9,000 attendees.