1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
Forget "soft"—this is strategy.
In the tech world, we reward logic, precision, and hard data. But what happens when the stakes rise, tension builds, and the human dynamics in the room become the biggest challenge?
That’s where real leadership begins.
In this compelling keynote, Cass unpacks the real reason emotional intelligence isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a competitive advantage. Drawing from her experience in leadership and tech, she challenges the outdated belief that soft skills are secondary to technical ones. Instead, she reveals how emotional mastery, communication strategy, and relational intelligence are what actually separate effective leaders from everyone else.
Through sharp storytelling, lived experience, and cutting-edge research, The Soft Skills Myth reframes emotional labor as executive power—especially for women who are already navigating high-stakes, high-resistance environments.
In this keynote, attendees will discover:
- Why emotional intelligence outperforms technical skill when it comes to leadership outcomes
- How to leverage communication, self-awareness, and empathy as power tools—not personality traits
- Proven strategies for reading the room, managing resistance, and driving influence without burnout
- The science behind emotional labor—and why women are already doing the hardest work in the room
Perfect for women in leadership, tech professionals, ERGs, and organizations committed to leveling up their talent pipeline, this keynote is equal parts strategy, truth-telling, and real talk.
This isn’t about being “likable.” This is about being powerful.
And the most powerful leaders know: the hardest skills are the human ones.
Meet Cass Cooper
Cass R. Cooper, MHR is a research-driven content creator reaching 3 million unique users monthly. She is the visionary founder and principal behind Know Better, Do Better Consulting, a corporate climate development group committed to catalyzing inclusive cultures and optimizing institutional processes. With a focus on relentless progress, Cass collaborates with clients to nurture cultures that thrive through their commitment to inclusivity. Know Better Do Better Consulting leverages existing strengths while bridging knowledge gaps, ultimately fostering robust corporate cultures and a profound sense of belonging.
Academically, Cass has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies from DePaul University, Chicago, and a Master of Human Relations, Inclusive Leadership from The University of Oklahoma. Cooper uses her passion to explore the intersection of people, processes, and organizational culture. Her unique ability lies in transforming apparent chaos into coherent business practices that prioritize individuals. In the evolving landscape of successful enterprises, the core requirement is sustaining a space where members are not just acknowledged but also valued, respected, and safeguarded.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Cass is an ardent reader, a dedicated consumer of podcasts, and the nurturing mother of a delightful tiny human and a questionably thriving collection of plants. Cass Cooper's work underscores the pivotal role of equity and inclusion in shaping the future of organizations, emphasizing the value of knowing better to do better.
Thursday, October 30, 2025
1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
| 10/30/2025 |    |