Career Summit 2025
One day. Nine sessions. Real progress.
A Free Online Career Event for People Considering Change, Direction or Growth
Feeling stuck in your career
and unsure what to do next?
Join the Stuck to Sorted Summit
- a free online event for people exploring their next move, whether that’s a promotion, a new role, returning after a break, or considering something entirely different. Get clarity, build confidence, and take practical steps forward, with insight from people who’ve been where you are.
This is your starting point.
This is your starting point. Let’s get you moving.
You're not where you thought you'd be...
And you're not sure what to do about it.
Maybe you're:
· Not enjoying your current job, but unsure whether leaving is the answer
· Keen to go for a promotion, but unclear how to get noticed or whether it's even possible
· Returning to work after parenting, caring, travelling or burnout, and feeling behind
· Drifting through your role, feeling overlooked, underpaid or undervalued
· Thinking about starting something on your own, but not sure where to begin
You’ve got experience.
You’re not starting from scratch.
But right now, every option feels like a risk, and staying still is draining your energy and confidence.
You don’t need generic career advice
You need structure, support, challenge and a space to think clearly.
The Stuck to Sorted Summit is a free,
one-day online event designed to help you get unstuck -whether that means going for promotion, finding a new role, returning to work, or starting something of your own.
You’ll walk away with:
· Clarity on what matters most and what’s next
· Tools to take action without overwhelm
· Insight from coaches, returner experts, hiring specialists and people who’ve changed direction themselves
· A plan you can act on, even if you don’t have it all figured out yet
You’re not starting from zero. You’re starting from here.
You might be:
· Wondering whether your current role still fits
· Thinking about going for a promotion but unsure how to raise your hand or get noticed
· Considering whether a change means leaving your company, or showing up differently where you are
· Returning to work after parenting, caring or other life commitments
· Thinking about launching something of your own, full time or side hustle - but not sure where to start
· Feeling stuck and tired of circling the same questions with no clear answers
This is for anyone navigating uncertainty and looking for guidance, clarity and momentum, in a space where your experience is seen and valued.
By the end of the Summit, you'll have
· More clarity about what you want and what’s been holding you back
· A practical action plan to help you move forward
· Guidance from people who’ve navigated big shifts; promotions, pivots, returns, business launches
· More confidence to raise your hand, re-enter the market, or ask for what you need
· Tools you can use straight away, not just ideas or inspiration
Hi, I'm Denise,
Founder of Elevate Careers
I’ve supported thousands of people at key turning points in their careers.
Those moments where you know something has to shift, but you don’t yet know what, or how.
This summit brings together everything I wish more people had access to; practical tools, honest conversations, and the space to think clearly and confidently about what comes next.
Denise Matthews is a careers coach, trainer and speaker with over 25 years' experience helping people navigate professional change and growth, whether that’s returning to work, seeking promotion, or building something new.
She’s the founder of Elevate Careers and the host of the Stuck to Sorted Summit, now in its fourth year, with a growing audience of returners, career changers and early-career talent ready to step into their next chapter.
Denise blends clear, actionable career guidance with deep empathy, creating spaces that feel supportive, grounded and full of momentum.
This summit is part of her commitment to making high-quality career support accessible, honest and actually useful.
This is the fourth year I’ve hosted a summit like this - always designed to support people at the pivot point, with real, practical insight and diverse voices.
The Stuck to Sorted Summit brings together a line-up of guest experts who understand the lived reality of career change and growth. Speakers include:
· Recruiters and coaches who know how hiring really works
· Returnship and re-entry expert supporting people after long breaks
· Entrepreneurs and side-hustlers who’ve made work work for them
· Finance and mindset professional to help navigate fear and planning
· Personal brand and marketing specialist focused on CVs, LinkedIn and visibility
You’ll hear from people who’ve been stuck and moved through it. Who’ve faced fear, burnout or uncertainty and found their way forward.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Not sure this is for you?
“I don’t have time.”
Each session is c.45 minutes. Join live or catch up later. You’ll get the replays and resources.
“I'm not ready to make a big move”
That’s completely fine. This event is about creating space to think clearly and decide what you want going forward, not just today.
“I've been out of work for years - Is this for me?”
Yes. We have a session specifically designed to support returners with confidence, structure and tools.
“Do I have to buy something?”
No. This is a free event. Some speakers may offer additional free resources, & Denise will be introducing her new website ‘elevateyourCv.uk’ which is all about supporting you through change in your career.
The Stuck to Sorted Summit is a free, one-day online event to help you find direction, build confidence and take practical steps, whether you’re returning to work, looking for a change or thinking about doing something new.
The Details
Wednesday 22nd October
9:30am - 6pm
Online (with session recordings available)
You’ll receive:
- Live expert sessions throughout the day
- Downloadable resources
- My LinkedIn ebook: Ghosted to Visible
- Tools, insight and support from people who’ve been where you are
Because staying stuck isn’t the plan.
Agenda & Speaker Line Up
9:30 – Denise Matthews
Welcome to the Summit
Denise Matthews is a careers coach, trainer and speaker with over 25 years' experience helping people navigate professional change and growth, whether that’s returning to work, seeking promotion, or building something new.
She’s the founder of Elevate Careers and the host of the Stuck to Sorted Summit, now in its fourth year, with a growing audience of returners, career changers and early-career talent ready to step into their next chapter.
Denise blends clear, actionable career guidance with deep empathy, creating spaces that feel supportive, grounded and full of momentum.
This summit is part of her commitment to making high-quality career support accessible, honest and actually useful.
9:45 – Jo Knowler
Killer Applications and the ATS
Jo Knowler leads People & Talent at SB Media Group, the driving force behind Supercar Blondie and SBX Cars. With a global reach, Jo brings years of experience in scaling culture, talent, and partnerships across media, fashion, and tech. Her career journey spans high-growth startups through to global names including LADbible, Pubity, and Next.
10:30 – Charlotte Carter
ZEST Methodology – Unlocking Your Energetic Frequency to Face Challenges Positively
Charlotte Carter is the Founder of I Dare To Leap Ltd., helping you unlock your own personal energetic frequency and zest for life.
With 20+ years in personal development, Charlotte blends clinical hypnotherapy, transformational coaching, breathwork, and energy healing to help clients remove subconscious barriers and step into their full potential.
A bestselling author and host of A Zest For Life podcast, Charlotte has been featured in Hello Online, Grazia, Marie Claire, and the Daily Telegraph. She bridges the gap between outer success and inner fulfillment through real-world, actionable wisdom.
11:30 – Hali Jafari
Jack of All Trades, Master of Fun: Why Multi-Passionate's Thrive in Business
Hali Jafari is a Creative Business Strategist, Award winning cake artist, and founder of Bake Boss Academy LTD. Known for her multi-passionate approach, Hali has worked across multiple creative industries while building a thriving business that blends creativity, entrepreneurship, and strategy. She specialises in helping creative entrepreneurs turn their passions into profitable businesses without burning out or boxing themselves into just one lane. Her mix of lived experience, business expertise, and creative flair empowers others to embrace every part of who they are and use it to build businesses that feel aligned, exciting, and sustainable.
12:15 – Matthew Hughes
From Suspensions to Success: How Side Hustles and AI Helped Me Land Six-Figure Clients
13:30 – Sara McCracken
Lived (Sometimes Scary!) Experience – A Journey from Employment to Entrepreneur
Sara McCracken FCIPR Chart. PR MBA is an award-winning communications strategist and founder of The PR Club and the PRESS community. She is passionate about helping purpose-led organisations and individuals raise their profile, protect their reputation and make a meaningful impact.
Sara combines strategic insight with practical delivery. She is known for her calm clarity, deep integrity and ability to turn complex issues into powerful stories that resonate.
She delivers PR training and consultancy online and in person, working with clients to develop their skills, confidence and visibility.
Sara was named Mentor of the Year by CO3, recognised among the Top 50 Independent PR Practitioners in the UK and is a Northern Ireland finalist in the UK StartUp Awards, a testament to her influence, impact and support for others in the industry.
14:15 – Flo Chadaway
The Finance Trap – having a plan
15:00 - Elizabeth Willets
The Returner Experience – how to prepare, plan & activate your career
Elizabeth Willetts is the Founder of Investing in Women - a female-empowering job board and community helping family-friendly AND forward-thinking employers hire professionals looking for fulfilling flexible and part-time work. She is an experienced Recruiter with over 17 years of experience - both in-house at one of the Big 4 and from one of the UK's largest recruitment agencies. Elizabeth is also a mum to two daughters - Emily and Annabelle (and a Labradoodle called Dougal). She is a passionate believer in the power of part-time and flexible work to retain women in the workplace and close the gender pay gap. Her debut book, Flex - a dynamic guide for anyone wanting to build a successful career ― on their terms, came out in January 2025.
15:30 – Cally Stewart
Session Title TBC
16:15 – Denise Matthews
Your Marketing Kit – A Killer CV & LinkedIn to Get You Noticed
🎥 All sessions are recorded and available after the event.
You don’t need to take our word for this being worthwhile!
This is the fourth year this summit has run, and past attendees say it makes a difference . It’s clear, practical and designed for people who are figuring out their next step – not those just starting over.
“I came in unsure if I needed a new job or just a better plan — and left with a clearer sense of what matters to me and how to ask for it.”
“This was one of the only career events I’ve attended that felt real. No fluff. Just honest advice and useful tools.”
“I’d been on a career break after having my second child and felt invisible. This gave me the confidence to start showing up again, on LinkedIn and in interviews.”
“Hearing from people who’ve actually been through it - made a move, started something new, returned after years away, was exactly what I needed.”
“I finally stopped overthinking and started doing. That’s what this gave me.”
You don’t have to figure it all out today. But you do need a starting point.
The Stuck to Sorted Summit will give you structure, clarity and support to make decisions about your next step - whether that’s returning, changing, or creating something new.
You’re not starting from scratch.
You’re starting from here.
Copyrights 2025 | Stuck To Sorted Career Summit | www.elevatecareerscoach.com