GENERAL SESSION: Making Space for Joy: Resilience, Reinvention, and the Power of Perspective
From reporting in war zones to becoming one of America’s most beloved morning show hosts, Hoda Kotb’s journey is a testament to the strength of resilience, reinvention, and joy. In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation with Laura Hopkins, Kotb shares lessons from her decades-long career in journalism, her personal battles with adversity, and her mission to help others find meaning and connection even in life’s most challenging moments. Drawing from her bestselling books, award-winning reporting, and her work building the Joy 101 wellness platform, Kotb offers a deeply human perspective on overcoming setbacks, leading with empathy, and making space for joy in our lives and work. With her signature warmth and authenticity, she invites audiences to reflect on what really matters and how to show up for it. Sponsored by Optimal Blue.
Speakers
Moderator
Laura Hopkins is Senior Vice President of Membership and Meetings at the Mortgage Bankers Association, where she leads the association’s Membership and Meetings departments. Since joining MBA in 2017 as Director of Membership, she has advanced through leadership roles and in 2025 assumed her current position. In this role, Hopkins oversees Member Services, Residential Membership, Associate Membership, and Commercial/Multifamily Membership functions, while also leading the strategic direction and management of MBA’s conferences and meetings, as well as mPower, MBA’s networking platform for women in the real estate finance industry. With a focus on developing, strengthening, and managing relationships with senior executives and their teams at member companies, Hopkins and her team are dedicated to maximizing the value of MBA membership, enhancing engagement, and fortifying member connections across the industry. With nearly two decades of sales, marketing, and management expertise in the mortgage banking sector, Hopkins has built a career centered on expanding business platforms through strategic recruiting, driving program and product utilization, and growing revenue. She is recognized for her unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and support to both MBA members and colleagues. A strong advocate for advancing women in the industry, Hopkins has been actively engaged with mPower since its inception and was honored in 2025 with HousingWire’s Women of Influence award. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Merchandising from Florida State University.
Speakers
Hoda Kotb is one of America’s most recognized journalists, authors, and media personalities. Best known as the former co-anchor of NBC News’ TODAY and co-host of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, she spent 17 years with the program, including as co-host of the fourth hour alongside Kathie Lee Gifford. She is also the host of the popular podcast Making Space with Hoda Kotb and founder of the wellness platform Joy 101. Since joining NBC News in 1998, Kotb has served as a correspondent for Dateline NBC and has reported on major domestic and international stories across the NBC News platforms, including the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and conflicts in the Middle East. She has also contributed to NBC’s coverage of multiple Olympic Games. A prolific author, Kotb has written nine New York Times bestselling books, including I Really Needed This Today and her latest, Jump and Find Joy (2025). Her work has earned numerous honors, including Emmy, Peabody, Edward R. Murrow, and duPont-Columbia awards. She is also a member of the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.
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