Florida WomenRising Spring 2026

A Half-Day Florida Women's Leadership & Empowerment Conference

May 11, 2026, 2026, 1 pm - 4 pm Eastern | Live Virtual Event

Rise. Lead. Thrive.

Early-Bird $50 Discount Ends Soon!

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Join hundreds of ambitious, high-achieving businesswomen across industries for WomenRising 2026—a dynamic half-day virtual conference designed to empower, elevate, and ignite the next chapter of your leadership journey.

Whether you're aiming for the next promotion, navigating complex leadership dynamics, or simply seeking renewed purpose, this is your moment to rise.

Powerhouse Speakers

Miranda Fulk

Managing DirectorNorthwestern Mutual

Liz Schwartz

Executive Director, US Policy & Govt RelationsMerck & Co.

Gabrielle Howard

DirectorProcter & Gamble

Tamara Robinson

Senior DirectorRedfin

Mona Raju

Manager of Global Learning & DevelopmentNissan

Elizabeth Mansfield

Senior DirectorPinterest

Kate Nowak

Head of Customer SuccessSAP

Britney Young

Senior Technical Product ManagerAmazon Web Services (AWS)

Rachel Hurley

DirectorBayer

Erin Baber-Sherwood

HR Response PartnerPaychex

🎤 Transformational Keynotes

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Resist the Call to Play Small: Leading with Authenticity.

Erin Baber-Sherwood

HR Response Partner at Paychex

Discover how embracing your authentic voice can become your greatest leadership advantage. This keynote will inspire attendees to lead boldly, show up fully, and make an impact without shrinking to fit expectations.

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Hacking Your Brain for Health and Happiness.

Mona Raju

Manager Global Learning & Development at Nissan.

Explore practical strategies to rewire your mindset for greater well-being, resilience, and joy. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to improve mental fitness and create healthier, happier daily habits.

Panels with Candid Truths

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When It’s Time to Pivot: Reinventing Yourself Without Starting Over

Leaders from Bayer, Nissan, Pinterest, Northwestern Mutual, and Merck.

Hear how accomplished women have navigated major career and life shifts while building on the strengths they already had. This conversation will offer fresh perspective on reinvention, growth, and making your next move with confidence.

💎

Behind Every Great Woman: The Power of Mentors & Sponsors

Leaders from Procter & Gamble, Amazon Web Services, Redfin and SAP.

Learn why mentors and sponsors are essential to career advancement and personal growth. This panel will highlight how powerful relationships can open doors, amplify potential, and help women rise together.

Why Attend WomenRising?

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Top-tier women leaders sharing candid stories and actionable advice

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Zero fluff—only real talk from women who've been there

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Network digitally with like-minded, driven professionals

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Leave recharged, refocused, and reconnected to your potential

Full Conference Agenda

1:00 PM

Keynote: Resist the Call to Play Small: Leading with Authenticity.

Erin Baber-Sherwood

HR Response Partner Paychex

1:30 PM

Panel: When It’s Time to Pivot: Reinventing Yourself Without Starting Over.

Rachel Hurley

Director, US State and Local Government Affairs Bayer

Mona Raju

Manager Global Learning & Development Nissan

Elizabeth Mansfield

Senior Director Pinterest

Miranda Fulk

Managing Director Northwestern Mutual

Liz Schwartz

Executive Director Merck & Co

2:15 PM

Keynote: Hacking Your Brain for Health and Happiness.

Mona Raju

Manager Global Learning & Development Nissan

2:45 PM

Panel: When It’s Time to Pivot: Reinventing Yourself Without Starting Over.

Anu Kharadkar

Global Strategy Director Sherwin-Williams

Karen Van Every

Head of Product Design CNN

Diana Roberts

Sr Director Ricoh

Leslie Hefter

Sr. Director DHL eCommerce

Vasudhara Kantroo

Senior Director Dropbox

What Past Attendees Say

★★★★★ 4.9 Google Verified Business Reviews

"Inspiring speakers who motivate us all to build our relationships with our fellow women leaders."

- Jolene Vos-Camy, Calvin University

"I highly recommend this community for all women."

- Giselle Sandy-Phillips, Constellation

"Great webinar topics and speakers! Looking forward to more ..."

- Dolly Greenhalgh, Playworks

"The meetings are always valuable to me."

- Julie Mobley, Cullman Internal Medicine

"The speakers are really great. They offer practical advice and inspiration for women in the workplace."

- Krista Bednorz, Wayne & Roberts

"Came through again with meaningful content that was a valuable use of my time."

- Maria McWilliams, Vanderlande

"Really enjoy the speakers and the connection to other women leaders. Valuable group."

- Shannon McVeigh, RSM Enterprises

"Great thought provoking presentations."

- Tamaki Stratman, The Historical Society

Buyer's Guide: How To Choose the Right Women's Leadership Conference or Summit.

1. Criteria in Choosing a Women's Leadership Conference or Summit.

A women's leadership conference is only partly about the stage. The real value is not in trying to absorb every slide, every panel, and every keynote; it is in using the event as a live map of what serious leaders are thinking about right now. The most effective attendees arrive with a point of view and a short list of questions they want answered: Which leadership challenge am I trying to solve? Which assumptions do I need to pressure-test? Who in this room sees the future earlier than I do? That shift matters. Once you stop treating the conference like a fire hose of content and start treating it like a focused leadership lab, your decisions get better. You choose sessions more deliberately, listen for recurring themes, and use hallway conversations to test ideas in real time. A strong conference outcome is not “I attended everything.” It is “I left with one sharper strategic idea, a handful of meaningful relationships, and a clearer sense of what to do next.”

That kind of outcome begins before you ever put on your badge. Effective attendees do their homework. They study the agenda, identify the sessions most likely to challenge their thinking, and make a priority list of people they genuinely want to meet. Then they reach out early. A short note before the event can do more than a dozen awkward introductions onsite: it lets you pre-introduce yourself, suggest a coffee, or simply tell someone you plan to attend their session. Just as important, do not overschedule every minute. Leave room for serendipity, because leadership conferences often become most valuable in the spaces between formal sessions. Build in white space for a conversation that runs long, a speaker you want to approach, or an impromptu lunch with someone who sees your industry from a different angle. The best attendees are prepared, but they are not rigid; they create structure so they can take advantage of surprise.

Once you are there, your most important tool is not your business card. It is your ability to explain who you are in a way that is clear, memorable, and relevant. Too many attendees answer “What do you do?” with a job title and a dead end. A better answer is a short “movie trailer” of your work: what you lead, what problem you are trying to solve, and why it matters now. Pair that with a small repertoire of questions that invite real conversation rather than polite noise. Asking what brought someone to this conference, what issue is taking more leadership time than it should, or what they are seeing change in their organization quickly moves the exchange from small talk to substance. Even for introverts, this approach works because it replaces performance with curiosity. You do not have to impress the room. You have to help one person at a time feel that the conversation with you was worth having.

That is why the smartest conference attendees work the room humanly, not theatrically. They do not try to become the loudest networker in the ballroom. They focus on a series of thoughtful, one-to-one exchanges, and they use good business etiquette to make those exchanges easy for everyone else. They know how to enter a group without hijacking it, introduce people to one another, shift conversations gracefully, and exit without awkwardness. They pay attention to small details because small details signal leadership maturity. They listen more than they speak. They notice who asks the sharpest questions from the audience. They treat coffee lines, post-session clusters, and shared tables as openings rather than inconveniences. And when they meet someone interesting, they capture a quick note afterward so the conversation does not dissolve into the blur of the day. A leadership conference rewards energy, yes, but it rewards composure, attentiveness, and generosity even more.

It also rewards people who understand that networking is not a numbers game. The point is not to collect the most contacts; it is to strengthen the right mix of relationships. Some of the most valuable people you meet will not be the headline speakers or the obvious power players. They may be peers wrestling with the same management problem, operators from adjacent industries, rising leaders with fresh pattern recognition, or connectors who know worlds you do not. So go broad enough to avoid an echo chamber, and generous enough to be useful. Offer a relevant introduction. Share an article, a framework, or a data point. Ask, “How can I help?” with sincerity, not theater. Authenticity matters because people can feel the difference between someone building a relationship and someone merely working a room. Leadership conferences create a rare temporary community; the attendees who benefit most are the ones who contribute to that community while they are in it.

The final test of conference effectiveness comes after the flight home. If you do not process the event quickly, even excellent conversations decay into vague good intentions. Block time within a day or two to review your notes, organize the contacts you made, and decide what each relationship actually needs next. Some people deserve an immediate follow-up tied to a specific opportunity. Some belong in a smaller group of relationships worth deepening over time. Others may only call for a brief note of appreciation and a connection request with context. The follow-up itself should be short, specific, and personal: remind them what you discussed, deliver any resource you promised, and suggest a natural next step. That simple discipline is where conference value compounds. The real return on attending a leadership conference is not measured by how busy you felt while you were there. It is measured by which ideas you acted on, which relationships continued, and how much better you lead because you went.

2. Key Questions to Answer Before Selecting a Women's Leadership Conference and Summit.

Is this women's leadership conference aligned with my goals?
Yes--clearly define your primary objective (e.g., networking, skill-building, advancement) and ensure the agenda emphasizes practical outcomes, not just inspiration; the strongest conferences explicitly map sessions to real career use cases and future growth paths.

Who is the audience--and do I belong there?
You should see a strong match between your career stage and the attendee profile, with a mix of peers (for shared learning), senior leaders (for mentorship), and diverse industries if cross-pollination is valuable to you.

How strong and relevant are the speakers?
Prioritize conferences featuring accomplished practitioners with real leadership experience, not just recognizable names--look for speakers known for actionable insights and a range of perspectives that reflect different paths to leadership.

What is the quality of networking opportunities?
The best events intentionally design networking through structured formats (roundtables, small groups), making it easy to build meaningful connections rather than leaving interactions to chance in large, impersonal settings.

Is the content practical and actionable?
High-quality conferences balance inspiration with execution, offering workshops, frameworks, and tools you can immediately apply, rather than relying solely on panels or keynote speeches.
v Who is organizing it--and what’s their reputation?
Choose conferences hosted by well-known publishers, universities, or respected associations with a track record of consistent, well-reviewed events and strong attendee satisfaction.
v What is the format and experience like?
Select a format (in-person, virtual, hybrid) that fits your goals, and consider event size and pacing--smaller or well-structured events often provide deeper engagement and better opportunities to connect.

What’s the ROI (return on investment)?
Evaluate whether the cost aligns with tangible benefits like skills gained, quality of connections, and career impact--and ensure you can clearly articulate this value if seeking employer support.

Are there opportunities for visibility or participation?
Look for events that allow you to actively contribute--through speaking, mentoring, or facilitated sessions--which can significantly increase your visibility and long-term value from attending.

What happens after the conference?
The strongest conferences extend beyond the event itself, offering ongoing communities, resources, and follow-up opportunities that help you sustain relationships and continue learning.

3. Directory of Women's Leadership Conferences and Summits Near Me.

State	Event City	Women's Leadership and Empowerment Conference Name	Planning Organization	Format	Review
Florida	Aventura	Women in Retail Leadership Summit	Women in Retail Leadership Circle	In-person	The invitation-only setting can be especially attractive for senior retail women seeking high-caliber peers and practical leadership insight.
Florida	Bartow	2026 She Ascends Women's Summit	Sharonda Lawrence	In-person	This summit looks motivating for women who want to rise into the next level of confidence, purpose, and leadership.
Florida	Boca Raton	Women Business Expo & Conferences 2026 - Boca Raton	Global Trade Chamber	In-person	This expo looks attractive for women entrepreneurs who want visibility, vendor opportunities, and fresh business connections in a commerce-focused setting.
Florida	Boynton Beach	Know Your Strengths	Women's Foundation of Florida	In-person	This professional development session looks especially useful for women who want clearer self-awareness and a better sense of how to lead from their strengths.
Florida	Boynton Beach	Through the Labyrinth: Unwritten Rules of Leadership	Women's Foundation of Florida	In-person	This session looks thoughtful for women who want to better understand workplace dynamics and navigate leadership with more confidence and strategy.
Florida	Brooksville	COAH Women's Retreat 2026	City on a Hill Church	In-person	This retreat looks warm and restorative for women seeking spiritual renewal, fellowship, and time away to reflect.
Florida	Dania Beach	Puffn Duchess: When Women Rise We All Rise	Women's Smoking Society	In-person	This event looks affirming for women who want spirited community, encouragement, and the feel-good energy of a women-centered gathering.
Florida	Fort Lauderdale	NCEO Women's Summit	NCEO	In-person	This summit looks especially beneficial for women in employee ownership who want a focused peer network, leadership ideas, and candid conversations with women in the field.
Florida	Fort Lauderdale	Puffn Duchess Women's Conference	Women's Smoking Society	In-person	This conference looks distinctive for women who want bold community, unapologetic networking, and a playful women-centered atmosphere.
Florida	Fort Lauderdale	South Florida Women's Business Conference & Expo	Broward County Chamber of Commerce	In-person	This conference and expo looks valuable for women business owners who want networking, business exposure, and practical connections across South Florida.
Florida	Greenacres	AN EVENING OF PURPOSE & POWER - A Luxury Gala for Women & Men	Eventbrite listing	In-person	This gala looks polished and celebratory for women who enjoy elegant networking, inspiring purpose-driven energy, and a special-occasion atmosphere.
Florida	Hillsboro Beach	She Blooms - Women Conference	Shine With Purpose	In-person	This conference looks nurturing for women who want encouragement, spiritual or personal growth, and a sense of fresh blooming momentum.
Florida	Hollywood	WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum	Women Presidents Organization	In-person	Established women business owners can expect high-level peer learning, strategic conversations, and a strong sense of entrepreneurial community.
Florida	Hollywood	10th Annual Self-Love Day: Reset Retreat	I am Complete Woman's Sisterhood	In-person	This retreat looks restorative for women who want self-love, reflection, and a genuine mental and emotional reset.
Florida	Hollywood	2026 Women's Empowerment Scholarship Luncheon	Jamaican Women of Florida	In-person	This luncheon looks meaningful for women who appreciate community celebration, scholarship support, and an empowering room full of accomplished women.
Florida	Jacksonville	Exquisite Creations - Women's Conference 2026	Exquisite Creations	In-person	This conference looks uplifting for women who want inspiration, fellowship, and a supportive atmosphere centered on growth.
Florida	Jacksonville	Jacksonville Business Journal 2026 Mentoring Monday	Jacksonville Business Journal	In-person	The event highlights a practical mix of networking and experienced mentors, making it a strong pick for women who want confidence-building advice and strategic local connections.
Florida	Jacksonville	Jacksonville Women's Leadership Forum	Jacksonville Women's Leadership Forum	In-person	This forum looks like a polished, high-quality space for women to hear strong speakers, gain fresh perspective, and expand their leadership network.
Florida	Lake Mary	Florida Bankers Association Women in Leadership Conference	Florida Bankers Association	In-person	This conference looks especially worthwhile for women in banking who want industry-relevant leadership insight and meaningful peer connections.
Florida	Lakeland	Stronger 2026	PF Women / Pen Florida	In-person	This event looks encouraging for women who want faith-forward inspiration, shared worship, and renewed inner strength.
Florida	Leesburg	Retiro de Mujeres Hispanas / Hispanic Women's Retreat 1	Florida Baptist Convention	In-person	This retreat looks restorative for Hispanic women seeking faith, encouragement, and deeper community in a retreat setting.
Florida	Leesburg	Retiro de Mujeres Hispanas / Hispanic Women's Retreat 2	Florida Baptist Convention	In-person	This retreat looks restorative for Hispanic women seeking faith, encouragement, and deeper community in a retreat setting.
Florida	Miami	Called & Chosen Women's Conference 2026	Dutes Sisters	In-person	This conference looks encouraging for women who want faith, confidence, and sisterhood in a purpose-driven setting.
Florida	Miami	EmpowHer Miami 2026	EmpowHER Connect	In-person	This summit looks vibrant for women who want Miami energy, empowerment messaging, and connections with ambitious peers.
Florida	Miami Beach	Puffn Duchess: Havana Night	Women's Smoking Society	In-person	This themed social looks fun for women who want stylish networking, celebration, and a lively shared experience.
Florida	Naples	Women in Insurance Leadership ExecuSummit	ExecuSummit	In-person	Insurance professionals should appreciate the focused strategy sessions, expert presenters, and intimate executive-level atmosphere.
Florida	Orlando	2026 NPC National Women's Workshop	NPC	In-person	This national workshop looks appealing for women who want a larger-scale gathering with shared learning, community, and a sense of momentum.
Florida	Orlando	2026 Women's Leadership Summit (WLS)	Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA)	In-person	This summit looks valuable for women in accounting and finance who want career-minded leadership development alongside peers in the profession.
Florida	Orlando	Empowered Emotions: A One-Day Women's Growth Workshop in Orlando, FL	Wisdom Hub - Global	Both	This one-day workshop looks helpful for women who want emotional growth tools, self-awareness, and a focused day of personal development.
Florida	Orlando	The Women's Wellness Day Out in Orlando	Eventbrite listing	In-person	This wellness day looks enjoyable for women who want a mix of self-care, inspiration, and health-minded community.
Florida	Orlando	WIN Collective: Annual Women in Public Service Summit	Women of Influence Networking	In-person	This summit looks energizing for women in public service who want mission-driven networking, leadership encouragement, and a stronger civic community.
Florida	Orlando	WOO Weekend - Every Woman Expo 2026	Women of Orlando - WOO	In-person	This expo looks fun and useful for women who want to discover women-led brands, gather ideas, and make lots of new connections in one place.
Florida	Orlando	WOO Weekend- Women of Orlando Luncheon 2026	Women of Orlando - WOO	In-person	This luncheon looks like a welcoming way for women to deepen local relationships, celebrate one another, and enjoy community in person.
Florida	Palm Beach	Women Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Lunch \| Palm Beach (Apr 2, 2026)	Apex Business Coaching	In-person	This lunch looks useful for women business owners who want easy local networking, referrals, and smart conversation without a big time commitment.
Florida	Palm Beach Gardens	Women Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Lunch \| Palm Beach Gardens (Apr 9, 2026)	Apex Business Coaching	In-person	This lunch looks useful for women business owners who want easy local networking, referrals, and smart conversation without a big time commitment.
Florida	Sanford	Women in Global Business & Leadership Summit	Global Women of Impact	In-person	This summit looks attractive for women who want global perspective, business-minded leadership conversation, and an internationally oriented network.
Florida	Sunny Isles Beach	9th Annual Women Empowerment Luncheon	Pearls of Life Women Foundation, Inc.	In-person	This luncheon looks uplifting for women who want encouragement, community recognition, and a polished empowerment-focused gathering.
Florida	Sunrise	Women Business Expo Conferences Sunrise 2026	Global Trade Chamber	In-person	This expo looks attractive for women entrepreneurs who want visibility, vendor opportunities, and fresh business connections in a commerce-focused setting.
Florida	Tallahassee	2026 Women's Summit	Florida Society of Association Executives	In-person	This summit looks useful for women in the association world who want leadership insight, community, and practical ideas they can bring back to their organizations.
Florida	Tampa	2026 Women Entrepreneurship Conference: Women In Power	The Switzer Hych Group	In-person	This conference looks energizing for women entrepreneurs who want visibility, ambition-fueled motivation, and peers focused on growth and power.
Florida	Tampa	Women in Senior Leadership: Executive Workshop (8 Hours) \| Tampa, FL	Wisdom Hub - Global	Both	This executive workshop looks useful for senior women leaders who want concentrated skill-building and a more intentional leadership toolkit.
Florida	TBD	Goddess Essence Retreat Florida	Heart Core Tantra	In-person	This retreat looks appealing for women who want deep reflection, self-connection, and a more grounded relationship with themselves.
Florida	West Palm Beach	Professional Women in Healthcare Leadership Summit	Professional Women in Healthcare (PWH)	In-person	The emphasis on inclusive leadership, TED-style talks, and actionable takeaways makes this a strong choice for healthcare career growth.
Florida	West Palm Beach	Collaboration by Design: Use your Strengths to Elevate Team Success	Women's Foundation of Florida	In-person	This workshop looks strong for women who want to collaborate more effectively, use strengths-based tools, and help teams work better together.
Florida	West Palm Beach	Developing a High Performing Workplace Culture	Women's Foundation of Florida	In-person	This session looks practical for women who want to build healthier team culture and leave with ideas they can use at work right away.
Florida	West Palm Beach	The Restored Women Experience Luncheon	Hey, Sandy! PR & Communications	In-person	This luncheon looks appealing for women who want restorative encouragement, polished networking, and a hopeful, uplifting atmosphere.
Florida	West Palm Beach	Women Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Lunch \| West Palm Beach (Mar 4, 2026)	Apex Business Coaching	In-person	This lunch looks useful for women business owners who want easy local networking, referrals, and smart conversation without a big time commitment.
Florida	West Palm Beach	Women Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Lunch \| West Palm Beach (May 28, 2026)	Apex Business Coaching	In-person	This lunch looks useful for women business owners who want easy local networking, referrals, and smart conversation without a big time commitment.

4. Locations Served by The Women Leaders Association Conference.

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A Half-Day Florida Women's Leadership & Empowerment Conference

Rise. Lead. Thrive.

Powerhouse Speakers

🎤 Transformational Keynotes

Resist the Call to Play Small: Leading with Authenticity.

Hacking Your Brain for Health and Happiness.

Panels with Candid Truths

When It’s Time to Pivot: Reinventing Yourself Without Starting Over

Behind Every Great Woman: The Power of Mentors & Sponsors

Why Attend WomenRising?

Full Conference Agenda

What Past Attendees Say

Register Now Risk-Free

Buyer's Guide: How To Choose the Right Women's Leadership Conference or Summit.

1. Criteria in Choosing a Women's Leadership Conference or Summit.

2. Key Questions to Answer Before Selecting a Women's Leadership Conference and Summit.

3. Directory of Women's Leadership Conferences and Summits Near Me.

4. Locations Served by The Women Leaders Association Conference.

5. Useful Articles & Resources.