Celebrating Female Leaders at Grove City Chamber's Annual Women's Forum

by Katie Browder-Person

The Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual WE:LEAD Women's Forum, an inspiring celebration of female leadership, on May 24 at the Aladdin Shrine Center.

This event was an opportunity for female business owners and professionals from the local area to come together and share their stories of success, as well as discuss strategies for achieving their goals. Attendees were able to learn from each other, network with like-minded individuals, and gain invaluable insight into how to succeed in their own business endeavors. The event was truly a remarkable testament to the potential of female leadership. This year's WE:LEAD event, presented by Wright Patt Credit Union, was dynamic with loads of amazing speakers and panelists.

Throughout the day, the theme of self-care and self-awareness was woven into every session. The panelists emphasized that taking care of oneself is just as important as taking care of one's career. The speakers and panelists included a diverse group of female leaders who shared their insights and experiences. They represented a range of industries and professions, including healthcare, finance, education, and entrepreneurship. Each brought value and unique perspectives to the conversation about women in leadership.

Jennifer Kelly started the conference with a powerful message about kindness that resonated with the audience. Traditional gender stereotypes were addressed and Jennifer provided great insight on how to succeed in the workspace as a "boss" lady without having to change your core values.

Tiffany Berger with Breathworx614 began her session by posing the question “What does well-being mean to you?” She then introduced the relaxation and stress reducing technique of breathwork. Tiffany also shared the power of Breathwork with the group by leading the room in a series of techniques to help us expand our knowledge of breathing and how it relates to wellbeing.

After lunch speaker Jennifer Stauffer spoke about her experiences in stress management. She shared that through practicing mindfulness, one can gain a better handle on natural stress responses that happen every day.

A special visit by Lieutenant Jason Stern with the Grove City Division of Police brought an interactive self-defense presentation to the group. Teaching the women how to be strong in mind, body and AWARENESS! (Watch Video Above)

Linda Pringle Evans, presented the Power of Asking, key strategies like "knowing yourself" and blocking out "limiting beliefs" offered attendees a much needed kick to speak up and ask for what you deserve.

Keynote speaker, Vickie Thompson-Sandy, CEO with the Buckeye Ranch, spoke about our future female leaders. Vickie highlighted the importance of lifting each other up and how important it is for women to lead with authenticity and intentionality. She also discussed the significance of mental health in leadership and how vital it is for leaders to take care of themselves

This year’s WE:LEAD Women's Forum was a fantastic event that celebrated female leaders while providing valuable insights and inspiration. It was a reminder that women have a lot to offer in all fields and industries and that supporting each other is key to our collective success.

We’re already excited for next year’s Forum, but until then keep an eye on the newsletter, social media, and Chamber website calendar for WE:LEAD mixers throughout the rest of the year.

Thank You Sponsors

A big thank you to the sponsors who have already committed their support to this year’s Forum. They are: Presenting Sponsor— WrightPatt Credit Union. WE:LEAD Sponsor—Air Quality Solutions. Session Sponsor—Auto Service Experts Ohio by Sanderson Automotive LLC. Décor & Centerpiece Sponsor—Sugar Maple Commons, A Treplus Community. There is still time to commit to sponsoring this wonderful Forum, view options in the Sponsorship kit here (www.gcchamber.org/sponsorship-opportunities/) and reach out to the Chamber office at 614-875-9762 to express interest.