The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce this week will be hosting itsthird annual Women Empowering Women Summit. The event is being held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday at Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy.
“Join us for the chamber’s third annual women-focused event where women can connect, grow, and lead,” the chamber offered. “The event fosters a supportive network of women who share similar goals and mindsets.”
Featured at the summit will be the keynote speaker Alex Sink and returning presenters Ginger Johnson and Dr. Shana D. Lewis. Also area businesses and vendors will be on site to show off their wares to a captive audience.
The chamber said the event will allow participants, “To connect with your fellow, like-minded, women in business and community. Grow as you hear and learn from the experiences of the powerful women featured at this conference and share your story with those that you meet. Then walk away feeling refreshed, empowered, and ready to lead.”
The summit is a good fit for women in all areas of business, the chamber said, including “Women business owners, CEOs, entrepreneurs, executives, founders, mom-preneurs, and professionals who will explore empowerment, leadership, and overcoming challenges together.”
Attendees to the Women Empowering Women Summit will be “inspired and equipped with valuable skills to transform their business and/or careers,” chamber officials said.
Organizers said the summit is a chance to “listen to the experiences of some of the most powerful and influential business leaders from within the community and without, while connecting with other women.”
The keynote address, “Lessons from Growing Up in Mayberry,” will be delivered by Sink, who the chamber described as a distinguished leader with a diverse career in banking, politics, and community advocacy.
Sink was raised in Mount Airy and is the great-granddaughter of Chang and Adelaide Bunker. The Mount Airy High alumni went to earn her Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Wake Forest University before teaching in West Africa. Following that was a career spanning over a quarter century in banking.
“Raised on Hollyview Farm and a graduate of Mount Airy High, Sink served as the chief financial officer of Florida in 2007. Her insights will provide valuable lessons on leadership and resilience,” the chamber wrote.
Florida in 2002 created the state level cabinet post of chief financial officer that folded together the offices of state comptroller, treasurer, fire marshal, and insurance commissioner that was third in line of succession to the governor. Sink is the second of only four to hold the office since its creation.
In 2010 she was within striking distance of winning her race to be governor of Florida gaining the vote of 2,557,785 Floridians but losing to Rick Scott by 61,550 votes in a crowded field of eight candidates.
Sink is also active in the world of nonprofits and founded Ruth’s List Florida in 2008. The group’s website explained, “With women underrepresented in all levels of public office across the state, (Sink) saw a great need to build the bench of dynamic women leaders to serve in state and local government. Ruth’s List is named for Ruth Bryan Owen, the first woman elected to Congress from the South.”
Joining Sink will be a pair of speakers who have participated in the Women Empowering Women Summit in previous years. Dr. Shana D. Lewis is an author, executive wellness coach, and licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience. She is the founder of SDL Enterprises and helps high-achieving women achieve harmony by mastering the 12 dimensions of wellness.
Motivational speaker Ginger Johnson, known for her insights on transformation through human connection, will offer a unique perspective on leadership development to attendees.
Tickets to the summit are on sale now and chamber membership has its privileges including entry for $99 as opposed to $119 for non-chamber members. All tickets include continental breakfast and lunch as well as a conference branded goodie bag.
Registration, breakfast, and networking will begin at 8 a.m. to allow for participants to mingle and meet.
“The Women Empowering Women Summit is a must-attend event for those looking to enhance their leadership skills, overcome challenges, and connect with other driven professionals,” the chamber said.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mtairyncchamber.org
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