Charlotte WomenRising Spring 2026

A Half-Day Charlotte 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.

North Carolina

State	Event City	Women's Leadership and Empowerment Conference Name	Planning Organization	Format	Review
North Carolina	Chapel Hill	Emotional Empowerment for Women: 1 Day Immersive Workshop \| Chapel Hill, NC		In-person	This workshop looks like a strong fit for women seeking confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Chapel Hill	Rise Chapel Hill 2026: Embodied Leadership Summit For Women	The Soma + Soul	In-person	This summit looks especially rewarding for women who want embodied leadership work, authentic expression, and a restorative growth experience that blends strategy with wellbeing.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Women In Leadership Conference (NCAIS)	North Carolina Association of Independent Schools	In-person	Women leaders in education should appreciate the practical well-being theme, interactive learning, and meaningful connections with peers.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Women Leading Ed Summit	Women Leading Ed	In-person	Female superintendents and c-suite education leaders can expect a rare executive-level space built around honest peer exchange and growth.
North Carolina	Charlotte	2026 Women In Leadership Conference	North Carolina Association of Independent Schools	In-person	Women attending could gain practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere at this conference.
North Carolina	Charlotte	2026 Women Leading Ed Summit	Women Leading Ed	In-person	This summit looks exceptional for women education executives who want executive-level discussion, strategic networking, and leadership coaching tailored to top school-system roles.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Amazing Women's Empowerment group - for Women Entrepreneurs	Amazing Women's Empowerment group - for Women Entrepreneurs	In-person	This event should appeal to women looking for confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Bet On Yourself Summit 3.0		In-person	Women attending could gain high-level ideas, strong networking potential, and motivating leadership energy at this summit.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Charlotte Business Journal 2026 Women in Business Awards	Charlotte Business Journal	In-person	The Charlotte program stands out as an inspiring regional celebration of female leadership, giving attendees the chance to learn from accomplished honorees and feel part of a strong community-impact story.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Charlotte Connections for Women	Charlotte Connections for Women	In-person	This event should appeal to women looking for meaningful peer connection, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Charlotte Dynamic Women	Charlotte Dynamic Women	In-person	This event appears especially valuable for women who want encouragement, useful takeaways, and a welcoming women-centered atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Charlotte Women In Business Networking		In-person	This networking event appears especially valuable for women who want business-growth ideas and professional perspective, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Community Conversations: Women, Leadership, and Feminism		In-person	This event appears especially valuable for women who want practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Confident Public Speaking for Women - 1 Day Course in Charlotte, NC		In-person	This course appears especially valuable for women who want practical professional-development tools, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Empowered Team Leadership for Women - 1 Day Training in Charlotte, NC		In-person	Women attending could gain practical leadership insight, confidence-building encouragement, and actionable takeaways at this training.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Empowered Women Charlotte	Empowered Women Charlotte	In-person	This event should appeal to women looking for confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Empowered Women Leaders: Self-Advocacy 1 Day Training \| Charlotte, NC		In-person	This training should appeal to women looking for practical leadership insight, confidence-building encouragement, and actionable takeaways.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Extraordinary Women Conference Charlotte 2026	Extraordinary Women	In-person	This conference looks like a strong fit for women seeking inspiring speakers, practical takeaways, and a supportive women-centered community.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Greater Galilee - Securing My Inheritance Women's Conference		In-person	This conference should appeal to women looking for inspiring speakers, practical takeaways, and a supportive women-centered community.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Growth, Confidence & Ease	Amazing Women's Empowerment group - for Women Entrepreneurs	In-person	This gathering looks appealing for women who want gentle encouragement, confidence-building conversation, and a more grounded sense of personal momentum.
North Carolina	Charlotte	HER SOCIETY: A Women's Empowerment Celebration		In-person	Women attending could gain confidence-building encouragement, uplifting recognition and community energy, and actionable takeaways at this celebration.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Her Story : Women Empowerment Brunch		In-person	This brunch should appeal to women looking for meaningful peer connection, confidence-building encouragement, and actionable takeaways.
North Carolina	Charlotte	She Speaks Conference	She Speaks Conference	In-person	This conference looks appealing for women who want inspiring speakers, hands-on workshops, and encouragement to share their stories with greater confidence.
North Carolina	Charlotte	She walks in purpose 2026 women conference		In-person	This conference appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	The SOAW, You're So Amazing! Women's Empowerment conference 2026	The Strength of a Woman NC/SC	In-person	This conference appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	United Praying Women 2026		In-person	Women attending could gain faith-rooted encouragement and reflection, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere at this event.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Unstoppable Women of Charlotte	Unstoppable Women of Charlotte	In-person	This event should appeal to women looking for encouragement, useful takeaways, and a welcoming women-centered atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Walking in Love Women's Conference		In-person	Women attending could gain inspiring speakers, practical takeaways, and a supportive women-centered community at this conference.
North Carolina	Charlotte	Work-Life Harmony for Women - 1 Day Session in Charlotte, NC		In-person	This session should appeal to women looking for encouragement, useful takeaways, and a welcoming women-centered atmosphere.
North Carolina	Charlotte	You're So Amazing Women Empowerment Conference	The Strength of a Woman, LLC	In-person	This conference looks like a strong fit for women seeking confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Durham	A.U.N.T.I.E.S.: Moving Forward Together		In-person	This event looks uplifting for women who want intergenerational support, community wisdom, and shared momentum around growth and connection.
North Carolina	Falconbridge	Her Glow Era: Women Empowerment Panel		In-person	This event appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Falconbridge	I Got Issues & Empowered Women United presents-From Pieces to Purpose		In-person	Women attending could gain confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere at this event.
North Carolina	Fayetteville	Force of Life Women: The Whole Woman Empowerment Conference 2026	Force Of Life Fayetteville	In-person	This conference appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, wellbeing and resilience support, and actionable takeaways.
North Carolina	Garner	Walking In My Purpose		In-person	This conference looks encouraging for women who want renewed purpose, faith-forward motivation, and the confidence to move intentionally into their next season.
North Carolina	Gastonia	2026 Women's Empowerment and Resource Summit		In-person	This summit appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Greensboro	An En Rouge Affair Empowerment Brunch		In-person	This brunch should appeal to women looking for meaningful peer connection, confidence-building encouragement, and actionable takeaways.
North Carolina	Hickory	Thinking With Tae presents "The Reboot Summit"		In-person	This summit appears especially valuable for women who want high-level ideas, strong networking potential, and motivating leadership energy.
North Carolina	North Carolina	Women 2 Women Empowerment Conference		In-person	This conference appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Raleigh	2026 Live Your Dream Celebration - Soroptimist International of Raleigh		In-person	This celebration looks inspiring for women who value recognition, mission-driven community, and encouragement around education, ambition, and life goals.
North Carolina	Raleigh	Triangle Business Journal 2026 Mentoring Monday	Triangle Business Journal	In-person	The site promises an energizing morning of speed mentoring that looks ideal for women who want quick insights, encouragement, and new professional relationships across career stages.
North Carolina	Raleigh	Triangle Business Journal 2026 Women In Business Awards	Triangle Business Journal	In-person	This long-running awards program looks appealing for women who value being recognized alongside standout Triangle leaders and drawing inspiration from peers with strong community impact.
North Carolina	Raleigh	Women Lead NC	NC Chamber	In-person	This event looks like a strong fit for women seeking practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Raleigh	Women's Leadership Conference	Women's Leadership Conference	In-person	This conference appears especially valuable for women who want practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Raleigh	Women's Leadership Conference 2026: Amplify Your Influence	Raleigh Chamber	In-person	This conference looks like a strong fit for women seeking practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
North Carolina	Virtual	WomenRising 2026 - North Carolina Women Leaders Association	North Carolina Women Leaders Association	Virtual	This event looks appealing for women who want polished keynote content, candid conversations about resilience and growth, and a strong cross-industry leadership network.
North Carolina	Winston-Salem	Business Women of Winston-Salem \| Interactive Social Event		In-person	This social gathering should appeal to women looking for meaningful peer connection, business-growth ideas and professional perspective, and actionable takeaways.

4. Locations Served by The Women Leaders Association Conference.

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A Half-Day Charlotte 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.

North Carolina

4. Locations Served by The Women Leaders Association Conference.

5. Useful Articles & Resources.