Some events promise connection and inspiration. The Carolina Women’s Collective Summit delivered both today—and then some.
Hosted at the beautiful (and newly renovated!) Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach, NC, the 2025 Summit was an unforgettable day of storytelling, strategy, and sisterhood—designed to help ambitious, purpose-driven women from across North Carolina reconnect, refocus, and reignite what’s possible.
The Right Room
You’ve heard the saying: “If you’re the smartest woman in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” This was absolutely the right room.
From the opening remarks by Newport Town Manager Michele Querry, to New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey’s perfectly practical “Life by Design” talk (btw, she lives right here in Beaufort!), to the real talk panel featuring Ashley Harrell, April Mitchell, Ann Marie Raymond, and Zelle Wiggins, the programming was smart, intentional, and energizing from start to finish.
My Roost Retreat business partner, Stephanie Money Deans, attended the inaugural Summit last year and came back raving—and when a fellow event-industry pro gives high praise, I pay attention. After attending this year, I can say with confidence: her assessment was spot on.
Beyond the Stage
What truly elevated the day were the people and conversations.
Lunch reconnection: Caught up with Lynn Minges of the NC Restaurant & Lodging Association, who’s always full of insight about hospitality and leadership.
Book talk & balance: Shared a table (and some great scheduling hacks) with Kristy Woodson Harvey—adding her novels to my must-read list.
Coastal connections: Met Anna Segrave and her business partner, Sam, of Downtown Barre in Morehead City — their community-first energy is contagious.
Wolfpack strong: Reconnected with fellow NC State supporter and real estate pro Elizabeth Stack, and finally got to talk shop in person with Paige Allen Harris from Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy and Flatlands Jessup—after so many email exchanges, it was great to connect offline.
Bonus rec: My tablemates convinced me to finally listen to Daisy Jones & The Six on audiobook — and I’m officially on board.
The Mic-Drop Moments
The programming was packed with insights, but two sessions really stuck with me.
First: The afternoon keynote from Dr. Sarah Glova, Blueprint to Innovation. Her message hit home: “Innovation is not a trait—it’s a skill. We can learn and practice.” A perfect reminder for any entrepreneur, leader, or creative.
Second: A mid-day working session led by Annie Franceschi, branding expert, author, and host of the Establish Yourself® podcast. Annie walked us through her Referral Message Creator™ — a genius framework for crafting a quick, clear, three-sentence way to make it easy for people to refer you. (Seriously, this is a game changer. Try it yourself!)
Name Dropping? Yes, And…
Sharing the names and links above of the women I connected with today isn’t about name-dropping—it’s about celebrating the incredible diversity of experience represented in the room. From authors and town managers to small business owners, brand strategists, and nonprofit leaders, every woman brought a different lens and story to the table. I left feeling deeply grateful to be among the caliber of women who call North Carolina home and made space in their crowded calendars to come together today.
Worth Every Penny
As a small business owner, I’m intentional about where I spend on professional development. I grabbed my early-bird ticket for $200, and I can honestly say I got far more than $200 in value.
For context, mid-event, an email popped into my inbox about another RTP-area event priced at $600 for a half day. As far as value, there’s no comparison—the Carolina Women’s Collective Summit delivered big on both quality and connection.
Looking Ahead
The go-getter founders—Booth Parker, Jillian Lister, and Silvana Botta—have created something truly special: an event that blends purpose and polish, where women learn, grow, and champion each other’s success.
The 2026 Carolina Women’s Collective Summit returns to Coral Bay on October 22, 2026, and I’ll be ready to grab my ticket the moment they go on sale.
Until then, I’ll be carrying forward the lessons, conversations, and momentum from a day that reminded me what happens when women show up—for themselves and for each other.
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