Memphis WomenRising Spring 2026

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

May 11, 2026, 2026, 12 pm - 3 pm Central | 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

12:00 PM

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

Erin Baber-Sherwood

HR Response Partner Paychex

12:30 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

1:15 PM

Keynote: Hacking Your Brain for Health and Happiness.

Mona Raju

Manager Global Learning & Development Nissan

1:45 PM

Panel: Behind Every Great Woman: The Power of Mentors & Sponsors.

Gabrielle Howard

Director - MSO Business Planner Procter & Gamble

Britney Young

Senior Technical Product Manager Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Tamara Robinson

Senior Director, Real Estate Operations Redfin

Kate Nowak

Head of Customer Success SAP

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
Tennessee	Chattanooga	WITS Chattanooga	WITS Travel Creator Summit	In-person	This summit looks excellent for women travel creators who want top-tier industry insight, practical workshops, and a chance to build partnerships in a highly connected community.
Tennessee	Cleveland	PURSUIT WOMEN'S CONFERENCE 2026	Judy Jacobs' Ministries	In-person	This conference looks uplifting for women who want spiritual encouragement, shared worship, and a supportive atmosphere that can renew focus and faith.
Tennessee	Gatlinburg	Smoky Mountain Boots and Roots Hiking	Explorer Chicks of Des Moines	In-person	This women-only hiking trip looks especially memorable for its blend of scenic adventure, women's history, creative activities, and cozy glamping-style community.
Tennessee	Knoxville	âœ¨Visibility Challengeâœ¨ Are you up for it?	Women Entrepreneurs Referral & Resource Network - Knoxville	Virtual	This challenge looks motivating for women who want gentle accountability around showing up more visibly, promoting their work, and building confidence in public.
Tennessee	Knoxville	Be Seen, Be Heard & Get Booked in 2026	Women Entrepreneurs Referral & Resource Network - Knoxville	Virtual	This event looks valuable for women entrepreneurs who want better visibility, stronger positioning, and practical ideas for getting in front of more audiences and opportunities.
Tennessee	Knoxville	Knox County Republican Women Meetup	Patriots of East Tennessee / Knox County Republican Women	In-person	This meetup looks useful for women who want civic conversation, conservative community, and a local network of politically engaged peers.
Tennessee	Knoxville	Networking with a Twist!	Women Entrepreneurs Referral & Resource Network - Knoxville	Virtual	This online networking event looks refreshing for women who want more than business-card exchanges, with structured breakout conversations that can lead to real collaboration.
Tennessee	Knoxville	UT Leadership Conference (UTLC)	University of Tennessee System Administration HR / EEOD	In-person	This conference looks strong for women who want practical leadership development, fresh inspiration, and plenty of chances to trade ideas across roles and industries.
Tennessee	Knoxville	Women in Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Summit	University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business	In-person	This summit looks worthwhile for women at any career stage who want agile leadership ideas, practical strategies, and strong networking across business and higher education.
Tennessee	Knoxville	Women's Prosperity Network Knoxville (Recurring Meetup Series)	Women Entrepreneurs Referral & Resource Network - Knoxville	Virtual	This recurring online community looks useful for women entrepreneurs who want referrals, visibility support, and practical education that can help grow a business over time.
Tennessee	Memphis	Develop HER Women's Summit	Junior League of Memphis	In-person	This summit looks like a solid choice for women who want a full day of empowerment, connection, and practical encouragement for both personal and professional growth.
Tennessee	Memphis	Women & Business 2026 - The Daily Memphian	The Daily Memphian	In-person	This event looks promising for women who want a business-focused gathering with useful perspectives, local connections, and ideas they can apply to work or entrepreneurship.
Tennessee	Morristown	Encounter Women's Conference 2026	Compassion Church	In-person	This conference looks uplifting for women seeking spiritual renewal, heartfelt worship, and the encouragement that comes from gathering with other women of faith.
Tennessee	Murfreesboro	TN District UPCI Ladies Conference 2026	TN Ladies Ministry	In-person	This faith-based conference looks encouraging for women who want spiritual growth, fellowship, and time to be refreshed alongside a larger church community.
Tennessee	Nashville	Black Girls in STEAM Summit	Black Girls in STEAM	In-person	This summit looks especially important for women and girls who want representation, inspiration, and clearer pathways into science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
Tennessee	Nashville	connectHER: NETWORKING for ALL women-in-business	Collective615	In-person	This networking event looks appealing for women who want inclusive business connections, supportive conversation, and a welcoming space to meet collaborators and peers.
Tennessee	Nashville	Creative Connections with Horses - Women Without Mothers		In-person	This experience looks especially meaningful for women seeking reflection, healing, and a gentle sense of connection through horses and shared conversation.
Tennessee	Nashville	CROWNED in his glory WOMEN'S CONFERENCE		In-person	This conference looks uplifting for women who want faith-based encouragement, identity-centered teaching, and the warmth of worshipful sisterhood.
Tennessee	Nashville	Emotional Empowerment for Women: 1 Day Immersive Workshop \| Nashville, TN	Wisdom Hub - Global	In-person	This workshop looks especially appealing for women who want an emotional reset, more self-awareness, and practical support for feeling calmer and more confident.
Tennessee	Nashville	Grow Your Circle: A NAWBO Networking Event	NAWBO	In-person	This event looks valuable for women business owners who want to widen their circle, exchange referrals, and build relationships with other growth-minded professionals.
Tennessee	Nashville	Her Story: It Ain't Over: From Pain to Purpose Women's Empowerment Brunch		In-person	This brunch looks especially encouraging for women who appreciate honest storytelling, healing-centered encouragement, and a hopeful focus on purpose after hardship.
Tennessee	Nashville	MySista Circle: Healing & Empowerment Gathering for Black Women and Allies		In-person	This gathering looks especially affirming for Black women and allies who want healing conversation, community care, and a supportive environment built around empowerment.
Tennessee	Nashville	Play Like a Girl Honors 2026	Play Like a Girl	In-person	This honors event looks inspiring for women who enjoy celebrating impact, seeing strong role models recognized, and connecting with a mission-driven community.
Tennessee	Nashville	Purpose, Power & Presence: Women Leaders Session \| Nashville, TN	Wisdom Hub - Global	In-person	This workshop looks worthwhile for women who want to sharpen leadership presence, align their decisions with purpose, and leave feeling more grounded and influential.
Tennessee	Nashville	Raising Your Vibrations: Free Women's Stress & Anxiety Relief Workshop		In-person	This workshop looks especially appealing for women who want an emotional reset, more self-awareness, and practical support for feeling calmer and more confident.
Tennessee	Nashville	Renaissance Women's Summit	The Renaissance Women's Summit	In-person	This summit looks especially attractive for women building businesses because the site centers entrepreneurship, collaboration, and learning from other growth-minded founders.
Tennessee	Nashville	Skills for Women at Work: 1 Day Session in Nashville, TN		In-person	This session looks useful for women who want practical workplace tools, stronger confidence on the job, and ideas they can apply quickly.
Tennessee	Nashville	Summit Women's Conference Presented by JLN	Junior League of Nashville	In-person	This multi-event experience looks rewarding for women who want inspiring speakers, meaningful connections, and a polished leadership program rooted in community impact.
Tennessee	Nashville	Wine, Women & Wisdom Wealth Summit	Nashville Business Incubation Center	In-person	This summit looks enjoyable for women who want wealth-minded conversation, fresh perspective, and a community atmosphere that makes big topics feel approachable.
Tennessee	Nashville	Women Entrepreneurs Referral & Resource Network Nashville (Recurring Meetup Series)	Women Entrepreneurs Referral & Resource Network Nashville	Virtual	This group looks useful for women entrepreneurs who want referrals, practical resources, and an ongoing community focused on growth and collaboration.
Tennessee	Nashville	Women in HarmonyÂ® Summit 2026	National Museum of African American Music	In-person	This summit looks appealing for women who want inspiration, connection, and a supportive environment that encourages both inner growth and stronger community.
Tennessee	Nashville	Women In Music Showcase: Voices That Lead		In-person	This showcase looks enjoyable for women who want to support female artists, celebrate creative leadership, and experience the energy of women leading through music.
Tennessee	Nashville	Women's Behavioral Healthcare Networking Tea Time		In-person	This niche networking event looks useful for women in behavioral healthcare who want warm peer connection, industry conversation, and relationship-building in a smaller setting.
Tennessee	Nashville	Women's Leadership Forum 2026	Lifeway	In-person	This forum looks valuable for women who want to strengthen both their leadership skills and their spiritual foundation while learning alongside peers in ministry and the workplace.
Tennessee	Nashville	Workplace Menopause - 8 Hour Intensive Workshop in Nashville, TN		In-person	This workshop looks especially helpful for women who want practical, candid guidance on menopause in the workplace and more confidence navigating a topic that is often overlooked.
Tennessee	Nashville	Women + AI Summit	Women + AI Summit	In-person	Women exploring AI leadership can gain an interdisciplinary entry point with big-picture conversation, learning, and community.
Tennessee	Nashville	Women, Influence & Power in Law Conference	Law.com / Corporate Counsel / ALM	In-person	Women in law should like the senior-level room, candid career advancement discussions, and large network of peers and mentors.
Tennessee		WomenRising 2026	Tennessee Women Leaders Association	Virtual	This WomenRising event looks appealing for women who want candid senior-leader insights, actionable career advice, and energizing connections that can help them rise with more clarity and confidence.

4. Locations Served by The Women Leaders Association Conference.

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A Half-Day Memphis 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.