New York WomenRising Spring 2026

A Half-Day NY 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!

Get Early Bird Tickets Meet the Speakers

00 Days

00 Hours

00 Minutes

00 Seconds

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

🔥

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.

🌟

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

🧘‍♀️

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?

✅

Top-tier women leaders sharing candid stories and actionable advice

✅

Zero fluff—only real talk from women who've been there

✅

Network digitally with like-minded, driven professionals

✅

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.

State	Event City	Women's Leadership and Empowerment Conference Name	Planning Organization	Format	Review
New York	New York	2026 ACG NY 13th Annual Women of Leadership Summit	ACG New York	In-person	This summit looks especially valuable for women in finance and dealmaking who want curated one-on-one meetings, interactive workshops, and a high-level national network.
New York	New York	2026 Well Defined Women In Leadership Summit NYC	WellDefined.com	In-person	This summit appears especially valuable for women who want practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	97th Global Conference on Women in Business and Leadership (GCWBL)		In-person	This conference should appeal to women looking for practical leadership insight, business-growth ideas and professional perspective, and actionable takeaways.
New York	New York	Career Skills for Women: 1 Day Training Program \| New York, NY		In-person	This training looks like a strong fit for women seeking practical professional-development tools, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Crain's 2026 Women of Influence Luncheon	Crain's New York Business	In-person	The luncheon looks especially valuable for women who want to hear from accomplished New York leaders, discover rising stars, and connect with organizations actively advancing women at work.
New York	New York	Dress for Success GNYC - Women in the Workplace	Dress for Success Greater New York City	Both	This community looks especially helpful for women who want structured workforce-development learning, peer accountability, and a supportive network for career growth.
New York	New York	Emotional Empowerment for Women: 1 Day Workshop in New York City, NY		In-person	This workshop appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Femmes in the Garden: A Tea Party for Women in NYC		In-person	This tea gathering looks like a strong fit for women seeking meaningful peer connection, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Her Future Summit (8th Annual Edition)		Virtual	This summit appears especially valuable for women who want high-level ideas, strong networking potential, and motivating leadership energy in a convenient virtual format.
New York	New York	Inspired Women Leadership Conference [NYC]		In-person	This conference should appeal to women looking for practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Leading Effective Teams for Women - 1 Day Session in New York, NY		In-person	Women attending could gain practical professional-development tools, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere at this session.
New York	New York	National Muslim Women's Summit \| MALIKAH		In-person	This summit looks like a strong fit for women seeking purpose-driven conversation and empowerment, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	New York AI 2030 - Responsible AI, AI for Good and AI for All	New York AI 2030	Both	This group looks great for women in AI who want responsible-tech discussion, mission-driven networking, and visibility within an inclusive leadership community.
New York	New York	New York 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.
New York	New York	NextGen Women Rise Conference: Inspire. Sustain. Empower. (R.I.S.E)	i-DIAS Conferences	In-person	This conference appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	NextGen Women: Leading with Purpose and Power Summit 2026	WYN Conferences	In-person	This summit looks like a strong fit for women seeking confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Nexus Women's Leadership Conference		In-person	This conference looks like a strong fit for women seeking practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Paradigm Shift - New York City's Feminist Community	Paradigm Shift NYC	In-person	This event should appeal to women looking for purpose-driven conversation and empowerment, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Public Speaking for Women Leaders - 1 Day Training in New York, NY		In-person	Women attending could gain practical leadership insight, practical professional-development tools, and actionable takeaways at this training.
New York	New York	Something Major Power Lunch NYC: A Women's Leadership Networking Lunch		In-person	This networking event looks like a strong fit for women seeking practical leadership insight, meaningful peer connection, and confidence-building encouragement.
New York	New York	Spark Up The Dream 4th annual Women's Empowerment Project		In-person	Women attending could gain confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere at this event.
New York	New York	The 7th Annual Step-By-Step Women of Color Entrepreneurs Conference		In-person	This conference looks like a strong fit for women seeking purpose-driven conversation and empowerment, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	The Leader's Legacy: 1-Day Women Front Runners Workshop \| New York City, NY		In-person	Women attending could gain practical leadership insight, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere at this workshop.
New York	New York	The Power of HER: Women's Empowerment Conference in NYC		In-person	This conference appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Unapologetically Ambitious Business Women - New York	Unapologetically Ambitious Business Women - New York	Both	This community looks ideal for ambitious women who want bold networking, skill-building workshops, and a supportive circle for business growth and collaboration.
New York	New York	UWIB Presents: From Setbacks to Success: Women and Resilience 2026		In-person	This event appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Winning Women NYC Conference	Young Ambitious One; HuCapital	In-person	This conference appears especially valuable for women who want confidence-building encouragement, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Women Advisor Summit	Women Advisor Summit	In-person	This summit looks especially useful for women financial advisors who want best-practice sharing, industry networking, and ideas to grow their influence and careers.
New York	New York	Women in Digital Assets Forum 2026		In-person	Women attending could gain resource discovery and broad exposure to new ideas, current tech insight and future-facing conversation, and actionable takeaways at this forum.
New York	New York	Women in Insurance Summit New York	Women in Insurance Summit New York	In-person	This summit appears especially valuable for women who want business-growth ideas and professional perspective, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Women in Tech New York City - OutGeekWomen		In-person	This event should appeal to women looking for current tech insight and future-facing conversation, actionable takeaways, and a supportive atmosphere.
New York	New York	Women's Leadership Summit - USA 2026	Evnoia Group	In-person	This summit looks strong for women seeking large-scale leadership inspiration, authentic-leadership insight, and broad networking across business, coaching, and research communities.
New York	New York	Forbes Power Women's Summit	Forbes	Both	This summit looks especially strong for women who want big-brand convening, cross-industry executive insight, and both in-person energy and virtual reach.
New York	New York	Tech Up For Women Conference 2026	Tech Up For Women	In-person	This event is appealing for women who want approachable tech upskilling, practical career advice, and confidence-building digital fluency.
New York	Rochester	Rochester Business Journal Women's Leadership Summit 2026	Rochester Business Journal	In-person	The summit looks strong for women at any career stage because it emphasizes learning, conversation, career development, and networking in one extended afternoon.
New York	Virtual	Discover What You Want to Do for A Career	Dress for Success GNYC - Women in the Workplace	Virtual	This session looks useful for women who want career clarity, practical self-assessment, and supportive encouragement as they map next steps.
New York	Virtual	Essential Skills: Collaboration and Teamwork	Dress for Success GNYC - Women in the Workplace	Virtual	This workshop looks useful for women who want stronger teamwork habits, clearer communication, and more confidence contributing in professional settings.
New York	Virtual	How to Feel Less Stressed	Dress for Success GNYC - Women in the Workplace	Virtual	This session looks helpful for women seeking simple stress-management tools, emotional balance, and practical ways to feel calmer and more in control.
New York	Virtual	Re-Entering the Workforce	Dress for Success GNYC - Women in the Workplace	Virtual	This workshop looks valuable for women returning to work who want renewed confidence, better language around employment gaps, and concrete next steps.
New York	Virtual	WomenRising 2026 - New York Women Leaders Association	New York 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.
New York	Woodbury	Long Island Business News Top 50 Women in Business 2026	Long Island Business News	In-person	This long-running program is especially appealing for women who appreciate recognition that values business acumen, mentoring, and community involvement all at once.

4. Locations Served by The Women Leaders Association Conference.

yyyy

A Half-Day NY 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.