Phoenix WomenRising Spring 2026

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

May 11, 2026, 2026, 11 am - 2 pm Mountain | 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

11:00 AM

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

Erin Baber-Sherwood

HR Response Partner Paychex

11:30 AM

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

12:15 PM

Keynote: Hacking Your Brain for Health and Happiness.

Mona Raju

Manager Global Learning & Development Nissan

12:45 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
Arizona	Chandler	Women Empowerment Workshop	Pariah Divas SC	In-person	This workshop looks especially appealing to women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, thanks to hands-on guidance, practical takeaways, and an interactive atmosphere.
Arizona	Chandler	Women's Empowerment Luncheon	City of Chandler	In-person	The site suggests this luncheon could be a strong fit for women who enjoy uplifting community celebrations, with an uplifting atmosphere, good conversation, and accessible networking.
Arizona	Cottonwood	Relax & Reconnect Women's Retreat in Cottonwood Arizona	Phoenix Coaching - Erica Jones	In-person	This retreat looks especially appealing to women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, thanks to space to recharge, deeper reflection, and meaningful connection.
Arizona	Maricopa	AZWIN 2026 Conference	Arizona Women's Initiative Network	In-person	This conference looks especially appealing to women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, thanks to speaker insight, business-minded networking, and practical takeaways.
Arizona	Mesa	2026 Women's Success Summit - SHIFT: The CEO Advantage	eWomenNetwork	In-person	This summit looks especially appealing to women entrepreneurs and business builders, thanks to big-picture inspiration, business-minded networking, and actionable ideas.
Arizona	Multiple Cities	2026 WGR-AZ Meet-Up Schedule	Women Grow Arizona	In-person	This networking event appears worthwhile for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, blending approachable conversations, new relationships, and community connections.
Arizona	Payson	RISE 3rd Annual Women's Empowerment Retreat	RISE	In-person	The site suggests this retreat could be a strong fit for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, with space to recharge, deeper reflection, and meaningful connection.
Arizona	Phoenix	2026 Wellness, Wealth, & Winning Conference	TGU Powered by the TallGirlsUnitedFund501c3	In-person	This conference stands out as a positive option for women building financial confidence and long-term security, offering money-minded encouragement, wellbeing support, and high-energy empowerment.
Arizona	Phoenix	Arizona Women Shape History: Arizona Women at Work	Arizona Women's History Alliance	In-person	This event looks especially appealing to women who value storytelling, culture, and recognition, thanks to recognition of women's contributions, thought-provoking history, and meaningful conversation.
Arizona	Phoenix	AZ Women's Expo Beauty + Fashion + Pop Up Shops, Celebs, April 25-26	Ultimate Women's Expo	In-person	The site suggests this expo could be a strong fit for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, with vendors and resources, fresh inspiration, and a lively atmosphere.
Arizona	Phoenix	Catholic Women of Phoenix Conference 2026	Catholic Women of Phoenix Conference	In-person	This conference stands out as a positive option for women seeking faith-centered encouragement, offering spiritual encouragement, shared faith and sisterhood, and renewing perspective.
Arizona	Phoenix	GIRL TALK PHX // Phoenix Local Women Entrepreneurs Mixer	Girl Talk Phoenix Entrepreneurs	In-person	This networking event looks especially appealing to women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, thanks to approachable conversations, new relationships, and community connections.
Arizona	Phoenix	KNOW Summit 2026	KNOW Women	In-person	This summit stands out as a positive option for women entrepreneurs and business builders, offering high-visibility networking, inspiring stories from ambitious women, and useful professional momentum.
Arizona	Phoenix	Phoenix Business Journal Outstanding Women in Business Awards 2026	Phoenix Business Journal	In-person	The Phoenix event appears appealing for women who enjoy seeing accomplished Arizona leaders recognized in a formal setting that feels celebratory and professionally energizing.
Arizona	Phoenix	Professional Women's Leadership Summit	Greater Phoenix Chamber	In-person	The site suggests this summit could be a strong fit for women entrepreneurs and business builders, with leadership insight, business-minded networking, and ideas women can apply at work and in their communities.
Arizona	Phoenix	Strategic & Enterprise Leadership for Women - 8 Hours \| Phoenix, AZ	Wisdom Hub - Global	In-person	This event looks especially appealing to women growing into stronger leadership roles, thanks to leadership insight, new connections, and fresh ideas.
Arizona	Phoenix	Women to KNOW Award Dinner & Gala	KNOW Women	In-person	This gala looks especially appealing to women entrepreneurs and business builders, thanks to celebration of women's achievements, polished networking, and inspiring stories.
Arizona	Phoenix	Women's Private Equity Summit	With Intelligence	In-person	Senior women in private equity can gain high-level market insight, fundraising conversations, and relationship-building with decision-makers.
Arizona	Scottsdale	2026 Elevating Women - The Women's Collective	The Women's Collective	In-person	This event appears worthwhile for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, blending visible inspiration, high-energy networking, and confidence-building ideas.
Arizona	Scottsdale	Brave Enough Women's CME Conference 2026: A Decade of Empowerment and Sisterhood	Brave Enough / Women in Medicine	In-person	This conference appears worthwhile for women in medicine, blending speaker insight, peer networking, and practical takeaways.
Arizona	Scottsdale	Celebrating International Women's Day - Designed. Not Defined.	Fast Forward Movement Arizona	In-person	This event stands out as a positive option for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, offering encouragement, new connections, and fresh ideas.
Arizona	Scottsdale	Fresh Start's Annual Gala	Fresh Start Women's Foundation	In-person	This gala looks especially appealing to women who enjoy uplifting community celebrations, thanks to celebration of women's achievements, polished networking, and inspiring stories.
Arizona	Scottsdale	Multifamily Women 7th Annual Summit	Multifamily Women	In-person	This summit stands out as a positive option for women in multifamily and apartment-industry roles, offering apartment-industry insight, specialized networking, and ideas women can use in the field.
Arizona	Scottsdale	Scottsdale 4th Annual Women's Day Out Expo	National Event Production Company	In-person	This expo looks especially appealing to women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, thanks to vendors and resources, fresh inspiration, and a lively atmosphere.
Arizona	Scottsdale	Scottsdale Bible Church Women's Conference 2026	Scottsdale Bible Church	In-person	The site suggests this conference could be a strong fit for women seeking faith-centered encouragement, with spiritual encouragement, shared faith and sisterhood, and renewing perspective.
Arizona	Scottsdale	Sports ETA Women's Summit	Sports ETA	In-person	This summit appears worthwhile for women in sports-events and tourism careers, blending industry insight, peer networking, and leadership perspective for sports-events work.
Arizona	Scottsdale	Women's Multicultural Leadership & Impact Summit	iNET Alliance	In-person	This summit looks especially appealing to women drawn to advocacy, solidarity, and mission-driven conversation, thanks to solidarity, purpose-driven dialogue, and community connection.
Arizona	Sedona	Comfort Zone Retreats Sedona Retreat 2026	Comfort Zone Retreats	In-person	The site suggests this retreat could be a strong fit for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, with space to recharge, deeper reflection, and meaningful connection.
Arizona	Sedona	Power of the Pause: Sedona Retreat 2026	Retreats with Jennifer	In-person	This retreat appears worthwhile for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, blending space to recharge, deeper reflection, and meaningful connection.
Arizona	Sedona	Sedona Women's Retreat 2026	MSE Racing	In-person	This retreat stands out as a positive option for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, offering space to recharge, deeper reflection, and meaningful connection.
Arizona	Sedona	Women's Group Retreat: Accessing the Divine Feminine	SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats	In-person	This retreat looks especially appealing to women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, thanks to inner-confidence work, personal reflection, and a supportive women-centered space.
Arizona	Sun City	Women's Workshop: Reclaim Your Feminine Power, Voice & Radiance	Transcend Sound Healing	In-person	The site suggests this workshop could be a strong fit for women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, with inner-confidence work, personal reflection, and a supportive women-centered space.
Arizona	Tempe	2026 Women Who Lead Summit	First Page	Both	This summit looks especially appealing to women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, thanks to big-picture inspiration, strong networking, and actionable ideas.
Arizona	Tempe	Girls Change The World Summit - Young Women's Summit	Girls Rule Foundation	In-person	This summit looks especially appealing to girls and young women building confidence and voice, thanks to confidence-building encouragement, leadership inspiration, and positive role models.
Arizona	Tucson	Feminist Symposium: Academic Freedom and Acts of Resistance	University of Arizona Women and Gender Studies / Franke Honors	In-person	This symposium appears worthwhile for women drawn to advocacy, solidarity, and mission-driven conversation, blending solidarity, purpose-driven dialogue, and community connection.
Arizona	Tucson	Tucson 26th Annual Women's Day Out Expo	SEI, Inc.	In-person	This expo looks especially appealing to women looking for connection, encouragement, and fresh ideas, thanks to vendors and resources, fresh inspiration, and a lively atmosphere.
Arizona	Tucson	WIM USA National Conference 2026	Women in Mining USA	In-person	This conference appears worthwhile for women in mining and related industries, blending sector-specific insight, career-minded networking, and encouragement from women in the industry.
Arizona	Tucson	YWCA of Southern Arizona Women's Leadership Conference 2026	YWCA of Southern Arizona	In-person	This conference looks especially appealing to women growing into stronger leadership roles, thanks to leadership insight, peer networking, and ideas women can apply at work and in their communities.
Arizona	Virtual	Arizona Women Leaders Association WomenRising 2026 - A Half-Day Leadership Conference	Arizona Women Leaders Association	Virtual	The site suggests this conference could be a strong fit for women growing into stronger leadership roles, with leadership insight, peer networking, and ideas women can apply at work and in their communities.
Arizona	Virtual	Her Wealth, Her Legacy: Women's Financial Empowerment Workshop	Phoenix Empowerment	Virtual	This workshop stands out as a positive option for women building financial confidence and long-term security, offering money confidence, practical financial perspective, and encouraging peer conversation.
Arizona	Virtual	Phoenix Women Leaders Association WomenRising 2026 - A Half-Day Leadership Conference	Phoenix Women Leaders Association	Virtual	This conference looks especially appealing to women growing into stronger leadership roles, thanks to leadership insight, peer networking, and ideas women can apply at work and in their communities.
Arizona	Virtual	Tucson Women Leaders Association WomenRising 2026 - A Half-Day Leadership Conference	Tucson Women Leaders Association	Virtual	This conference looks especially appealing to women growing into stronger leadership roles, thanks to leadership insight, peer networking, and ideas women can apply at work and in their communities.
Arizona		Arizona Women in Higher Education Annual Conference	Arizona Women in Higher Education	In-person	This conference looks especially appealing to women in higher education, thanks to academic leadership insight, peer exchange, and practical career perspective.

4. Locations Served by The Women Leaders Association Conference.

yyyy

A Half-Day Phoenix 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.