Women of Inspiration Summit Experience (WISE)
The Women of Inspiration Summit Experience (WISE) is one of Central Ohio's premier gatherings for women seeking connection, growth, inspiration, and community.
Hosted annually by the CYP Club, WISE is a retreat-style leadership and personal growth experience designed to help women and allies reconnect with their purpose, strengthen meaningful relationships, and move forward with renewed clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
Time: 8:00am-1:30pm
Location: Power Plant, 589 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215
Through authentic stories, interactive experiences, intentional networking, and opportunities for reflection, attendees are invited to pause, recharge, and reconnect with themselves and others.
Agenda
Arrival Experience (8:00-8:45 AM)
Breakfast, coffee, networking, WISE Reflection Card, Wisdom Wall, Photo Wall, sponsor activations, intention-setting activities and more!
Welcome & Intention Setting (8:45–9:00 AM)
Opening remarks from the WISE Host Committee and introduction to the day's journey.
Inspiration Chat Storytelling Session (9:00 AM–10:50 AM)
Inspiration Chat #1 featuring Sophia Fifner, Creator of The Neighboring Gap™ and President & CEO at Columbus Metropolitan Club (9:00-9:25 AM)
Inspiration Chat #2 featuring Dr. Tanya Mathew, Visionary FourSight®Integrator and OSU Faculty (9:30-9:55 AM)
Inspiration Chat #3 featuring Debbie Penzone, President + CEO at Charles Penzone, Inc. (10:00-10:25 AM)
Coffee, Connection & Reflection Break (10:25–10:45 AM)
Wellness Reset (10:45–10:50 AM)
Choose Your Summit Journey: Breakouts (10:50-11:30 AM) - Attendees will be able to select from one larger breakout session or two smaller “breakout huddles” as they arrive, including:
Grow: Garden Theory Career Framework with Dilara Casey (main room) - Navigate change, embrace opportunity, and continue learning.
Thrive: Working Moms Resource Huddle and Connection session facilitated by Laura Klarich and Rachel Will - Group discussion on community resources & finding Working Mom peers and advocates
Lead: Running Your Biz without Running Yourself into the Ground - Small group roundtable with local business owners & operators Bailey Hanley, Jamie Cardenas, Krista Stauffer, and Ariana Ulloa-Olavarrieta
Choose Your Summit Journey: Breakouts (11:40 AM-12:20 PM) - Attendees will be able to select from one larger breakout session or two smaller “breakout huddles” as they arrive.
Grow: My Current Self vs. My Future Self Panel Discussion featuring Christina Vera, Maylin Sambois, Amy McDermott, and Steve McEnery (main room)
Thrive: Wellness Alignment session with Annette Reyes - Explore wellbeing, resilience, balance, and sustainable success.
Lead: Roundtable on Quiet Leadership & Assertive Communication with MJ Clark - You don't have to be loud to be assertive. This session is for anyone who wants to strengthen their voice, confidence, and influence without abandoning who they are.
Lunch & Legacy Conversation (12:35-1:15 PM) - A moderated conversation with past WISE speakers, honorees, and community leaders reflecting on leadership, purpose, and impact featuring:
Christina Vera - Associate Executive Director of Femergy®
Debbie Penzone - President + CEO at Charles Penzone, Inc.
Maylin Sambois - Co-Founder/Executive Director at Femergy® Ohio
Sarah Barr (moderator) - Director of Philanthropy at Pilot Dogs
Shirley Ellis - Chief Executive Officer at Intentional Impact
The WISE Commitment (1:15-1:25 PM)
Attendees complete a 90-day commitment card that will be mailed back to them after the summit.
Closing Remarks & Farewell (1:25-1:30 PM)
What to Expect at WISE:
Arrival Experience
Begin your day with breakfast, coffee, reflection activities, intention-setting opportunities, and meaningful conversations designed to help you connect with fellow attendees from the moment you arrive. Rather than simply checking in, you'll be invited to slow down, reflect, and prepare for a day of growth and connection.
Inspiration Chats
Hear from a curated lineup of leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers as they share authentic stories about pivotal moments, lessons learned, personal growth, resilience, and purpose. These TED-style talks are designed to inspire, encourage, and remind us that leadership journeys are rarely linear.
Choose Your Summit Journey
Select the breakout experience that best aligns with your current season of life and leadership through one of three pathways:
Lead – Build confidence, influence, and leadership presence.
Grow – Embrace learning, navigate change, and invest in your personal and professional development.
Thrive – Explore wellbeing, resilience, balance, and sustainable success.
Lunch & Legacy Conversation
Connect with fellow attendees over lunch while hearing from past speakers, honorees, and community leaders who have helped shape the WISE experience over the years. This special conversation will celebrate the stories, relationships, and impact that have defined WISE since its founding.
The WISE Commitment
Close the day with a meaningful reflection activity designed to help you identify one action, goal, or commitment you'll carry forward long after the summit concludes. Because inspiration is most powerful when it leads to action.
Who Should Attend?
WISE welcomes women and allies from all industries, backgrounds, and stages of life, including:
Emerging professionals
Entrepreneurs and business owners
Managers and executives
Nonprofit and community leaders
Educators and advocates
Anyone seeking inspiration, connection, growth, and purpose
Whether you're looking to expand your network, strengthen your leadership skills, gain fresh perspective, or simply invest in yourself, WISE offers a supportive and welcoming environment to do just that.
Registration & Pricing:
Early-Bird Registration (through July 9)
$30 General Admission
$25 CYPremium Members
Standard Registration (beginning July 10)
$50 General Admission
$40 CYPremium Members
Your registration includes:
Light breakfast and coffee
Lunch
All summit programming
Breakout experiences
Networking opportunities
Reflection materials and activities
Giveaways and sponsor experiences
WISE 2026 is made possible through the support of organizations committed to advancing leadership, connection, personal growth, and opportunities for women across Central Ohio.
Thank you to our 2026 Summit Partners:
Crafted For You Hospitality
CYP Club Cares
Dress for Success Columbus
Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy (ELLA)
Femergy
Junior League of Columbus
Netcare Access
WISE isn't designed to overwhelm you with information. It's designed to leave you feeling energized, connected, inspired, and equipped for whatever comes next.
Join women from across Central Ohio for a morning of reflection, renewal, leadership development, and meaningful connection at WISE 2026. We look forward to welcoming you on July 24th.
Speakers, breakout sessions, and additional experiences will be announced in the coming weeks. Event details are subject to change.