Community Call: Turning Your Journey Into Influence
Turning Your Journey Into Influence: Storytelling for Leaders, Creators, and Entrepreneurs
Hosted by Kristy Mandour
Sponsored by Sow to Speak
You’ve built something real: a career, a business, a body of work, a reputation. When it’s time to translate who you are into how you show up, whether in a room, on a call, on camera, or online, it can feel like a completely different skill set than the one that got you here.
We either give people the entire autobiography, perfect the interesting parts until they barely sound like us, or assume our work should speak for itself.
This community call is about finding the space in between.
Kristy Mandour, founder of Sow to Speak, will show you how to identify the experiences, ideas, and through-lines that have shaped your work, and use them to help people understand what you do, what you stand for, and why your perspective matters.
Whether you’re building a business, growing into leadership, developing a creative platform, or simply doing great work that not enough people know about yet, this session will help you tell your story with greater clarity, intention, and influence.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, October 7th, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM EST
Location: Zoom
Cost
CNYWN Collective Members: Free
CNYWN Community: $20
What You'll Learn
In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to:
→ Find the through-line in your story so you can clearly communicate what has shaped your perspective, work, and leadership.
→ Choose the right stories for the right audience instead of overexplaining, oversharing, or trying to squeeze your entire journey into one introduction.
→ Turn experience into influence by connecting what you’ve lived and learned to the value you bring today.
Call Itinerary (90 Minutes Total)
12:00 – 12:30 PM | Masterclass with Kristy Mandour
An interactive session focused on the strategy behind personal brand storytelling, how to show up with clarity and confidence in person and online, and how to turn your journey into real influence.
12:30 – 1:00 PM | Breakout Sessions
Our Origin Story + Story to Strategy
You’ll reflect on a defining moment or turning point that shaped your work today, then connect that experience to a story your ideal client, employer, or audience needs to hear. You’ll identify the through-line in your journey and explore how to turn that story into a strategic next step.
1:00 – 1:30 PM | Open Networking + Community Support
An open space to stay connected, continue conversations, ask questions, and build relationships within the community.
About Your Speaker
Kristy Mandour, Founder of Sow to Speak, is a communication coach and seasoned public speaker who helps high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs speak with confidence, navigate high-stakes moments with clarity, and quiet the inner critic that makes selling feel so hard.
An ICF-certified coach, Kristy holds a Bachelor of Science from the Roy H. Park School of Communication at Ithaca College, a Master of Arts from Emerson College, and studied performance at the Stella Adler School of Acting and The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. She combines decades of expertise in human dynamics with performance-art training to create a coaching approach that blends presence, storytelling, and emotional intelligence — helping you show up as your most authentic, effective self in every conversation.
As a writer, speaker, and host of The Sow to Speak Podcast, Kristy's approachable yet authoritative style inspires leaders to step confidently into their influence without sacrificing their humanity.
SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT
Communicate with more clarity, confidence, and authority, without sounding like someone you’re not.
Tuesday, October 20 | 1:00 PM ET
Live Masterclass | $37
with Kristy Mandour, Founder of Sow to Speak
You know what you want to say…and then you start talking.
You add three more sentences. Soften the ask. Explain the explanation. Or walk away thinking, Why didn’t I just say what I meant??
If you’re good at what you do but sometimes lose your footing when the stakes (or the personalities) get higher, this masterclass is for you.
We’ll get underneath why you overexplain, soften and second-guess yourself, and give you practical ways to communicate more clearly without becoming more robotic, scripted, or stiff.
You’ll learn how to:
→ Get clear on what you actually want someone to hear
→ Stop adding language that weakens your message
→ Stay steadier when you can’t control how someone responds
→ Speak with greater authority while still sounding like yourself
Strong communication is about trusting yourself enough to say it like you mean it.
$37 | Live on Tuesday, October 20 at 1:00 PM ET
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Partner with us on a future Community Call! To learn more, contact partnerships@cnywomensnetwork.com.
The Collective by CNYWN is a private membership community for women who live, work, and lead in Upstate New York. We create intentional experiences — like this one — where relationships are built, ideas are exchanged, and opportunities are created.
Curious about joining? Explore our membership options here!
By registering for this event, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
Event Participation: Your registration confirms your participation in the event. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Code of Conduct: All attendees are expected to behave in a professional and respectful manner. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior may result in removal from the event without a refund.
Liability Waiver: By attending the event, you assume all risks associated with participation, including but not limited to personal injury or loss of personal property. The event organizers are not liable for any damages or injuries incurred.
Media Release: The event may be photographed and/or recorded. By attending, you consent to the use of your image and likeness in promotional materials and publications.
Privacy Policy: Your personal information will be used solely for event-related purposes and will not be shared with third parties without your consent.
Health and Safety: Attendees must comply with all health and safety guidelines as stipulated by the event organizers and venue.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation 🩷