The Women of Inspiration Summit Experience (WISE) is one of Central Ohio's premier gatherings for women seeking connection, growth, inspiration, and community. Hosted by the CYP Club, WISE brings together hundreds of attendees for a high-energy experience featuring influential speakers, leadership conversations, professional development workshops, wellness and self-care activities, networking opportunities, and powerful stories from women making an impact across our region.

From emerging professionals to seasoned executives, WISE creates space for attendees to learn, lead, and be inspired while building meaningful relationships that extend far beyond the event itself.

Join us at our next summit!

Fri, July 24, 2026 • 8am-1pm • Power Plant (Downtown Columbus)

Register to Attend

View Agendas from Past Summits:

Fall 2025 • Summer 2025 • Spring 2025 • Winter 2025 • Fall 2024 • Summer 2024

Spring 2024 • Winter 2024 • Fall 2023 • Summer 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019

Past WISE Honorees, Guest Speakers & Panelists

Dr. Lisa Courtice

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2025
President and CEO at United Way of Central Ohio
Tasha Booker

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2025
CEO at Action for Children
Monica Tellez-Fowler

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2024
President and CEO at COTA
Lourdes Barroso de Padilla

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2024
Columbus City Councilmember
Habiba Bankston

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2023
Executive Director at Dress for Success Columbus
Paula Haines

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2023
Chief Executive Officer at Freedom a la Cart
Dr. Amy Acton

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2022
President & CEO at RAPID 5
Stephanie Hightower

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2022
President and CEO at the Columbus Urban League
Priscilla Tyson

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2021
Columbus City Councilmember
Dr. Valerie Mayuga

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2021
Attending Physician at OMNI Health Care
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
Trudy Bartley

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2020
Associate Vice President Local Government & Community Relations at The Ohio State University
Debra Penzone

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2019
President & CEO at Penzone Salons and Spas
Janelle N. Coleman

Woman of Inspiration Honoree 2019
Vice President, Community Engagement, Diversity Inclusion and President, AEP Foundation
Guest Speakers & Panelists

Thank you to all our extraordinary guest speakers & panelists
Adi Redzic

CEO, Life and Executive Coach at Think Change
Alison Marker

President + CEO at Marker Construction
Alyssa Rodriguez

Education Specialist at Oklahoma Aquarium
Barb Smoot

President & CEO at WELD
Bill Nolan

Managing Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Caroline Bennett

CEO at Caroline Inspires LLC, Educator, Artist, Community Activist
Casey Doherty

Vice President at YP Streeterville
Cevannah Scott

Senior Associate Cybersecurity Analyst at Discover Financial Services
Christina Long

Owner at CML Collective LLC
Cioré Taylor

Director of Entrepreneurial Development and Education at TEDC Creative Capital
Crystal Boyce

Owner/Artistic Director at Leap of Faith Dance Studio
Elle Petrillo

Founding Member and Director of Sales at Brand Builders Group
Hannah Demuth

Owner at High Vibrations Coaching
Helen Yee

Owner of the American Institute of Alternative Medicine
Jen Piela Timmons

Owner at Dalai Mama Yoga
John Graham

CEO at BrewDog USA
Jordyn Dunlap

CEO at Daily Abiding Media Co.
Juatise Gathings

Regional Operations Manager at Discover
Julie Wilkes

Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Kara Hunt

Vice President of Human Resources for Delta Dental of Kansas
Karen Hough

Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge
Karen Keith

Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2
Karen Landino

Office & Event Coordinator at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Katy Smith

Business Editor at The Columbus Dispatch
Kay Wilson

Author, Business Strategist, Youth Advocate
Kelly Atkinson

Director of Business Systems at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Dr. Kelly Renner

Assistant Dean, Curriculum and Program Chair, Psychology & Social Sciences at Franklin University
Khalil Berryhill

Central Regional Director at ACE Mentor Program of America
Kim Doze-Lohmann

Director of Marketing at Martin, Pringle, Oliver, Wallace & Bauer, LLP
Kris Cannon-Jackson

HR Consultant & Expert Facilitator at ConsultHR
Kristin Giddings

Communications Manager at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Kristin Harper

CEO at Driven to Succeed
Liesl Drought

CEO at Liesl Coaching
Linda Shetina Logan

Executive Director for the Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Lisa Hinson

President and Founder of Hinson Ltd Public Relations
Mary B. Relotto

Creator of Thrive Ohio
Michelle Heritage

CEO at the Community Shelter Board
Nichole Barnes Marshall

Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at L Brands
Nichole Dunn

President and CEO at Flying Horse Farms
Nicole Britenriker

Senior Team Talent Advisor at the National Basketball Association (NBA)
Niyah Walters, Esq.

In-House Counsel and Legal Analyst at Columbus City Council
Page Thorson

CEO at Benchmark Biodiesel
Perla Martinez

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Administrator at Franklin County Board of Commissioners
Rachel Brooks

Host of The Confident Woman Podcast
Rachel Kerr

Owner of The Beauty Boost
Rene Delane

CEO & Founder of Women Who Dare
Rita Fuller-Yates

Lifestyle Expert and Media Personality
Sarah Lopez

County Commissioner for Sedgwick County's District 2
Shannon Ginther

Chair of the Columbus Women's Commission
Sophia Fifner

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Columbus Metropolitan Club (CMC)
Susie Bodnar

Vice President/Secretary at CSCMP Chicago Roundtable
Tamar Marable

Artistry Owner at Tamar Israel, Professional Makeup Artist
Tammy Wharton

President & CEO of the Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
Dr. V. Kaye Monk-Morgan

Vice President, Strategic Engagement and Planning at Wichita State University
Yolanda Owens

Chief Cultivator at Forage + Black