Redwood Coast Women's Conference

Celebrate Women. Build Community. Empower Leadership.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Historic Eagle House in Eureka

Ticket Price: $195

The inaugural Redwood Coast Women’s Conference focuses on the empowerment of women across our region to serve as leaders in the workplace and in the community, while providing learning experiences to enhance their personal well-being.

This full day event will feature both keynote speakers and workshops on leadership, wellness, financial planning, business success, and more. Attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast, lunch, and an after-event happy hour.

A conference designed by women leaders for women leaders

Developed by the Redwood Coast Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Greater Eureka Chamber, the Arcata Chamber, RISE Advising Services, and a diverse planning committee of women leaders, our goals are as follows:

Celebrate Women: Recognize and celebrate the diverse roles and contributions of women across our region

Build Community: Foster a vibrant, inclusive network for collaboration, inspiration, and mutual success

Empower Leadership: Experience and connect with local opportunities to amplify professional and personal development

You're worth the investment

At only $195 per ticket, you'll gain access to a network of other women leaders in your community, unique opportunities to reflect, learn, and gain insights on how to grow your leadership abilities, and increase your impact. Space is limited, so secure your spot soon.

schedule

Download Schedule

Registration & Networking Breakfast - 8:00 a.m.

Welcome and Keynote Address - 9:00 a.m.

Breakout Session 1 - 10:15 a.m.

Panel: Community Engagement - Insights from Women Leaders

Location: Ballroom

A panel facilitated by Natalie Arroyo, Humboldt County District 4 Supervisor. Facilitated by Natalie Arroyo. Panelists: Rochelle H. Burgess, Michelle Fuller, Carmen Elena L’Annunziata Monge, Pimm Tripp Allen, Alysia Bixler, Annalise von Borstel.

Engaging with the community takes many shapes. Effective strategies that work in rural northern California can be very unique to our culture and place. We will speak to the challenges and strengths that a diverse panel of women working and building community in both the public and private sectors bring to this topic.

Unwind to Lead Well

Location: Yoga Room

Speaker: Ali McCall

Practical tools to keep you grounded, energized, and inspired. Release tension, restore focus, and step into your role with renewed energy.

Personal Finance Principles

Location: Club House

Speakers: Kay Serotta and Trina Cardoza

Having a healthy understanding of budgeting, credit, financial terminology and basic estate planning is vital for personal success. This broad overview of best practices will be especially helpful for women as women have historically not been given basic education on managing their finances.

Visibility is Power: How to Own Your Voice and Show Up Boldly

Location: Dining Room

Speaker: Samantha Edwardes

This interactive workshop helps participants define their personal brand by exploring the foundations of voice, values and vibe. Using these insights, attendees will craft an authentic identity statement that celebrates their superpowers and strengthens their influence.

Keynote Address - 11:30 a.m.

Lunch - 12:30 p.m.

Breakout Session 2 - 1:30 p.m.

Three Keys to Constructive Conversations

Location: Ballroom

Speaker: Mary V. Gelinas

Leading is a highly relational process; and we live in highly relational worlds. The three keys we will explore interactively include (1) Self: managing your inner state; (2) Skills: participating/observing, listening carefully, speaking with clarity, conviction, AND connection; (3) Situation: considering the field of energy and information being generated within you and among others.

Panel: Leading with Soft Skills in Hard-Hat Positions

Location: Yoga Room

Facilitated by Sheri Woo, PE. Panelists: Christina Tipp and Jordan Ludtke.

As women in professions filled primarily by men, this panel of two engineers and a geologist will share stories of how we used soft skills to handle challenging and emotionally-charged situations in the field, office, and boardroom.

The Strength You Bring: Honoring Moms Re-Entering the Workforce

Location: Club House

Speaker: Kristina Hunt

Practical skills for moms returning to work: a space to honor your journey, highlight your strengths, and step forward with pride.

Empowering Women to Realize Their Dreams

Location: Dining Room

Speaker: Jean Bazemore

Dr. Jean Bazemore uses Role Play, Sociodrama and Psychodrama in workshops in Scandinavia, England and Humboldt County. She teaches these techniques in schools, teacher education programs, mental hospitals, prisons, and with law enforcement personnel, therapists, social workers and physicians.

Breakout Sessions 3 - 2:45 p.m.

Panel: Is Your "Plan" For You?

Location: Ballroom

Facilitated by Alexandra "Alex" Stillman. Panelists: Mary Keehn, Rosa Dixon, Julie Fulkerson, Meredith Maier, Gloria Baker, Elly Roversi

Come hear the stories of seven remarkable women who are groundbreakers in our community. Jumping into their future because of an idea, a suggestion or an opportunity that wasn’t part of their “plan”, they made a difference and continue to do so today.

Building Community through Collaboration

Location: Yoga Room

Speaker: Amy Bohner

When women share talents and resources, we all benefit. Advantages of collaboration include renewed inspiration, the development of new products, and expanding our reach through shared contacts and customer bases.

Speak for Success: Sharing Your Story as Your Most Confident YOU!

Location: Clubhouse

Speaker: Erin Young

Public speaking opportunities show up in numerous ways, whether we like it or not. It is also the number one phobia in the ranking of all things scary (even death!) In this session, you will learn tangible tips and tricks to help you grow through your fear and find your own unique voice.

Keynote Address 4:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks - 4:45

Reception - 5:00 p.m.

Thank you to our event sponsors

Empowerment Sponsor

Pacific Gas & Electric

Historic Eagle House • Inn at 2nd & C • Phatsy Kline’s • Tavern 1888

Humboldt Area Foundation / Wild Rivers Community Foundation

Strength Sponsors

Bear River Casino

City of Eureka

Coast Central Credit Union

Hyperion Humboldt Realty

Los Bagels

Omsberg & Preston

Redwood Capital Bank

Vineyard Offshore

Learn more about sponsorship

Community Partners

Humboldt Audiology

Humboldt Bay Harbor District

Steering Committee

Nancy Olson

Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce/Redwood Coast Chamber Foundation

Meredith Matthews

Humboldt Lodging Alliance

Kathy Thornhill

Rise Advising Services

Kristina Hunt

Rise Advising Services

Cherie Newell

Redwood Coast Chamber Foundation

Planning Committee

Celia Pimentel Khatri

NorCal Casa's Realty

Erin Young

Redwood Memorial and St. Joseph Hospital Foundation

Elizabeth Hassler

Redwood Coast Regional Center

Genevieve Serna

Humboldt County Office of Elections

Gloria Baker

Arcata Chamber of Commerce

Madison Green

City of Eureka

Maggie Peters

Humboldt County Office of Education

Mo Harper-Desir

Co-Founder of Black Humboldt/City of Arcata

Natalie Arroyo

County of Humboldt

Pamela Dressler

Cypress Grove Cheese

Rebecca Rex

Historic Eagle House

Celebrate Women. Build Community. Empower Leadership.

A conference designed by women leaders for women leaders

You're worth the investment

schedule

Thank you to our event sponsors

Steering Committee

Planning Committee

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