The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Women’s Leadership Summit at The Greenbrier on March 25th & 26th. Organizers say their goal is simple – get women excited about their roles in leadership.
The summit, now in its 9th year, brings executives, community leaders, and students together to celebrate their strengths as women. This year’s theme echoed throughout the event: Leading Without Limits.
“I think women love to hear from other women. They come here, they’re inspired, they’re energized,” said Kathy Thomas, Vice President & CFO of the WV Chamber of Commerce. “They leave after two days just feeling great and feeling like they can go out and conquer anything.”
Thomas says the attendance record breaks every year of the event, and she hopes the message every woman takes home is the same whether she’s a CEO or a college freshman: “I hope that women walk away knowing that there are no limits. They could achieve anything. Set your sights high and go for it.”
Among this year’s speakers is Jennie Reynolds, Medicaid President of the East Region for Wellpoint West Virginia, who grew up in McDowell County. She says this year’s theme rings especially true for her.
“I grew up in poverty, and if you ask anybody, I don’t belong where I am now professionally. That’s because I wouldn’t accept any limits and I wouldn’t accept no for an answer,” said Reynolds. “So having the opportunity to come back and speak and work with a lot of women that are finding those opportunities and not limiting themselves is just an absolute privilege.”
Reynolds says the spirit was palpable the moment she walked into the event, and believes it reflects something bigger happening for women in West Virginia.
“It is our time and it is our time to be loud and be proud and to get ourselves in those rooms,” Reynolds said. “When I walked into this huge ballroom of women and leadership, I felt at home and I’m telling you, this is where we’re headed.”
