Rhode Island – Thursday, September 24th 2026
Lead. Elevate. Thrive
Be part of a groundbreaking experience that champions all women and the future of women and girls in leadership. Join us at the R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference for a day of inspiration, connection and growth.
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MISSION STATEMENT
R.I.S.E empowers women and girls to achieve their fullest potential
Inspiration, Connection, Mentorship
Benefits of Attending the R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference
R.I.S.E empowers women and girls to navigate and excel in the workplace and entrepreneurial landscape through inspiration, connection, and mentorship, while fostering a balanced approach to work and life.
Be The Change
Build Your Network
Learn and Be Inspired
Personal Growth
TESTIMONIALS
Hear What Attendees Are Saying
This week, we hosted the 7th Annual for 1,000+ people from around New England. And it was everything it needed to be— inspiring, joyful, real, motivational, and oh it was filled with some truly badass women.
I love being surrounded by so many inspiring women and feel honored that I’m part of a team that creates a space that hundreds of women look forward to every year. My favorite part of the day was hearing was Dr. Novello, the first woman and Latina to serve as US Surgeon General. Her keynote will stick with me for a long time and I can’t wait to read her book.
Theresa Agonia
The energy in this room was TRULY unmatched! Beyond grateful to have served as a speaker for the 2024 ! Thousands of New England’s best and brightest women leaders (and a few good men) gathered to help each other hashtag#R.I.S.E.! I’m asked to speak often, but seeing and feeling this room was magical—something I will never forget. Forever a fan! More soon!
Ashley D. Varnado
Amazing day with several members of the Centreville Bank team at today’s . Hearing the stories of so many women and how they are making their voice heard, creating opportunities for others and leading with intentionality was inspiring. Proud to be a platinum sponsor. hashtag#R.I.S.E.WLC2024 #ProgressOnPurpose
Vanessa Marszalek
What an uplifting and inspiring R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference yesterday!
Three key takeaways:
🌟Ask yourself: “Who would I love being in this moment?” “Who would I most like to become?
🌟Have a vision for your future and pursue your own path, not a copy of someone else’s.
🌟Don’t underestimate yourself, others will do that plenty for you.
Bonus: Your network will always matter. Make the time to build and maintain relationships.🙌🏽 We know it, but don’t always DO IT.
Loved connecting with powerhouses Ilhiana Rojas Saldana, ACC, CDVC of UNITED LATINAS, Enna Jimenez, Cristina Costa, CPCC, CPC, among so many others.
Thanks to the incredibly talented Margaret Batting, AICI, CPBS, Karissa Azonabor and Angelica Romero for dropping so much wisdom and truths in our panel together.
And lastly, thank you to Lynelia Raposo, MBA and the whole team at R.I.S.E. for all of their hard work in putting this conference together, inviting me to speak and share my book Your Time to Rise: Unlearn Limiting Beliefs, Unlock Your Power, Unleash Your Truest Self. Can’t wait for next year’s conference!
hashtag#yourtimetorise hashtag#womenempowerment hashtag#womenleadership
Arivee Vargas, Esq.
Benefits
Hear What Attendees Are Saying
Women in leadership
Discover how to navigate and overcome the unique challenges faced by female employees, and learn to lead effectively at any career stage.
Financial Literacy
With women projected to hold two-thirds of the nation’s wealth by 2030, it’s crucial to stay engaged with financial strategies.
Health & Wellness
Explore strategies to enhance your health and wellness, two essential components for a longer, fulfilling life.
Entrepreneurship
Women have shown remarkable resilience and creativity in business and educational leadership.
Mentorship
Learn about our partnerships with schools and mentorship programs that shape the leaders of tomorrow.
A Better You!
Join workshops designed to develop universal skills that benefit various aspects of life, contributing to your overall growth and success.
R.I.S.E. Strategic Advisory Council
Hilina D. Ajakaiye
Executive Vice President, MeetBoston Founder & Executive Director R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership
Chief Strategy Officer, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) | Destination Marketing & Economic Development Leader
Hilina D. Ajakaiye is respected globally as a visionary leader in destination marketing, tourism strategy, and economic development. With a proven track record of driving economic growth, fostering inclusive tourism, and leading transformational initiatives in the 3rd largest industry in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Hilina is recognized for her strategic innovation, financial acumen, and community-driven leadership.
With nearly 20 years of experience in executive leadership, destination marketing, workforce development, and revenue generation, she has dramatically shaped the future of tourism in her market by leveraging strategic partnerships, superb community engagement, collaboration and data-driven marketing strategies to maximize impact and sustainability.
Sr. Director, Executive Office and Communications at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
THERESA
MATOS AGONIA
Director, Risk Management Strategy in the REMS and Risk Management Center of Excellence (RRM CoE)
JACQUELINE GERENA
ABOUT THE LOCATION
Rhode Island Convention Center
Located in the heart of downtown Providence, the RICC is within walking distance to restaurants, hotels, shops, art galleries, night clubs, museums and more. We offer 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, 20,000 square feet of ballroom space, 23 meeting rooms, 30,000 square feet of pre-function space and a superb in-house catering team. With excellent work rules and regulations the Rhode Island Convention Center is the place to be for your next event. We are connected to the 564 guestroom Omni Providence Hotel. The Omni Providence Hotel offers additional meeting space to our guests with an 8,000 sq. ft. ballroom and 20 meeting rooms fully equipped to handle a wide range of services. Offering over 22,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, they can suit any type of event.
Thursday, September 24th 2026
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Ticket Options
R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference
Gold
Admission into the R.I.S.E. Annual Event + Gold Membership Benefits Below!
$150.00
- Admission into the R.I.S.E. Post Event VIP Reception
- Year Round Networking Opportunities throughout New England
- Career Opportunities
- The R.I.S.E. newsletter
- Get Featured - Your Brand, Product or Service
- Get Featured - Member Highlight
- The R.I.S.E. Podcast - Members have the ability to get featured if interested
- Founder & Team Meets (Virtual by Member Registration)
- R.I.S.E. Learning Seminars & Development: Real Estate, Finance, Business, Entrpreneurshp, Helath & Wellness & More
Platinum
Admission into the R.I.S.E. Annual Event + Gold Membership Benefits Below!
$250.00
- Admission into the R.I.S.E. Post Event VIP Reception
- Year Round Networking Opportunities throughout New England
- Career Opportunities
- The R.I.S.E. newsletter
- Get Featured - Your Brand, Product or Service
- Get Featured - Member Highlight
- The R.I.S.E. Podcast - Members have the ability to get featured if interested
- Founder & Team Meets (Virtual by Member Registration)
- R.I.S.E. Learning Seminars & Development: Real Estate, Finance, Business, Entrpreneurshp, Helath & Wellness & More
GENERAL NON-MEMBER
Admission into the R.I.S.E. Annual Event
$175.00 NON-MEMBER
- Admission into the R.I.S.E. Post Event VIP Reception
- Year Round Networking Opportunities throughout New England
- Career Opportunities
- The R.I.S.E. newsletter
- Get Featured - Your Brand, Product or Service
- Get Featured - Member Highlight
- The R.I.S.E. Podcast - Members have the ability to get featured if interested
- Founder & Team Meets (Virtual by Member Registration)
- R.I.S.E. Learning Seminars & Development: Real Estate, Finance, Business, Entrpreneurshp, Helath & Wellness & More
VIP NON-MEMBER
Admission into the R.I.S.E. Annual Event
$285.00 NON-MEMBER
- Admission into the R.I.S.E. Post Event VIP Reception
- Year Round Networking Opportunities throughout New England
- Career Opportunities
- The R.I.S.E. newsletter
- Get Featured - Your Brand, Product or Service
- Get Featured - Member Highlight
- The R.I.S.E. Podcast - Members have the ability to get featured if interested
- Founder & Team Meets (Virtual by Member Registration)
- R.I.S.E. Learning Seminars & Development: Real Estate, Finance, Business, Entrpreneurshp, Helath & Wellness & More
Ticket Options
GET YOUR GROUP / CORPORATE DISCOUNTED TICKETS
GO WITH FRIENDS & SAVE
- 5-7 Tickets $135 (10%)
- 8-10 Tickets: $127.50 (15%)
- 10+ Tickets $120 (20%)
Join Us For The R.I.S.E. Magic!
BECOME AN EXHIBITOR
The R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference invites you to be part of the largest gathering of women leaders in every facet in the state of Rhode Island. Whether you are a start up, individual business, established corporation or non-profit organization, this is the place to be!
The R.I.S.E. platform allows companies to showcase and launch their products, highlight their services, brand build, and recruit talent. There’s a reason why we have exhibitors come back year after year. Do not miss out on the opportunity to Exhibit at R.I.S.E!
Here are some of the REASONS TO EXHIBIT AT R.I.S.E.:
- Reach Our Target Audience with high engagement [1400+ expected attendees]
- Sell your products, services, recruit and grow your email database
- Network with local business owners and national companies
- Swag Bag Sample/Promotional, include coupon or sampling in our welcome
- bags (Min 500 to participate]
IN-PERSON EXHIBITOR
What’s Included when you’re an IN-PERSON EXHIBITOR:
- Registration for Two (2) Exhibitor Attendees
- One(1) 6 ft table topped and skirted with black linen and two chairs
- Move in the day before the event
- Social Media Vendor Spotlights
- Inclusion in our event pamphlet, shared with all attendees
ABOUT THE LOCATION
Reach a Community of Inspiring Women Leaders
R.I.S.E. women leadership attracts upwards of 1400+ professional women every year from diverse industries, background and professions.
Advertise with R.I.S.E. and reach them directly in our booklet that is given to all attendees at our annual event.
In addition, advertise with us all year through social, digital and our email marketing newsletter where your brand can be featured all year long!
OUR VISION
R.I.S.E (Realizing Inspiration & Sustaining Excellence)
Envisions a world free of adverse social norms that impact all women and girls in the workforce. The R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference brings discussion, thought leadership and connectedness across a diverse and broad range of phenomenal women. The experience creates a safe space for women and girls to engage in inspirational and courageous conversations surrounding the nuances of gender parity, social-economic, and workplace equality.
OUR MISSION
R.I.S.E is a 501(c)(3) educational organization
Missioned to inspire, connect, recognize and help women and girls navigate the workplace and entrepreneurial landscape while recognizing the importance of work/lifebalance that exists between both spaces.
R.I.S.E. supports women and girls live out their fullest potential in traditional, entrepreneurial, and creative professional experiences through peer engagement and mentorship opportunities.
In addition, R.I.S.E is deeply invested in the young women of today who will be leading the world and futures of tomorrow. We partner with many great organizations that positively shape the lives of youth for the future. After all, the outcomes of tomorrow are grounded in the efforts of today!