Inaugural BOLD Women’s Summit Set to Change Women’s Narrative in November
The BOLD Women’s Summit (Building Opportunities for Leadership Development) will take place Nov. 18, 2025, at James River Church in Joplin. The all-day gathering is designed to elevate women across the Four States through leadership, connection and confidence. It brings together powerhouse speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities in a high-energy, practical format.
The summit is built around the idea of providing tools women can use immediately. Lauren Hall, director of member success at the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, wanted the event to be more than an inspirational pep talk.
“I love a pep talk, but I also want to fill my time with things I can actually take back and apply,” she says. “That’s why we’ve incorporated personal development alongside professional growth. When women are not well personally, it’s really hard to be well professionally.”
The summit features three tracks that reflect the most pressing needs voiced by women, growing directly out of early planning conversations. A group gathered with large sheets of paper to write down the most challenging things they were facing, and those notes became the blueprint for the summit, while also sparking friendships that have continued throughout the planning process.
The tracks are Leadership and Influence, Voices of Change, and Holistic Health. Each includes breakout sessions and panel discussions designed to provide tools for professional and personal growth.
“These tracks came directly from listening to women in the community,” Hall says. “We kept hearing about leadership, boundaries, conflict and wellness. Those conversations kept coming up, and we knew they had to be part of the summit.”
The Leadership & Influence track gives women practical strategies to move forward in their careers and lead with confidence. Sessions focus on navigating barriers, building networks that open doors and creating a legacy of leadership. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies they can use right away, from strengthening decision-making and influence to developing support systems that foster long-term growth.
Voices of Change will champion women’s advancement and is designed to confront the barriers and inequities women encounter in professional and personal spaces. This track explores the realities of rejection, bias and conflict, reframing them as opportunities for growth, resilience and leadership. Attendees will learn practical tools for reclaiming their footing after setbacks, strategies for recognizing and addressing subtle biases that shape workplace dynamics, and confidence-building approaches for navigating conflict with strength and clarity.
The Holistic Health for Women track focuses on achieving balance in life, work and finances. Sessions focus on practical ways to strengthen well-being, whether that means caring for yourself, your health or your money. The emphasis is on setting boundaries, prioritizing health and building financial confidence while managing daily responsibilities. Attendees will leave with strategies for sustainable self-care, fresh perspectives on success beyond the hustle, and clear steps for breaking through financial barriers.
The BOLD Women’s Summit brings together speakers whose stories and expertise connect directly to the needs of women in the community.
Dr. Rachel Oblon opens the conversation on identity and imposter syndrome.
“It takes courage to show up to a life you didn’t anticipate, and it takes grit to keep showing up to make it the life you want,” she says. She points to her own journey as an example. “I practice what I preach. I am a single mom of four, divorced, rewriting my life and was able to pursue and complete a PhD during the worst season of my life. I truly believe that everyday women are superheroes and we are far stronger than we give ourselves credit for.”
Rachel Heisten and Alissa Owsley, co-founders of LifeWork, will guide participants in developing emotional intelligence to strengthen communication, build meaningful relationships and approach challenges with empathy and composure. Their session highlights how understanding and managing both our own emotions and those of others allows us to lead with authenticity, integrity and humanity.
Mo Holloman, an ADHD coach and energy strategist, closes the summit with a keynote that challenges the idea that burnout is inevitable. She encourages women to step out of hustle mode and embrace a more sustainable path to success. Holloman describes the impact of BOLD as “the ripple.
“The second you step into a space like BOLD, change is already happening. I’m most excited to feel the energy of women speaking up, connecting and realizing that they don’t have to shrink, hustle or burn out to belong. We get to rewrite the rules together and that ripple will extend far beyond Joplin. Far beyond this space and time.”
The day kicks off with a networking breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., giving participants time to meet new people and settle in. Vendors and nonprofit booths highlight services and resources that support women in the community.
Keynotes and breakout sessions fill the morning before everyone gathers for a group lunch. The afternoon continues with additional sessions and keynotes, leading into a final round of learning before the closing keynote wraps up the program.
At 4:30 p.m., the conversation moves to the Roxy Event Center for Business After Hours, where participants can unwind, relax and make new friends.
BOLD Experience Passes are $100 and include access to all sessions, meals and networking. There is also a Gift a BOLD Experience Pass option that allows individuals or organizations to sponsor women who may not otherwise have the means to attend.
Hall says BOLD is for everyone. “We want the working mom, the stay-at-home mom, the retired woman and the woman launching her career. You never know who you’ll meet or what door will open from that introduction. That’s what this is all about.”
Plans are already underway to keep the momentum going beyond the day itself. Organizers are exploring ways to continue the momentum through private groups, mixers and future gatherings.
“This isn’t just about one day,” Hall continues. “It’s about creating a community where women support women.”
The BOLD Women’s Summit offers more than one day of inspiration. It is an investment in women’s leadership, health and future across the Four States. The event promises not only powerful moments but also tangible takeaways that women can apply in both their personal and professional lives.
