On November 5, step out of your daily grind and into a room filled with a truly transformative energy.
From connecting with local professional women and learning tangible tips from sessions that don’t hold back, to hearing from a brilliant set of speakers, the 2026 West Michigan Woman Brilliance Summit is undeniably the place to be. You’ll leave feeling charged with an unmatched electricity and assurance that, yes, you ARE brilliant. Inspiration has never felt this electric!
Taking place on November 5 at New Vintage Place from 1-5:30 p.m., attendees to the 2026 Brilliance Summit will experience a high-impact afternoon built by women, for women. The themes explored by our brilliant and dynamic speakers and panelists are ones that will truly resonate and offer takeaways that can be immediately implemented into your daily life.
This is not your typical networking or professional development event—the Brilliance Summit steps beyond what’s simply easy to talk about into the realm of what’s real.
SESSION: THE POWER OF FAILING FORWARD
Looking to shed any shame you’re still holding onto from a past setback? Want to completely reframe your perspective on failure to the point that you’ll actually welcome it? 2024 Legacy of Brilliance recipient Christy Buck understands well the transformative power of picking yourself back up in the face of adversity. As Executive Director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan and Founder be nice., Buck works daily to save lives through mental health suicide prevention education. In her Summit session, The Power of Failing Forward, Buck will get to the heart of the matter by exploring how failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s often the path that leads there. She’ll dive into risk, resilience, and why your next breakthrough may actually begin with your next setback.
SESSION: ADVOCATING FOR YOUR WELLNESS
If you’ve ever felt unheard or misunderstood in a medical setting, you’re far from alone. Women everywhere have been there, too. Whether it was being dismissed by a medical professional or not knowing where to turn to for credible resources, being a champion for your own health can feel like an uphill battle—but it doesn’t have to be that way. You’re allowed to speak up and step into the driver’s seat! In her Summit session, Advocating for Your Wellness, 2022 Brilliant Social Change Agent recipient Nisha McKenzie, PA-C, CSC, MSCP, IF, will empower women to own their voice in medical settings. Being the best advocate for your health starts with believing in your own power. McKenzie’s practical and easy-to-understand tips and tools will help attendees accomplish exactly that.
PANEL DISCUSSION: MAINTAINING AUTHENTICITY IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD
Has it seemed like we’re all just talking to robots lately? Craving a true human connection? It’s true that technology is continuing to transform almost every aspect of our daily lives. And while it can lighten the load of some tasks, what it can’t do is replace you and your uniquely human creativity. In this timely Summit panel discussion on Maintaining Authenticity in Today’s Digital World, expert panelists (moderated by Shelley Irwin) will converse and take questions from attendees on maintaining a genuine and authentic voice through the digital landscape, especially as today’s AI-driven world continues to evolve. Creativity, trust, relationships, and personal leadership are all on the table! Hear from Ashley René Lee; Catherine Ripley; Celeste Ross, MBA, SHRM-CP; and Latricia Trice.
SESSION: MAKING MENTORSHIP MATTER
Not enough can be said about having people in your corner who truly want to see you shine and who are invested in your success. Have you been looking for a mentor to guide you in this way? Or, have you been itching to become a mentor and bestow your wisdom onto someone looking to grow in their career and personally? This Making Mentorship Matter session, presented by 2026 Brilliant Mentor recipient Misti Stanton, delves into making these connections a reality and how nurturing these mentor-mentee relationships can be significantly impactful. Attendees will walk away from this session feeling empowered and inspired to create meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, in addition to tips for actually making it happen.
SUCCESS HAS A BACKSTORY
If extraordinary careers and influence don’t simply happen, how exactly are they built? What does it take to rise to the next level to be the powerhouse I know I’m meant to be? My journey hasn’t been linear … does that mean success isn’t in the cards for me? This intimate conversation between Kathleen Vogelsang, CFA, 2026 Brilliant Woman of the Year, and moderator Val Lego dissects the defining moments that have shaped Vogelsang’s career, from steadfast leadership to remarkable resilience and everything in between. If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that success manifests itself differently for everyone. And this is the perfect way to find what yours looks like.
How could you not be excited for the brilliance that’s being tapped on November 5? Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to converse and connect with fellow attendees about the day’s inspiring sessions while enjoying light appetizers and drinks.
Growth begins with the willingness to put yourself out there, learn something new, and be part of the conversation. There’s no better place than the Brilliance Summit to make that happen. Don’t miss your chance to be there!
Learn more and grab your tickets or tables before it’s too late!
Courtesy of West Michigan Woman.