Women’s Success Summit Empowers Future Leaders
John Palminteri
GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – The 2026 Women’s Success Summit (SHIFT: The CEO Advantage), is bringing future leaders together in Goleta and many see a faster track than ever.
Organizers say in a rapidly changing economy “where technology evolves overnight, market trends shift without warning, and the rules of business are being rewritten, you can’t afford to stay still.”
They point out to attendees that what they’ve been doing, may not be what they need to succeed at the next level.
That’s why they emphasize the shift.
The event at the Leta hotel Wednesday was designed exclusively for women business owners, and women who are rising through the ranks in the business world who are looking for a clear action plan. It is also a motivator for those looking for positions as community leaders and politicians.
The room was energetic and enthusiastic.
Managing Director @ewomennetwork Julie Spear said “they want to scale their business, or they have an idea on how to change or shift their business. And this is where the ideas happen. “
One of the up and comers, Katie DeMillo is with Domestic Violence Solutions. She said, “Yes. Everybody believes in each other. So I have heard that 100%.”
Working together they have been able to tap into worldwide opportunities and it can start right in their own communities on the Central Coast.
This Santa Barbara Women’s Success Summit also had tables with businesses showcasing their efforts and owners talking about their management styles. Tobey Ann Terry is an influencer and style expert with Hot Mama Style Coaching. “Oh my God, I feed off of this energy. It’s amazing. You get to meet all kinds of women, all different types of businesses. You learn different things on how to grow your business, how to collaborate.”
The energy empowers those attending no matter where they are as they try to attain their next business goals.
Sandra Yancey is the CEO @Epowerwomen and says, “right now, in our nation, only about 1.7% of all women business owners ever make it over a million. And that’s what even the network really stands for. So we’re really about the people that are really serious about building equity value and their business, building infrastructure.”
Speeches and conversations did launch some new ideas and directions.
DeMillo said, “It inspires me not only to do more work. I work at Domestic Solutions. So to do more work, work harder, but also to pour into other people’s business. So all the women around, it just support each other and uplifts each other.”
To get to the finish line, Spear said, “you’re doing all the things, you’re working hard, you’re in the grind here and you come here you realize you need to still keep going. You do not want to fall short five minutes from your dream.”
The times have been changing and this session is guiding future business leaders with it. Tobey Ann Terry said, “and being an entrepreneur is totally different especially in the online world and the on line space and brings that component in. You learn a lot of different things.”
This wasn’t a session to go away with a stack of brochures, but real tangible steps that can go to work in your career right away.
DeMillo said, “They give me a lot of little nuggets of wisdom to hopefully be able to do that in the near future. “
From a starting point to a launching point, Yancey said, “birthing a business is a full time job. No doubt about it. But you don’t have to do it alone. That’s the good news.”
The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.