ARTICLE
It is summertime along the Central Coast, which brings us a pattern of morning fog turning to sunny days. Tourists are flocking to the beach to avoid the hotter weather “over the hill” and in the Central Valley. Thank goodness for our beach weather. During the summer months, you have many options to engage in community events hosted by local organizations. We work with our business and non-profit partners to help each other thrive. Over a decade ago, the Chamber leadership held numerous events, lunchtime speaker series highlighting the significant contributions from women leaders in the business, public sector and non-profit community. The program began in the early 2000s and was a catalyst for empowering women. However, over the years, the series lost its luster and slowly dissolved due to a lack of community engagement and internal chamber leadership support. The program faded away. In 2018 and 2019, the Chamber revived a different formatted speakers series entitled Leadership in a Changing World. The theory, again, was to enlighten our members and the community. The summary definition was: Have you ever wanted to know how leaders are created and what they do to stay ahead in running a company, performing at the highest level of competition, and leading a department or organization? We have all seen leaders from afar. Imagine how a leader shapes their company, organization, community, and region. If you want to learn directly from the leaders in our community, region, and nation, the Chamber’s Leadership Series is the place to be! The series was a great success, but like many events in Santa Cruz County, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped in-person events and community gatherings. Last October 2023, we returned to a community favorite with the relaunch of the Women In Business Leadership Summit held at the Chaminade Spa and Resort. We were unsure what level of interest we would receive, so our planning team started a small program when we opened up registration to an outpouring of community interest and sponsorship support. We had to reformat the program and ask the Chaminade team to open up their largest venue space to accommodate the program. The Summit was so successful that the Chamber planning team decided to increase the program and return with a Women In Business series. The series began with a small business after hours at Sante Adairius Rustic Ales — with co-founder and owner Adair Paterno, a women business leader recognized as a champion top-shelf brewmaster. As you might guess, the brewery industry has been dominated by male brewers. Adair and a few other local women brewers have changed that tradition. Today, Sante Adairius Rustic Ales has three locations in Capitola, Santa Cruz, and Oakland. Recently, Adair purchased Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Company, a stalwart local brewery on the westside of Santa Cruz. These women leaders have captured the innovation and imagination that show how any woman given the opportunity can become a leader in their industry, whether in the private, public, or non-profit sector. The Chamber has embarked on the Women In Business series with the intent to keep the momentum alive. On August 7, 2024, Dientes Community Dental and Santa Cruz Community Health are co-hosting a Business After Hours Networking Event. Event Page: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Womens-Networking-Mixer-6394/details. Celebrate National Health Center Week and discover the vital role health centers play in fostering a healthier community. Meet and be inspired by two dynamic female CEOs, Laura Marcus of Dientes and Anita Aguirre of Santa Cruz Community Health, as they share their remarkable journey of partnership and collaboration and how you can support this impactful work happening in your community. On September 5, 2024, we are holding a Women in Business Lunch entitled Work, Life Balance, and the Importance of Self-Care with our guest speaker, Melinda White. Event page: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Women-in-Business-Luncheon-Work-Life-Balance-and-the-Importance-of-SelfCare-with-Melinda-White-DO-6405/details. And finally, on October 17, 2024, our Women’s Leadership Summit will take place at the Mount Hermon Conference Center. The Women's Leadership Summit: Cultivating Renewal, Resilience and Empowerment. This transformative event delves into the essence of renewal within the framework of leadership, empowering women to foster resilience, adaptability, and empowerment in both their personal and professional spheres. Event page: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Womens-Leadership-Summit-6399/details. The Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce is committed to empowering young women professionals to join the next generation of community leaders who will take the county to greater heights. Please consider joining us at one or all three of the WIB series of events. If you want to be recognized as a community catalyst, please contact me about sponsorship opportunities. I know that you will find that by participating in these supercharged events, your company will receive high profiled marketing value.
It is summertime along the Central Coast, which brings us a pattern of morning fog turning to sunny days. Tourists are flocking to the beach to avoid the hotter weather “over the hill” and in the Central Valley. Thank goodness for our beach weather.
During the summer months, you have many options to engage in community events hosted by local organizations. We work with our business and non-profit partners to help each other thrive.
Over a decade ago, the Chamber leadership held numerous events, lunchtime speaker series highlighting the significant contributions from women leaders in the business, public sector and non-profit community. The program began in the early 2000s and was a catalyst for empowering women. However, over the years, the series lost its luster and slowly dissolved due to a lack of community engagement and internal chamber leadership support. The program faded away.
In 2018 and 2019, the Chamber revived a different formatted speakers series entitled Leadership in a Changing World. The theory, again, was to enlighten our members and the community. The summary definition was: Have you ever wanted to know how leaders are created and what they do to stay ahead in running a company, performing at the highest level of competition, and leading a department or organization? We have all seen leaders from afar. Imagine how a leader shapes their company, organization, community, and region. If you want to learn directly from the leaders in our community, region, and nation, the Chamber’s Leadership Series is the place to be!
The series was a great success, but like many events in Santa Cruz County, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped in-person events and community gatherings.
Last October 2023, we returned to a community favorite with the relaunch of the Women In Business Leadership Summit held at the Chaminade Spa and Resort. We were unsure what level of interest we would receive, so our planning team started a small program when we opened up registration to an outpouring of community interest and sponsorship support. We had to reformat the program and ask the Chaminade team to open up their largest venue space to accommodate the program. The Summit was so successful that the Chamber planning team decided to increase the program and return with a Women In Business series. The series began with a small business after hours at Sante Adairius Rustic Ales — with co-founder and owner Adair Paterno, a women business leader recognized as a champion top-shelf brewmaster. As you might guess, the brewery industry has been dominated by male brewers. Adair and a few other local women brewers have changed that tradition. Today, Sante Adairius Rustic Ales has three locations in Capitola, Santa Cruz, and Oakland. Recently, Adair purchased Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Company, a stalwart local brewery on the westside of Santa Cruz.
These women leaders have captured the innovation and imagination that show how any woman given the opportunity can become a leader in their industry, whether in the private, public, or non-profit sector. The Chamber has embarked on the Women In Business series with the intent to keep the momentum alive.
On August 7, 2024, Dientes Community Dental and Santa Cruz Community Health are co-hosting a Business After Hours Networking Event. Event Page: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Womens-Networking-Mixer-6394/details. Celebrate National Health Center Week and discover the vital role health centers play in fostering a healthier community. Meet and be inspired by two dynamic female CEOs, Laura Marcus of Dientes and Anita Aguirre of Santa Cruz Community Health, as they share their remarkable journey of partnership and collaboration and how you can support this impactful work happening in your community.
On September 5, 2024, we are holding a Women in Business Lunch entitled Work, Life Balance, and the Importance of Self-Care with our guest speaker, Melinda White. Event page: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Women-in-Business-Luncheon-Work-Life-Balance-and-the-Importance-of-SelfCare-with-Melinda-White-DO-6405/details.
And finally, on October 17, 2024, our Women’s Leadership Summit will take place at the Mount Hermon Conference Center. The Women's Leadership Summit: Cultivating Renewal, Resilience and Empowerment. This transformative event delves into the essence of renewal within the framework of leadership, empowering women to foster resilience, adaptability, and empowerment in both their personal and professional spheres. Event page: https://web.santacruzchamber.org/events/Womens-Leadership-Summit-6399/details. The Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce is committed to empowering young women professionals to join the next generation of community leaders who will take the county to greater heights.
Please consider joining us at one or all three of the WIB series of events. If you want to be recognized as a community catalyst, please contact me about sponsorship opportunities. I know that you will find that by participating in these supercharged events, your company will receive high profiled marketing value.