13th Annual West Chester University Women's Entrepreneurship Conference

Description

Lead Forward 2026 – Navigating Change, Unlocking Opportunity, Leading with Influence

Each year West Chester University is proud to celebrate women entrepreneurship. The Cottrell Center hosts various activities and workshops to support entrepreneurs, including the annual WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. This signature event provides an opportunity to make new connections and explore the endless possibilities that come with being an entrepreneur. This conference is open to all students, faculty, staff, and the general public.

This year marks the 13th Anniversary of the WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. The theme of this year's conference is Lead Forward 2026 – Navigating Change, Unlocking Opportunity, Leading with Influence.

This year the Chamber Alliance of Chester County is partnering with WCU to develop the programming for this year's conference. Conference participants will attend two breakout sessions.

This year’s keynote speaker is Fotini Iconomopoulos. There will also be a Fireside Chat with Joyel Crawford and Laura Manion

The conference is co-hosted by The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center and The Chamber Alliance of Chester County. The presenting sponsor of the conference is Citadel Credit Union and gold sponsor is Enterprise Mobility.

Breakout Sessions

Attendees will have the opportunity to choose two out of these three breakout sessions. 

Breakout 1: Panel Discussion - Women of Influence: Leading with Purpose, Creating Lasting Impact

Hear from an inspiring panel of women leaders who are using their influence to create meaningful change in their organizations, industries, and communities. This conversation will explore what it means to lead with purpose, build an authentic leadership presence, and turn influence into lasting impact. Panelists will share personal experiences, lessons learned, and insights on navigating challenges while staying true to their values. Attendees will leave inspired to define their own leadership voice and identify ways they can make a greater impact.

Breakout 2: Panel Discussion - Community is Capital: Your Network is Your Net Worth

Entrepreneurship is rarely a solo journey. In this engaging panel discussion, explore how relationships, connections, and community can become some of your most valuable business assets. Panelists will share strategies for building authentic professional relationships, cultivating a strong network, finding mentors and collaborators, and turning connections into opportunities for growth. Whether you're just beginning to build your network or looking to strengthen an established one, this session will highlight why who you know—and how you nurture those relationships—can be a powerful form of capital.

Breakout 3: Workshop - Mental Agility: The Competitive Advantage for Entrepreneurs & Leaders

Building a business requires leading through uncertainty, setbacks, and constant change. Discover how mental agility, the ability to intentionally manage your thoughts, emotions, and energy, can help you build resilience, turn challenges into opportunities, and lead yourself and your business with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Session hosted by Theresa Giunta.

Featured Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Fotini Iconomopoulos - Leadership & Communication Expert; Author of "Say Less, Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want"

Fireside Chat: Joyel Crawford - Keynote Speaker, TEDx speaker, Leadership Expert & Author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career

Thank You Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor: Citadel Credit Union

Gold Sponsor: Enterprise Mobility