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what to EXPECT
preview the VENUE
Embarc Collective helps Florida's startup talent build bold, scalable, thriving companies. It delivers coaching by startup veterans, curated programming, an ever-growing repository of resources and frameworks, and access to national customers and investors, all amongst a peer community of 125+ tech startups operating within an award-winning 32,000-square-foot startup hub in downtown Tampa, Florida.
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Steps away from the Amalie Arena, Channelside, Tamp Riverwalk, and historic Ybor City, this is a rich location for those visiting the area from out of town.
There's no shortage of women's events these days, but some of these conferences leave women feeling underwhelmed:
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"I WENT TO THAT EVENT, BUT I DIDN'T MEET ANYONE...
OR LEARN ANYTHING NEW."
The Friend Forward Women's Connection Summit is different.
This event was designed by a former teacher and curriculum specialist, which means attendees can rest assured that they will learn fresh insights from women who are qualified to be in the room. Saturday's programming is packed with panels, keynotes, and expert-led sessions to equip you with practical ways to create and deepen your platonic relationships with other women.
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Find the Saturday agenda below* (or view the Friday agenda here):
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9am-9:30am Doors open, check-in, vendors, personal relational health assessment
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9:30am-9:40am Welcome by host Danielle Bayard Jackson, founder of the Women's Relational Health Institute
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11:00am- 11:20am "Elevated Speed-Friending" facilitated by by Danielle Bayard Jackson (NPR, Psychology Today, The New York Times), friendship expert and Director of the Women's Relational Health Institute
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11:30pm-12:45pm Lunch and Breakout sessions. Attendees will spend time in their individually pre-selected sessions to get support for their most pressing friendship issue. ​
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1pm -1:45pm Keynote by Danielle Bayard Jackson
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1:45pm-2pm: Closing, Dismissal, Vendors
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*Agenda subject to change
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THIS IMMERSIVE, FULL-DAY EXPERIENCE WILL EQUIP YOU WHILE FACILITATING REAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE WOMEN IN THE ROOM. COME JOIN US.
meet your SPEAKERS
Dr. Lisa Martin
Heal with Lisa
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Dr. Lisa is a psychologist whose work focuses on healing, joy, community, and justice.
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She will speak to the ways that women of color can form friendships and community. She will also speak to developing friendships while managing anxiety.
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Amanda E. White
Therapy for Women Center
​Amanda is a therapist, author of the book "Not Drinking Tonight", and creator of the wildly popular Instagram account @
therapyforwomen.
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She will speak to the ways that women can find more joy in their friendships by releasing people-pleasing and setting healthy boundaries.
Jojo Venant
The Clarity Hour
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Joann ("Jojo") is a therapist whose centers around women's shame, grief, and life transitions. She is based in Florida.
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Jojo will speak to the ways that women can navigate ambiguous grief and difficult life transitions in their female friendships.
Trish Singh
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Trish is a sports professional who's charged with identifying key talent while creating and developing relationships.
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She will speak to the tangible ways that women (especially those in male-dominated spaces) can identify, develop, and nurture key relationships.
What can you expect from these speakers?
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These women will share fresh insights and actionable steps for those who want to form healthier platonic relationships. Each woman was specifically selected for her depth of knowledge and ability to share practical applications for diverse audiences. They will present their respective areas of expertise in an extended panel moderated by Danielle Bayard Jackson.
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After the panel and keynote, attendees will then move to one breakout session of their choice to receive a more personalized experienced. One month prior to the event, attendees will be able to register for the session that most caters to a timely and personal relational health need.
breakout SESSIONS
Change your attachment style, change your friendships​
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In this breakout session, clinical psychologist Dr. Linda Comin will help women explore how attachment styles influence their friendships and shape how we interact in relationships. A safe space will be provided for sharing our experiences. Through guided discussions and activities participants will gain a deeper understanding of their own attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, or disorganized and how these can impact their ability to form and maintain meaningful connections with friends. Although we have cultivated this attachment style beginning in our early childhood development years there is recent evidence that this is not set in stone.
Cultivating faith-filled friendships​
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Are you seeking authentic friendships that strengthen your faith and support your mental health? Join psychotherapist Marilyn Shaw for a session on the power of faith-filled friendships. This session will guide you through practical steps to build strong, empowering relationships grounded in the Christian faith, trust, and mutual support. Discover how to cultivate connections that deepen your bond with God and each other while navigating life’s challenges through the lens of faith. Marilyn will share insights on building meaningful friendships that uplift, empower, and enrich your spiritual and emotional well-being.
Forging friendships in your single season ​
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As a single woman, navigating friendships can feel challenging when those around you are in different life seasons—married, in relationships, or starting families. Elzabeth Sabillon will lead this session that will equip you with practical strategies to maintain friendships with partnered friends, set healthy boundaries and expectations, and creating a life that supports your personal growth. If you’ve ever felt left behind or struggled to find your people, this conversation will encourage you and give you practical tools and tips.
The art of joyful conversation​
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In this session, Miriam Tinberg and Jennifer Pauline, Founders of the conversation club No Small Talk, will
explore two of the most challenging aspects of connecting with friends: gathering and going deep.
Using insight from Priya Parker's book The Art of Gathering alongside their No Small Talk framework, you will
leave this session with tools to overcome connection barriers, break surface-level conversations, and design intentional gatherings.
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KEYNOTE
Danielle Bayard Jackson
Danielle Bayard Jackson is a friendship educator, author, producer, and the founder of the Women's Relational Health Institute.
As the author of the book Fighting for our Friendships, Danielle has been featured in Oprah Magazine, CBS News, Psychology Today, and The Wall Street Journal, Danielle is known for providing research-based strategies with heart (and a little tough love).
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She has been hired as a keynote speaker for the NBA, NFL, TikTok, various colleges and universities, and Etsy, and she also served as the official spokesperson for Bumble's new app, Bumble for Friends.
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At the Women's Connection Summit, you'll be able to access Danielle's knowledge and personal coaching in an intimate environment. Her keynote will equip attendees with knowledge about:
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what the research reveals about the health impacts of female friendship
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what is required to create depth in existing friendships
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how to identify and establish worthwhile social connections that affirm and support your current life stage
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REGISTER
now
Register now to claim the "Trust Fall" pricing before prices increase on 11/15.
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ARRIVE with confidence
Relax knowing that we've planned every detail of your experience. All you have to do is show up.
ABOUT THE host
The Women's Connection Summit is hosted by the Women's Relational Health Institute.
The Women's Relational Health Institute is an organization for women leaders who are entrusted with the care of other women. We equip pastors, therapists, educators, and executives who work in female-dominated spaces, so they can lead with specific knowledge of the unique ways that women communicate, connect, and engage in conflict.
Founded by Danielle Bayard Jackson, the Women's Relational Health Institute offers certifications, workshops, and fresh research to help women leaders guide their female-dominated teams (employees, clients, students) toward deeper connection with one another.
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