Creating Community &
Gaining Clarity

3 Things You Can Do This Week To Build Community

At the virtual National Conference this March, we’re revisiting Martha Beck’s unforgettable Texas keynote, “Beyond Anxiety: Finding Purpose in Uncertain Times.”

In her speech, Martha explores:

• Why anxiety shows up when we’re out of alignment.

• How to recognize the small signals that point toward purpose.

• The mindset shifts that help you move from overwhelm to grounded action.

Her words resonated deeply with thousands of women — and now you can experience them wherever you are through the virtual National Conference.

Don't delay, now's the time to get your $150 ticket to the virtual NCFW on March 4, 2026!

Power Moves

This week’s headlines showcase women redefining scale, ambition, and generational impact.

A landmark fund commits half a billion dollars to female founders, Canva becomes the highest-valued woman-led startup in the world, and a 29-year-old former ballerina rises as the youngest self-made female billionaire. Meanwhile, Padma Lakshmi reflects on a career built on reinvention, advocacy, and creative evolution.

From boardrooms to cultural stages, women are expanding what’s possible—and who gets to lead.

• This fund plans to deploy half a billion dollars into female-founded companies over the next decade.
  
  
• Canva is now valued at $42 billion, the highest valuation for a woman-led and -founded startup in the world.
  
  
• A 29-year-old former ballerina becomes the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire, unseating Taylor Swift.
  
  
• 2025 CA CFW keynote speaker Padma Lakshmi and her daughter Krishna look back on her career, fashion choices, and activism as she takes on new ventures.

Work & Wellbeing Report

As organizations look ahead in 2026, one theme is impossible to ignore:

Employee depletion is widespread—and it’s impacting engagement, productivity, creativity, and retention.

Our 2025 report “Quiet Depletion & the Path to Re-Engagement,” based on insights from more than 1,400 professional women, reveals that:

• Nearly everyone feels depleted at least some of the time.

• 71% say depletion lowers morale and engagement.

• 55% say it reduces innovation and productivity.

• Many trace it back to unclear priorities, future uncertainty, and feeling undervalued.

But the data also reveals something hopeful: the path forward is clear.

Women told us exactly what helps them feel re-energized, committed, and ready to lead:

• Meaningful work aligned with values

• Connection and community

• Flexibility supported by trust

• Empathic, clear, and supportive leadership

• Access to skill-building, mentorship, and professional development

As one respondent shared:

“I can see how amazing we could make things and improve how things are run, but I just run into so many speed bumps that I am discouraged.”

As you plan for the year ahead, we invite leaders, HR teams, and organizations to consider:

What would it look like to truly support your people’s wellbeing not as a perk, but as a strategic priority?

Because when companies invest in meaningful work, community, and growth…

• Motivation increases

• Loyalty strengthens

• Leadership capacity expands

• Performance improves

At Conferences for Women, we’re here to help organizations take that next step—through our conferences, year-round programs, learning tools, community resources, and insights like this report.

Let’s make 2026 the year employees feel not just supported, but valued, energized, and empowered to thrive.