ELEVATE 2026: The Creative Women’s Summit | January 13, 2026 | Darien, CT • Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now →

Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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ELEVATE 2026: The Creative Women’s Summit | January 13, 2026 | Darien, CT • Tickets On Sale Now →

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ELEVATE SCHEDULE by Shorelines Illustrated

Choose the experience that fits your goals — whether you want full-day access to panels, breakouts, and networking, or the exclusive perks of our VIP experience.

Two ticket types are available: General Admission and VIP, which includes entry to the Monday Night Media Mixer, reserved seating, and special access to the VIP Lounge throughout the summit.

All breakout sessions are first come, first serve, and sessions will fill quickly — early registration is strongly encouraged.

krista leRay

Founder, Penny Linn Designs

Krista LeRay is the visionary behind Penny Linn Designs, the beloved modern needlepoint brand that has reenergized a classic craft for a new generation. What started as a creative outlet quickly evolved into one of the most recognizable names in contemporary needlepoint — blending timeless techniques with fresh, playful, and coastal-inspired designs that stitchers can’t get enough of.

Driven by a passion for preserving the art of needlepoint while making it approachable and stylish, Krista has built Penny Linn into a thriving creative community. Her keen eye for design, deep understanding of the stitcher’s experience, and unwavering commitment to quality have earned the brand a loyal and ever-growing following across the country.

In addition to its beautifully curated online shop, Penny Linn has expanded into a stunning brick-and-mortar storefront — a destination that celebrates craft, creativity, and connection. Krista’s thoughtful leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and love for her community continue to shape Penny Linn’s evolution as both a brand and a creative lifestyle experience.

Whether she’s designing new canvases, collaborating with artists, or championing the next generation of needlepoint enthusiasts, Krista’s mission remains the same: to make every stitch meaningful.

andrea pion pierre

Founder & Creator, A Slice of Pi

Andrea Pion Pierre is the creator and entrepreneur behind @asliceofpi, a lifestyle brand known for its signature blend of coastal charm, elevated everyday style, and behind-the-scenes realness. As a content creator, entrepreneur, and mom, Andrea has built a deeply engaged community by sharing her love of fashion, beauty, home, travel, and the joyful chaos of modern life.

With a background in marketing and a natural eye for storytelling, Andrea has partnered with national brands, launched her own successful creative ventures, and continues to inspire women to live beautifully, confidently, and authentically. At Elevate, she’ll share her insights on community-building, brand partnerships, and the power of showing up as your whole self online.

 

samantha yanks

Co-Founder The Connecticut Edit
and EIC Westport Magazine

Samantha Yanks is an award-winning editor, creative strategist, and tastemaker known for shaping some of the most influential lifestyle media brands. As Editor in Chief of Westport Magazine and Co-Founder of The Connecticut Edit, she leads editorial platforms that spotlight the people, stories, and style defining communities across Connecticut.

Previously the longtime Editor in Chief of Hamptons Magazine, Samantha has built a distinguished career championing culture, design, fashion, and thoughtful storytelling. Her work spans print, digital, creative direction, and brand consulting, making her a sought-after voice in the world of luxury and lifestyle media.

A natural connector and an advocate for women in media, Samantha brings a modern, meaningful perspective to every conversation she leads — grounding stories in purpose, personality, and impact.

penny goffman

Community Connector

Penny Goffman is an entrepreneur, community builder, and experiential strategist known for empowering women and elevating brands. With a talent for creating magnetic events that connect businesses with audiences of female leaders, she drives organic visibility, loyalty, and meaningful connections. Formerly Head of Community at HeyMama, Penny is also a writer, speaker, and former fashion entrepreneur who has produced and moderated panels nationwide on motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the power of connection.

dr kim nichols

MD, FAAD

Dr. Kim Nichols, MD, FAAD is a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist and nationally recognized expert in cosmetic and medical skincare. Known for her artistic, natural-looking injectable results, she is a celebrity dermatologist, national trainer for Allergan, Galderma, and Merz, and founder of NicholsMD of Greenwich, SkinLab by NicholsMD, and NicholsMD of Fairfield. Regularly featured on The Today Show, Dr. Oz, and in New Beauty, Dr. Nichols is a leading voice in modern skin health, confidence, and women’s wellness.

dr shieva ghofrany

M.D. OBGYN, MSCP

Dr. Shieva Ghofrany is an OBGYN of 25+ years and co-creator of TRIBE CALLED V, known for helping women become “proactive, not paranoid” about their health. With nearly 50K followers, she blends medical expertise with her own journey through miscarriages, endometriosis, weight-loss surgery, and ovarian cancer to help women shift their mindset, reduce fear, and better understand their bodies.

A trusted voice in women’s wellness, she is frequently quoted in Self, HuffPost, MindBodyGreen, and featured in the PBS/Netflix series HUMAN: The World Within.

dr daryl appleton

M.Ed. CAGS, LMHC, Ed.D.

Dr. Daryl Appleton is a modern force in executive wellness and high-performance strategy, advising Fortune 500 leaders, global brands, elite athletes, and top medical programs. Founder of a results-driven consulting firm and host of the award-winning podcast Feelings & Other F Words—named a Top 10 Wellness Podcast by Vogue—she blends neuroscience, psychoanalysis, and precision strategy to help high achievers succeed without burning out. Featured in Vogue, Forbes, and more, she’s the mind behind the minds of today’s most influential leaders.

dr brittny howell

M.D.

Dr. Brittny Williams Howell is a board-certified vascular surgeon and the co-founder/CEO of Morph Med Spa in Ridgefield, CT. The only board-certified vascular surgeon in Ridgefield, she combines her surgical expertise with a passion for helping patients look and feel their best. A graduate of Duke University and NYU School of Medicine, Dr. Brittny is dedicated to empowering patients to live their best lives in their best bodies.

amy guzzi

Stylist, Content Creator
and Founder of the fashion brand Lewellyn

Amy Guzzi is the founder of Lewellyn and a sought-after stylist and content creator known for her elevated, effortless approach to fashion. With a signature aesthetic rooted in modern femininity, refined essentials, and wearable luxury, Amy inspires her audience through thoughtfully curated looks and approachable style guidance.

Since launching Lewellyn, Amy has built a growing lifestyle brand that blends fashion, styling, and storytelling. Her work spans editorial styling, brand collaborations, and digital content creation, where she partners with fashion and lifestyle brands to create polished, high-converting visual narratives.

Recognized for her eye for detail and her ability to make great style feel both aspirational and attainable, Amy continues to influence and shape the modern style landscape while building a brand designed for women who love timeless, intentional fashion.

kaity cimo and katharine requa

Founders of Founders Five

Kaity and Katharine are the co-founders of Founder Fives, a platform offering workshops, courses, and 1:1 strategy sessions that help emerging clothing and accessories brands grow through smart, strategic retail. They previously launched and scaled For Now, a retail incubator that supported 250+ brands, expanded into multiple locations, and grew to seven figures before its acquisition in 2023.

With deep experience in brand growth, retail strategy, community events, and early-stage investment, they’ve played a key role in elevating well-known emerging brands. Today, they serve as hands-on partners for founders, helping them build stronger retail strategies, avoid costly missteps, and accelerate sustainable business growth.

laura sabia

Award Winning Publisher, Entrepreneur
and Best Selling Author

Laura Sabia is an accomplished entrepreneur and publisher shaping the fitness and lifestyle landscape of Fairfield County and Upper Westchester. She is the owner of Pure Barre and Club Sweat boutique fitness studios and the publisher of Greenwich Lifestyle, Darien + New Canaan Lifestyle, and Upper Westchester Lifestyle magazines.

With a background in advertising, public relations, and education, Laura leads multiple teams and brands focused on community connection, wellness, and meaningful local storytelling. Her work continues to elevate regional businesses, inspire residents, and strengthen the communities she serves.

nina b clarke

CT Tastemaker
and Host, “Nina’s Got Good News”

Nina Bradley Clarke is an Emmy-award-winning journalist. She is a storyteller at heart after working in TV news for 15 years. Nina is the founder and host of “Nina’s Got Good News” Podcast available on all podcast platforms. She is also a popular lifestyle blogger, public speaker, brand influencer, and social media consultant. Nina lives in coastal Connecticut with her husband and two children.

 

anna barnes

Luxury PR Pro, Bliss & Bellinis

Anna Barnes is a luxury PR pro, journalist, and the voice behind Bliss & Bellinis, where she shares her passion for travel, unique experiences, and curating a life filled with style and adventure. With a background in public relations, brand strategy, and television, she brings a sharp editorial eye and storyteller’s instinct to every project, helping brands shape narratives that resonate. A champion of local gems, she loves spotlighting the small businesses that make our communities shine. When she’s not crafting stories for brands or on deadline, she’s usually on a plane and always ready for a Bellini.

cora thomas

Design Director, Tuckernuck

Cora Thomas is the Design Director at Tuckernuck, leading the creative vision and design direction for one of the most beloved lifestyle brands in modern American style. With a focus on timeless silhouettes, thoughtful details, and effortless sophistication, Cora brings Tuckernuck’s signature aesthetic to life across ready-to-wear, accessories, and seasonal collections.

Known for her refined eye and ability to balance classic design with fresh, contemporary appeal, Cora guides the brand’s creative evolution while staying true to its heritage of style, joy, and ease. She collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to shape cohesive collections, inspire storytelling, and deliver the polished, wearable pieces that define Tuckernuck’s loyal following.

A respected leader and creative force, Cora continues to elevate the brand’s artistry and innovation, helping Tuckernuck remain a go-to destination for women who love timeless, beautifully designed fashion.

holly ruth finigan

Author, Founder, Wellness Leader, Realtor

Holly Ruth Finigan is an author, meditation leader and chakra healer. She uses her gift of authentically relating to empower human beings to live out their holy truth while remembering who they really are. She does this through breathwork, workshops, one on one work, her podcast and her book Wholeheartedly: The One You Want To Find Is You.

Holly is also a sought after Nantucket realtor with Maury People’s SIR office.

marisa grimshaw

Vice President of Brand Marketing at Rhone

Marisa Grimshaw is a senior brand-marketing and communications leader, currently serving as Vice President of Brand Marketing at Rhone — a leading performance lifestyle apparel brand. 

Over her career, Marisa has built a reputation for developing strategic brand and partnership initiatives that connect lifestyle, wellness, and community values. At Rhone, she’s been instrumental in shaping brand identity, forging meaningful collaborations, and amplifying storytelling around health, performance, and mindful living.

Known for her hands-on approach to communications and partnership building, Marisa combines passion, strategic vision, and authenticity to help brands resonate deeply with their audience. outside of work, she engages with issues like mental-health awareness — reflecting a holistic view of brand purpose and social responsibility.

Whether speaking on brand strategy, partnerships, or conscious marketing, Marisa brings real-world experience and a thoughtful perspective — making her a compelling voice for audiences interested in the intersections of wellness, lifestyle, and brand storytelling.

jane beiles

Commercial & Editorial Photographer, Author, Educator — Founder of Jane Beiles Photography

Jane Beiles is a celebrated commercial and editorial photographer based in Fairfield, Connecticut. She’s built a robust and highly influential career photographing architecture, interiors, food, travel, and lifestyle — with regular assignments for top publications like The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, and more. 

Her journey to photography is rooted in a lifelong love of visual storytelling — from museum visits with her mother as a child to studying art history at University of Michigan, to a stint in fashion, and ultimately to founding her own firm in 2011.

What sets Jane apart is her refined eye for composition. She brings to life the “balance, still-life and sense of humanity” within a space — whether it’s an interior, a building, a natural landscape, or a fleeting moment in everyday life. 

Beyond the lens, Jane is also a published author: her book 52 Weeks: A Pictureful Planner for Inspiration & Organization blends photography, storytelling, and mindful living — a reflection of her philosophy around visual memory, intentional living, and photography as art.

As a speaker, Jane shares not only her technical and aesthetic expertise — from architectural and interiors photography to editorial storytelling — but also her personal journey as a creative entrepreneur balancing motherhood, artistic pursuit, and business. Her presentations often weave together creative vision, practical workflow, and authentic narrative — making her a compelling voice for audiences interested in photography, design, content creation, and lifestyle storytelling.

louise pritchard

Creative Business Growth Strategist & Founder, LPP Consulting

Louise Pritchard is a Creative Business Growth Strategist with more than 40 years of marketing leadership experience, including senior roles at FORTUNE Magazine and Holiday Inn Worldwide, as well as hands-on entrepreneurial experience as a co-founder of a tech startup in the grocery e-commerce space.

For more than two decades, Louise has led LPP Consulting, where she is dedicated to transforming brand strengths into measurable results. She helps established entrepreneurs and early-stage founders take their businesses to the next level by first identifying their goals, uncovering what’s holding them back, and then building a clear, actionable plan for growth.

Through personalized one-on-one consulting, workshops, conference speaking, and follow-up strategy sessions, Louise guides clients through the “ah-ha” moments that reveal new opportunities and unlock their true potential. Her passion is helping creative entrepreneurs gain clarity, amplify their strengths, and confidently elevate their businesses to new heights.

wren alaia

Editor, Founder Connecticut Luxury

Wren Alaia is the creator behind Connecticut Luxury, where she brings fashion to life through real, street-style storytelling. Known for her on-the-spot GRWM interviews and candid fashion conversations, Wren captures real people sharing real style — making luxury feel approachable, relevant, and personal. Her content resonates because it’s immediate, authentic, and rooted in everyday moments, proving that the most compelling fashion stories are the ones happening right in front of us.

megan schinella

Lifestyle Creator & Co-Host, Just 4 Moms Podcast

Megan Schinella is the creator behind Camp by Mama, a Connecticut-based lifestyle platform blending comedy, relatable motherhood, adventures, and fashion. Known for her candid humor and refreshingly real perspective, Megan shares everyday life in a way that feels honest, entertaining, and deeply relatable.

A trusted local voice, Megan is a contributor to Darien New Canaan Lifestyle Magazine, hosts a recurring segment on STAR 99.9 Radio, and is a co-host of the Just 4 Moms Podcast, where she connects with women through conversation, humor, and shared experience. Through Camp by Mama, she has built a highly engaged community that values authenticity, laughter, and real-life storytelling.

As a Connecticut-based influencer and content creator, Megan partners with brands that align with her values, bringing stories to life through thoughtful, approachable content that resonates with modern moms and lifestyle audiences alike.

Delamar Greenwich Harbor

Delamar Southport

Stamford Marriott

Hyatt Regency

JHOUSE

Hilton Stamford

Stanton House

LA QUINTA/WYNDHAM