That belief was at the heart of the inaugural Ten Talents Women’s Summit, held Monday, August 10, at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society. Centered around the theme “Lead with Intention,” the Summit brought together 13 women representing every Ten Talents nonprofit partner organization. The gathering was intentionally small, creating space for meaningful conversation, reflection and genuine connection.
These women spend their days leading organizations and teams, serving families, advocating for their communities and creating opportunities for others. For one day, the focus shifted to them — giving them space to be encouraged, restored and supported.
Creating a Space to Slow Down
The day began with Cielo Stein of Cielo Breathworks, who led a guided breathwork session focused on slowing down, becoming present and recognizing the importance of our internal state before moving into strategy or leadership decisions.
One idea resonated throughout the session: “state before strategy.” The experience allowed everyone to become still, release some of what they were carrying and begin the day from a more grounded place. Several attendees later shared that the session was emotional — and something they hadn’t realized they needed.
A Conversation About Leadership and Purpose
Keni Winchester of the Humana Foundation continued the day with an engaging conversation about leadership, purpose and the responsibility that comes with leading others. Rather than a traditional presentation, the session became an open conversation. Women shared experiences, asked questions and learned from Keni and one another. That connection continued over lunch, as women from different Ten Talents partner organizations discovered how much they shared despite serving different organizations and communities.
What Does It Mean to Lead with Intention?
The Summit concluded with an interactive leadership and reflection workshop led by Sarah Lopez of Valor Insights. Sarah challenged the group to think beyond what they were accomplishing and consider how they were leading.
What are you carrying? What might you need to release? What deserves more of your attention? And how do you want to lead more intentionally — professionally and personally? The workshop gave each woman time to reflect on where she was, where she wanted to go and what she wanted to carry forward from the day.
Thoughtful Details with a Deeper Purpose
Every part of the Summit was designed to make the women attending feel seen, valued and appreciated — including the gifts they received. An Oak & Luna compass necklace engraved with “Lead with Intention” represented direction and clarity. Products created by young entrepreneurs participating in Acepreneurs through the ACE Project connected the Summit to the next generation of leaders. A journal from Southern Ash encouraged continued reflection, while Mary Eau de Parfum from 502 Fragrances, created in honor of Louisville rhythm and blues legend Mary Ann Fisher, represented legacy. An F.L.Y. Girl Candles candle offered another fitting reminder: First Love Yourself.
As each woman left, she received a bouquet of white roses from Be Vessel, Flowers with Purpose — a final reminder that she deserved to be celebrated, too. The message tucked inside each gift bag captured the heart behind the day:
“You spend so much of your time serving, building, nurturing, advocating, solving and leading. Today, we hope these gifts remind you that you are worthy of being poured into, too.”
Investing in the People Behind the Mission
The response to the inaugural Women’s Summit reinforced why gatherings like this matter. Attendees shared that they felt genuinely cared for and appreciated — through the speakers and programming, but also through the conversations and thoughtful details woven throughout the experience.
At Ten Talents, partnership means more than providing financial support. We want to invest in the long-term strength, leadership and sustainability of our nonprofit partners — and strong organizations require supported leaders.
The Women’s Summit created an opportunity to invest directly in the women carrying these missions forward every day, providing space for leadership development, restoration, reflection and relationships that can extend well beyond a single gathering.
Our nonprofit partners spend every day investing in their communities. Sometimes, one of the most meaningful ways we can support those missions is to invest in the people doing the work.
Because the people who spend so much of themselves supporting others deserve opportunities to be supported, too.
