Training Events

weVENTURE WBC is proud to partner with the ATHENA Leadership Institute for a ninth year! Today, the ATHENA Leadership Model® can help women transform their leadership skills and empower them to step up during these times of economic turmoil, and a worldwide movement for economic and racial justice, to be the leaders we need them to be. 

Based on the Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ identified by ATHENA International, this course is designed to help emerging female leaders grow in confidence and clarity of purpose. Each class session is a dedicated deep dive into one of the principles with engaging discussion and activities that cultivate women on their personal growth journey while inspiring them to connect and share with others. 

LIVE AUTHENTICALLY -  LEARN CONSTANTLY  - BUILD RELATIONSHIPS - FOSTER COLLABORATION -  ACT COURAGEOUSLY  - ADVOCATE FIERCELY  -  GIVE BACK - CELEBRATE

Now more than ever, businesses are looking for tangible ways to diversify their workforce and equip emerging leaders with the tools they need to rise into management roles.  Traditional leadership development is focused on teaching people management. However, we know management is very different than true leadership. Management-focused programs don’t teach individuals how to foster personal growth and development in themselves and others, or walk them through the process of self-discovery. ATHENA bridges this crucial gap.

Sponsoring an emerging leader from your business is a great way to invest in her career development and connect her to the weVENTURE WBC and ATHENA International network of women. This provides supplemental ongoing  enrichment opportunities during and after participants in the ATHENA Leadership Program learn core curriculum competencies. 

The ATHENA Leadership Program is designed to create stronger female leaders. Join a dynamic cohort of women from across all industries as we study the 8 principles of ATHENA leadership.  This program is an inspiring and uplifting series that will motivate you to connect, share and grow.

8 Month program, meets one time per month on the 4th Thursday of the month. Also includes registration fee for 2025 IMPACT Summit, date TBA.

2025 dates: Apr. 24; May 22; Jun. 26; Jul. 24; Aug. 28; Sep. 25; Oct. 23 and Nov. 20.

All sessions are from 8:30am-10:30am at Florida Tech's Center for Aeronautics and Innovation, 1050 W. Nasa Blvd, Melbourne. Breakfast and networking available at 8:00am. 

Scholarship opportunities are available.  To apply, please email weventure@fit.edu.  If you are interested in sponsoring a woman through ATHENA, or sponsoring the program, email krudloff@fit.edu to discuss how your business can help bring this fantastic program to local women. 

Cost:  $1000  - Discount for $100 OFF available up to one month before first session date.

Part 3 in this 3-part free webinar series led by AI expert, Kyle Graham of Millefiori Aesthetics:

Serene Harbor offers a tool kit on how a business can set up policies and procedures that are supportive for those who are experience a domestic situation. Every business with employees should take time to think about their policies and how they can help support victims of domestic violence. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience domestic violence in their lifetime - so odds are someone in your organization will be or has been affected.  Thanks to Serene Harbor for putting together these workplace guides for employers. Join us for this important webinar. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and weVENTURE WBC is proud to bring you this important community resource for your employees.

Want to grow your business beyond word-of-mouth and social posts that only reach a handful of people? In this free 1-hour webinar, marketing expert Nina Elise at Elysian Launch will teach you:

• What is Paid Advertising? Definition and how it differs from organic reach.

• Why Ads Are Essential: The decline of organic reach and why paid ads accelerate growth.

• Advertising Platforms: Facebook/Instagram, Google/YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and when to use each.

• How Ads Work: Tracking, targeting, and ad types (video, static, carousel, reels, search).

• Getting Started: Practical steps to set up, budget basics, creative tips, and audience targeting.

• Industry-Specific Recommendations: Where to start based on industry and business type.

• Closing: How to combine paid + organic strategies for sustainable business growth.

Join weVENTURE Women's Business Center for a Strong Coffee Strong Women purposeful networking event. Enjoy delicious coffee with other ambitious women in our network at the beautiful Rockledge Country Club. Let us fill your cup with coffee and inspiration!  

Join a community conversation around the ciritical importance of childcare and early childhood education to our community. 

An expert panel will share data around the current childcare capacity on the Space Coast and how that is impacting families and employers, as well as data about the proven positive impact early childhood education has on a child's future performance in school and life. weVENTURE WBC and the Early Learning Coalition will share information on how we are working together to support childcare businesses and home-based childcare, including announcing new scholarships for our IGNITE 360 business mentoring program, thanks to grant from Wells Fargo. 

• Childare Capacity in Brevard County - current quality and quantity, as well as a projection of needs. 
• Information about the new Age of Learning program being implement in all VPK classrooms. 
• The importance of early childcare on the labor force. The need for a variety of care options to help ensure parents can continue to work. 
• New weVENTURE WBC initiatives to help launch and grow more childcare businesses on the Space Coast! 

We invite the community to participate in this important discussion - employers, parents, community organizations and business leaders - as this industry impacts all others! 

We are also excited to offer FREE admission to those working in the childcare industry, thanks to sponsorship from Age of Learning.  Qualifying individuals can use the discount code "CHILDCARE" when checking out. 

Agenda:

8:30-9:00AM Networking and Coffee

9:00AM Welcome Remarks

9:15-10:00AM Presentation

10:00 - 10:30 Networking

Brewing Connections, Building Futures!

Join weVENTURE Women's Business Center and the City of Port St. Lucie for a Strong Coffee Strong Women event.

Accelerate your growth, expand your network, and be empowered by the wisdom of experienced women. Join us for The Power of Mentorship, a purposeful networking event over coffee where we spotlight the life-changing role mentors play in business and leadership.

At weVENTURE, we believe mentorship isn’t a bonus — it’s a foundation. Through our IGNITE 360® mentoring program, peer groups, coaching, and leadership development, we’ve seen women transform ideas into thriving businesses.

Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or scaling to the next level, this event will help you:

• Connect with seasoned professionals eager to guide and support
• Hear real stories of mentor–mentee impact
• Explore how weVENTURE’s programs and services can elevate your trajectory
• Start conversations that can become partnerships, collaborations, or lifelong guidance

Enjoy delicious coffee with other women in our network at the beautiful Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens while you fuel your ambition and ignite your potential!

Agenda:

9-9:30AM Networking and Coffee

9:30AM Welcome Remarks

9:45-10:30AM Presentation

10:30 - 11:00 Networking

 Stay for a botanical garden walk directly to follow the event, courtesy of Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens! Small donations will be accepted and appreciated.

Learn how to overcome anxiety in networking and sales situations by learning how to leverage the principles of improv to respond confidently and make positive connections.

Learn how to apply the rules of improv to energize your sales meetings—and become more confident at networking events.

Improv “rules” can help train you to approach every conversation as a positive opportunity to engage with others.

For example,

• Rule #1: Say "YES, AND" ... learn how to further the conversation.
• Rule #2: Build up, don't block conversations. Foster positive interactions!  
• Rule #3: There Are No Wrong Answers. Learn to make the best out of any conversation!
• Rule #4: Make Space For Everyone to Participate. Learn to really engage with new contacts and have meaningful interactions

Anybody interested in improving their communication skills or becoming more comfortable at networking is welcome to register.

A class for the reluctant networker!

Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited to 15 attendees. This is a FREE event!

Led and hosted by Kelly Swartz of Widerman Malek and Funky Dog Improv. This informal training will be located at the Widerman Malek office, 1990 W New Haven Ave #105, Melbourne, FL 32904.