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.

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 critical 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.

· Childcare Capacity in Brevard County - current quality and quantity, as well as a projection of needs. # non-profit vs for profit

o Laura Gambino, CEO Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County

· 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.

o Rick Banciella, Director, Business Engagement for Bosses for Babies, The Children's Movement of  Florida

· Information about the new Age of Learning program being implement in all VPK classrooms.

o Susan Provost, Age of Learning, Inc.

· Conversation about barriers to entry or challenges existing businesses face

o Workforce

o Costs associated with center care

o Regulatory environment

· 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

 About the panelists:

Laura Gambino is the Chief Executive Officer of the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County. She has served in that role since 2019, bringing over twenty years of nonprofit experience and management expertise. As the CEO, Laura has led the agency through transformation and growth during the period of change and environmental challenges. She is responsible for a staff of more than 40 and manages the statewide contract providing childcare subsidies and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programming for more than 10,000 children and families in Brevard County with an annual budget of $39 million dollars.

Ric Banciella has led The Children’s Movement of Florida’s Bosses for Babies initiative for the past two and a half years. Through this effort, he and The Movement are building a statewide network of business and community leaders who champion early childhood by advancing family-friendly workplace policies. Under his leadership, the network has grown to include more than 120 leaders across Florida.

Susan Provost is the Florida Account Executive for Age of Learning, bringing over 27 years of experience in early childhood education and EdTech to her work with schools and districts across the Southeast U.S. A former early learning teacher with a lifelong passion for literacy and learning, Susan partners with the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard to implement Age of Learning’s evidence-based programs, including My Reading Academy and My Math Academy, in VPK classrooms throughout the county.

Get ahead of the game for next year with the Marketing Plan Bootcamp! This is a virtual workshop ready to equip you with exactly what you need. This bootcamp is perfect for businesses in any industry that need direction and a game plan for 2026. The session involves hands on activities so attendees leave the webinar with a draft marketing plan for 2026!

Marketing Plan Bootcamp is facilitated by Tina Lange, weVENTURE WBC Advisory Board member and the owner of Tina's Clarity Mindset Coaching.  Tina is an experienced marketing professional, working for over 25 years helping businesses large and small meet their strategic goals through effective marketing.

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.

weVENTURE WBC invites everyone in our network to the annual year-end success celebration and open house. Come celebrate our program graduates, thank our mentors and investors, and meet the team! No agendas, no presentations, just networking! Stop in a for a quick hello or stay awhile and enjoy yourself! 

Open House is from 2-6pm on Thursday, December 11th at the weVENTURE WBC office, on the first floor of the Florida Tech College of Business 2202 S. Babcock Street, Melbourne, FL. Registration is not necessary, but always appreciated! 

Thank you to Kelly Swartz and Widerman Malek for sponsoring our Open House! They have been integral to the success of our programs and we couldn't be more thankful for their support.

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.

Do you have a great business idea but no idea where to start?

weVENTURE has what you need!

The IGNITE 360® PATHWAYS Business Launch Program is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their concept into a successful business. The program includes 4 weeks of intensive coaching and support. With this dual-focused strategy, you get the information you need along with the support you want to help turn your ideas into a reality and launch your start-up with greater success!  Led by weVENTURE WBC staff and featuring presentations from local subject matter experts, this is a fantastic option for entrepreneurs who want to be able to ask questions, talk through challenges and benefit from deadlines and accountability support. 

Dates:  February 7, 14, 21 & 28 8:30am - 10:30am

Location: 2/7 in-person, 2/14, 21, 28 online (in-person is at weVENTURE)

The Pathways Program covers the fundamentals of business development, from business planning and strategy development to financial management and marketing. Participants receive live instruction, take-home resources, one-on-one business coaching, access to industry experts, and a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs to journey along with.

So if you're ready to take your business concept to the next level, register for the IGNITE 360® PATHWAYS Business Launch Program today. You'll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to turn your dreams into a thriving business.

Program size is limited. Talk to your weVENTURE WBC Business Coach today!

Your Cost: $50 (Program is $100 and partially funded thanks to Bank of America!)

Do you have a great business idea but no idea where to start?

weVENTURE has what you need!

The IGNITE 360® PATHWAYS Business Launch Program is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their concept into a successful business. The program includes 4 weeks of intensive coaching and support. With this dual-focused strategy, you get the information you need along with the support you want to help turn your ideas into a reality and launch your start-up with greater success!  Led by weVENTURE WBC staff and featuring presentations from local subject matter experts, this is a fantastic option for entrepreneurs who want to be able to ask questions, talk through challenges and benefit from deadlines and accountability support. 

Dates:  October 3, 10, 17, 24   8:30am - 10:30am

Location: 10/3 in-person, 10/10, 17, 24 online (in-person is at weVENTURE)

The Pathways Program covers the fundamentals of business development, from business planning and strategy development to financial management and marketing. Participants receive live instruction, take-home resources, one-on-one business coaching, access to industry experts, and a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs to journey along with.

So if you're ready to take your business concept to the next level, register for the IGNITE 360® PATHWAYS Business Launch Program today. You'll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to turn your dreams into a thriving business.

Program size is limited. Talk to your weVENTURE WBC Business Coach today!

Cost:  $40