On Thursday, August 7th, women from across Mississippi gathered at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson for the Mississippi Economic Development Council’s (MEDC) Inaugural Women’s Summit. This powerful, day-long event brought together thought leaders, business owners, economic developers, and changemakers to learn from one another, share stories, and spark action around supporting women in leadership—and in life.
Hosted in the museum’s first-floor auditorium, the summit was a celebration of collaboration, storytelling, and innovation across industries. With sectors represented ranging from ports and tourism to education, finance, aviation, and entrepreneurship, the message was clear: Mississippi women are leading in every corner of the economy.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
The summit opened with a warm welcome from Mary Martha Henson, Deputy Director of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, who helped plant the seeds for this gathering.
“This profession continues to grow with women,” Henson shared. “And when you think about the core of what we do as economic developers—we are the connectors, the collaborators, and the conveyors. Today is about giving ourselves permission to dream big, think bold, and do something different. We want every woman here to leave with her cup filled, not emptied.”
Elevating Women in the Workplace
The day’s first panel, moderated by Lindsay Ward, Economic Development Director for Pearl River County Economic Development District, explored the realities of supporting women in the workforce. Panelists Rosa Beckett, CEO of Jackson Municipal Airport Authority; Suzy Hays, President and CEO of C Spire; and Sarah Ozbun, CEO of Delta Lodging Group, offered powerful personal stories and insights—from navigating IVF and breast cancer to redefining mentorship and managing motherhood with leadership.
Highlights included:
- Ask yourself: what glass ball can you not drop? Some days it’s work, some days family.
- You get to choose joy or not. Decide what kind of life you want. No one is a victim.
- Think about the cost of inaction. What will it take to stay where you are?
- Not everything in life deserves 100%—and that’s okay.
- We all have a responsibility to elevate each other.
- Flexible work isn’t a luxury—it’s a validated model for productivity and well-being.
- The workplace becomes more human when leadership makes room for real life.
Their conversation also emphasized how workplace flexibility post-COVID isn’t just possible—it’s necessary.
How to Tell Your Story
Moderated by Kristi Brown, Training & Development Consultant at the Tennessee Valley Authority, the second panel dug into the art and necessity of storytelling. Panelists Emily Moore, Founder of Moore Media Group; Kimberly Nastasi, Vice President of Integrated Communications & Stakeholder Engagement at Ingalls Shipbuilding; and Amanda Wells, Founding Partner of The Tell Agency, encouraged women to embrace their voices and speak with authenticity.
Key messages included:
- Being able to tell our stories with heart is what makes us powerful.
- Your story isn’t for everyone—just like you’re not for everyone.
- You are your brand. Vulnerability is not weakness. It’s strength.
- The world would be boring without stories—your voice adds texture, depth, and connection.
- When you own your challenges, you give others permission to do the same.
- Real relationships in business start with genuine connection—ask about the pets, the vacations.
- Know your value and own your seat at the table.
- Vulnerability empowers teams—it’s not asking for sympathy, it’s asking for understanding.
- Storytelling isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategy for building momentum, changing policy, and opening doors.
Panelists shared deeply personal moments—from recovering from a bad car accident to navigating dyslexia in a communications career—illustrating how transparency fosters leadership and connection.
The Intelligence of Leadership: Innovation, Integrity, & Influence
Following lunch, keynote speaker Kerry McBride, a retired CIA executive, delivered a dynamic talk on the core traits of effective leadership. Drawing from her decades of experience—including as one of the first women deployed to Afghanistan—McBride emphasized the importance of leading with authenticity, building skill over résumé, and owning mistakes as a pathway to growth.
She underscored the power of adaptability, cultural awareness, and clear communication, especially when working in diverse, high-stakes environments.
McBride encouraged attendees to define their leadership style by staying rooted in their values, showing up as their whole selves, and raising their hands even when they don’t feel ready. She reminded the audience that confidence is often built in action—not before it.
“Successful leaders,” she shared, “are innovative, resilient, and curious. They play to their strengths, embrace change, and make time for each other.”
Her closing note resonated deeply: at a women’s summit like this, the façade often falls away—and that’s where real leadership begins.
Scaling and Growth: Building a Business that Makes a Difference
The final panel, led by Lauren Gurtowski, Business Expansion & Retention Representative at Entergy Mississippi, spotlighted three powerhouse founders who have successfully scaled their businesses while staying rooted in purpose.
Panelists included Leigh Bailey, President of Salad Days, a hydroponic farming operation known for innovation and sustainability; Monica Harrigill, Co-Founder and Managing Member of The Sunray Companies, a diversified company with investments in hospitality, retail, and wellness brands; and Teresa Hubbard, President and CEO of CITE Armored, a Mississippi-based manufacturer of customized armored vehicles.
Each panelist offered hard-won insights into what it takes to grow a business without losing sight of your values or vision. From hiring with intention to adapting to market shifts, the conversation highlighted the importance of resilience, integrity, and cultivating strong internal cultures.
They also addressed:
- Maintaining core values as your team expands—even when scaling fast.
- Navigating unexpected challenges—from economic pressures to leadership transitions.
- The critical role of support networks—whether through mentors, industry peers, or local chambers.
- Empowering your team to lead—and knowing when to step back so others can step up.
Whether managing multi-location businesses or building from the ground up, each panelist demonstrated that growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of integrity—instead, it can be a powerful opportunity to reaffirm your mission, strengthen your culture, and deepen your impact.
Closing Reflections
In her closing remarks, moderator Kristi Brown brought the day full circle, reminding attendees that the stories and insights shared weren’t just inspirational—they were actionable. The summit served as a launching pad for deeper connection, bold leadership, and lasting collaboration among women working to shape the future of Mississippi’s economy.
Thank you to the Mississippi Economic Development Council and Jackson County Economic Development Foundation for organizing such a meaningful and memorable inaugural event. We look forward to seeing how this summit continues to grow and uplift women across the state.
