On April 10th, more than 50 women and one very intentional man gathered at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs for ELEVATE 2026. And what unfolded wasn’t just an event.

It was a reminder. A reminder that when you bring people together with intention, something shifts.

More Than a Room – It Was A Community in Motion

From the very beginning, there was energy in the room. Not surface-level networking, but real connection.

Women from across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys showed up representing different industries, life stages, and leadership journeys. And yet, there was a shared thread: A desire to connect, grow, and belong.

And then there was Vince. RFL Alum Vince Savage, a retired psychologist, joined us as the only man in the room. He came with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen—to better understand the experiences women are navigating today in families, workplaces, and communities. His presence mattered. Because bridging doesn’t start with speaking. It starts with listening.

Voices That Grounded and Inspired

This year’s speakers didn’t just deliver content – they brought truth.

Jamie Abbott reminded us that creativity is more than expression, that it’s a pathway to belonging. Through art, we build identity, connection, and shared meaning. Gail Schwartz offered perspective shaped by years of leadership, service, and navigating complex systems through grounding us in what it really takes to lead with purpose. Cindy Dady connected it all to real-world leadership and what it looks like to build cultures where people feel seen, valued, and engaged.

Together, they didn’t present polished perfection. They shared real experiences and that’s what resonated.

Connection Before Content

At RFL, we believe leadership development doesn’t happen by sitting back and listening. It happens through interaction.

Throughout the afternoon, participants engaged in conversations, reflection, and connection activities that reinforced a simple but powerful idea: Belonging is something we create. From small group conversations to spontaneous moments between sessions, the room became a space where people could show up as they are—and be met there.

The Bridging Wall: A Collective Reflection

One of the most powerful elements of the day didn’t come from the stage. It came from the wall. The Bridging Wall told the story of the room: honestly, vulnerably, and without filters.

Many women weren’t just talking about external roles, they were naming internal shifts. A strong theme wasn’t “either/or” – it was “both/and. The Bridging Wall revealed that women aren’t just seeking advancement. They are seeking alignment, connection, and wholeness.

Across dozens of handwritten hearts, a few powerful patterns emerged:

Each participant completed the sentence: “I am bridging ______ and ______.”

And what emerged was a visual representation of what women are holding right now: Fear and courage, Ambition and balance, Who I’ve been and who I’m becoming, Strength and vulnerability, and Disconnection and belonging. It told a deeper story. Not just about leadership, but about being human. It reminded us that no one is standing still.

What We’re Really Building

ELEVATE continues to grow, but not just in numbers. It’s growing in depth, in honesty, and in impact. Because this isn’t just about professional development.

It’s about creating spaces where:

  • People feel seen and heard
  • Conversations go beyond the surface
  • Leaders are invited to reflect, not just perform

This is where connection becomes community.

The Work Continues

The real impact of ELEVATE doesn’t end at 6:00 PM.

It shows up in what happens next: The conversation you continue…..The perspective you shift…..The courage you bring into your leadership. These elements are rooted in the very purpose of the event: to help leaders build stronger, more inclusive communities through connection and belonging.

Because bridging isn’t a one-time experience. It’s a practice. And with each step across the bridge, we expand what’s possible – for ourselves and for each other.

Final Thought

As the afternoon transitioned into connection and laughter during the closing hour, one thing was undeniable: This community is building something meaningful.

And whether you were one of the 50+ women in the room—or the one man committed to listening—you were part of it. Bridging passion and purpose isn’t just how we grow individually. It’s how we strengthen the communities we all share.

If you missed ELEVATE this year, stay close. This is just the beginning.