There’s something powerful that happens when women gather with intention. At this year’s Emerge Women’s Leadership Summit, over 150 women came together to connect, learn, and grow, all centered around one simple but profound theme: on purpose.

From the start, the energy in the room was undeniable. Women from every stage of life and career came ready to be inspired and to reflect on what it truly means to live and lead with purpose, personally and professionally. The sessions challenged us to think beyond titles or to-do lists, to realign with the “why” that drives us each day.

And then, the unexpected happened. The power went out.

For two full hours, our summit went dark, literally. But instead of letting it derail the day, something else took place. The conversations got deeper, the laughter got louder, and the message of “on purpose” became more real than ever. Speakers raised their voices without microphones, participants fanned one another with programs, and we continued, not perfectly, but purposefully.

That moment became a metaphor for leadership itself: when chaos hits, purpose keeps you grounded. It reminded me that leading, whether in business, family, or community, isn’t about having perfect conditions; it’s about showing up with resilience and adaptability.

Personally, I learned how to pivot in the midst of the unexpected and coordinate large groups of women with calm and confidence. I saw firsthand the power of collaboration and how women naturally rise together when faced with challenges.

When the lights finally came back on, we didn’t miss a beat; we cheered. Because the Emerge Women’s Leadership Summit wasn’t just an event. It was an embodiment of our theme.

We lived the day on purpose.

As I reflect on it now, I’m reminded that purpose doesn’t just guide our careers; it shapes how we respond, how we lead, and how we lift others up when things don’t go as planned. And if this summit taught me anything, it’s that women, when aligned with purpose, are unstoppable, even in the dark.