The Big I CT Insurance Women’s Summit is back, and this year, we’re bringing a fresh perspective to the conversation.

Join us for a dynamic day of connection, inspiration, and skill-building designed for women across the insurance industry. From meaningful networking and engaging discussions to practical takeaways you can apply immediately, this summit is built to help you grow both professionally and personally.

We’re excited to introduce a new group of panelists to our “No Bad Questions: Real Talk” session, featuring accomplished Connecticut women entrepreneurs outside of the insurance industry from businesses that you may already know! From fashion, distilling, and travel, these women are innovators, business owners, and customers themselves. Through anonymous Q&A and honest dialogue, they’ll share insights on leadership, resilience, customer experience, and navigating challenges at every stage of business and life.

You’ll also gain actionable tools in our interactive workshop, “From Tension to Teamwork: Communicating Effectively with Anyone,” focused on intergenerational communication and handling difficult conversations with confidence. Stay tuned for more details on our other sessions– but trust us, it’s worth the wait.

And remember, whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned professional, this summit is your space to connect, reflect, and level up alongside a powerful community of women.

We can’t wait to grow stronger with you!

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SCHEDULE.

Time	Schedule	Speakers
9:30 AM	Registration & Welcome Coffee Enjoy complimentary coffee, continental breakfast, and a fun mimosa & juice bar.
10:00 AM	Kickoff & Speed Networking
10:30 AM	Keynote | Forgiveness as a Superpower: From Grudges to Growth Presented by Claudia St. John, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Founder & CEO of The Workplace Advisors Blending deeply personal stories with practical insight, Claudia reveals how letting go of grudges isn’t about excusing others—it’s about freeing yourself to grow, lead, and thrive. In this inspiring session, she shows why forgiveness matters, how to do it, and how it can unlock your best self.	Claudia St. John, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and the Founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors, a leading HR consulting, recruiting, and training firm specializing in equipping businesses with the consulting support and people skills they need to grow. The Workplace Advisors is proud to be Big I CT’s endorsed HR provider. Claudia is an SPHR (Senior Professional in HR), SHRM-SCP (SHRM Senior Certified Professional), and Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst who empowers organizations with evidence-backed insights, so they can navigate the evolving landscape of talent acquisition, engagement, and retention with confidence and foresight. Known as The Workplace Advisor, she helps organizations zoom out, shift their mindset, and build businesses that lead their industry.
11:30 AM	Fireside Chat | Breaking Barriers Angela Ripley, CIC, CRM, AIS, LUTCF, 2025-2026 Big “I” Chair, Owner & President of VW Brown Insurance Service Lisa Lounsbury, CAE, AAI, AIS, President of Big I Connecticut & Big I New York, Co-Founder of Catalyit Join two trailblazing leaders as they share candid stories, hard-earned lessons, and the strategies that helped them rise and lead in traditionally male-dominated spaces.	Angela Ripley, CIC, CRM, AIS, LUTCF, is the Owner and President of VW Brown Insurance Service in Columbia, Maryland, and was installed as Big “I” chair at the 2025 Fall Leadership Conference. With more than 25 years as an independent agent, she has held numerous national leadership roles, including Big “I” Government Affairs Committee Chair and Board Member, Maryland state InsurPac chair, and chair of Big I Maryland. She was appointed by President Barack Obama to the NARAB Board and served a three-year term on the Federal Reserve Board’s Insurance Policy Advisory Committee. Lisa Lounsbury, CAE, AAI, AIS, is President of Big I Connecticut and Big I New York, and co-founder of Catalyit, where she helps advance technology adoption for independent insurance agencies. Lisa is an active industry leader, serving on multiple boards, including the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) and the IIABA Diversity Council.
12:00 PM	Lunch
12:45 PM	Level Up a Skill | From Tension to Teamwork: Communicating Effectively with Anyone Jenna Rogers, Founder & CEO of Career Civility Jenna Rogers from Career Civility will provide a masterclass on the dynamics of intergenerational communication and navigating difficult conversations.	Jenna Rogers is the founder of Career Civility and a communication strategist dedicated to redefining how professionals connect and collaborate in the workplace. With a background in tech sales and leadership, she designs practical training programs that help organizations improve email communication, clarify expectations, strengthen team dynamics, and build more productive, engaged cultures.
1:45 PM	Break & Sweet Treat
2:00 PM	PANEL | No Bad Questions: Real Talk with Connecticut Women Entrepreneurs Mary Scasino, Founder of La Moda Fashions Alane Wilansky, Co-Founder & CFO of ARK Distillery Michele Dreiding, Owner of Here To The Moon Travel Introducing a new vibe this year… CT entrepreneurs outside the insurance space! All women who are pushing and thriving in the world, and personal and commercial customers themselves. Submit your questions anonymously, and our panel of incredible women at different stages of their careers and lives will share their thoughts. We’ll provide questions in advance to our panelists, including your submitted questions.	Mary Scasino is the founder of La Moda Fashions, a luxury women’s boutique that has served Connecticut for over 40 years. A seasoned entrepreneur, she has built her business into a community-centered brand focused on confidence, personal style, and relationship-driven retail. Through her commitment to “slow fashion” and empowering women, Mary has created a space where style and community come together. Alane Wilansky is the co-founder of ARK Distillery, a women-owned craft spirits business in Colchester, CT, known for its handcrafted vodka, gin, whiskey, and bourbon. With a background in finance and a passion for quality bourbon and community impact, she helped ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) as a brand rooted in craftsmanship, philanthropy, and local engagement. Michele Dreiding is a Connecticut native and passionate travel advisor who turned her love of exploring the world into a thriving career after transitioning from tech sales. With over a decade of experience in travel planning, she specializes in creating seamless, start-to-finish experiences that make the planning process stress-free and memorable.
3:00 PM	Moment at the Summit