2026 Women’s Business Summit:
Sharing our Stories
September 16 | Andover Country Club
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Experience the Summit
Hosted by SCORE of Northeast Massachusetts
Inspire Your Inner Entrepreneur
Women now own more than 40 percent of all US businesses and are launching new enterprises at nearly double the rate for those owned by men. Many see entrepreneurship as a more effective route to influence, autonomy, and long-term wealth verses traditional corporate positions. Running a business or nonprofit also requires its own mindset and set of skills. Especially for women.
Community That Fuels Growth
SCORE NEMA’s 2026 Women’s Business Summit brings together an unparalleled group of business leaders, mentors, and partners to specifically help women entrepreneurs succeed. Whether you’re mulling over a startup or growing your organization, you’ll find inspiration from the journeys your peers are taking. You’ll learn today’s best practices for running your own show and tapping into the right community resources to support your growth. You’ll leave with new ideas, tools, and contacts for the road ahead.
Early Sign Up Offer
This event sells out every year. So sign up now! Be one of the first 30 to register and you’ll receive a complimentary headshot album (a $75 value) at the event.*
* Headshots provided by Halide Photography Album includes 3-6 headshots. All other attendees will get a complimentary headshot and a discount rate of $75 for an album.
Agenda
September 16
Andover Country Club
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
9:00 - 10:00 am
Arrival ~ Coffee & Conversation
10:00 - 10:15 am
Welcome
10:15 - 11:00 am
Morning Keynote: Pathways to Success
Kip Hollister is the award-winning CEO of The Hollister Group– one the most successful staffing and leadership-development organizations in the Northeast. She knows first-hand how challenging the entrepreneurial journey can be for women.
11:00 - 11:30 am
Pivotal Partners
Hear from no-cost or low-cost partners that can accelerate your success.
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Lunch and Roundtable
Enjoy a buffet luncheon and conversation with your fellow attendees. Twists and turns are inevitable for every entrepreneur. We invite you to share strategies you have discovered, invented, or adopted to meet these challenges.
12:45 - 1:30 pm
Afternoon Keynote: Learning to Pivot
Angela Pitter, CEO of LiveWire Collaborative, will share how staying curious, listening to market signals, and evolving her business helped fuel her entrepreneurial growth. From launching a business before social media went mainstream to guiding organizations through a rapidly changing economy, Angela’s story proves that success means being ready for new adventures.
1:30 - 2:15 pm
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Local entrepreneurs share the moments that inspired them to start a business and the key factors that propelled their success. Panelists include:
Valerie Bono-Bunker (Golden Cannoli)
Suzanne Dubus (Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, Inc.)
Betsy Frost (Betsy Frost Design)
Alvah Parker (Moxie's Scrubs)
2:15 - 2:20 pm
Closing Remarks
2:20 - 3:00 pm
Grow Your Network
The Summit concludes with the chance to share top-of-mind takeaways with your peers and connect with program speakers.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
Patron
