PRESENTS
Have you been searching for a change?
We always feel like we are looking for something, don't we?
What if we could move Forward Together?
We can.
Join us at our third annual New Hampshire conference for women
who are ready to move forward together, with a community of support, mentorship, and guidance.
Join us as we move from inspiration to action.
The last two years were incredible - are you ready to do it again?
If you said Hell, yeah…
Why you need to block September 26, 2025 on your calendar today...
Forward Together 2025 Agenda
8:00am Networking Breakfast & Registration
Join us for breakfast to kick off your day and meet other attendees before this immersive experience.
8:45am Welcome & Mindful Preparation
Candice Benson will kick off the day and get us ready for what lies ahead with some mindful preparation.
9:00am A Life of Leadership: A Fireside Chat with Emily Gray Rice & Edna Conway
Edna Conway returns this year for an intimate conversation with Emily Gray Rice as they explore Emily's remarkable journey as a civil leader. This is an opportunity to hear firsthand from a dynamic leader who has made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals.
10:00am Tap into Worthiness...and the life you deserve
Gail Jones will guide you in releasing internal blocks and creating empowering new beliefs for MOVING FORWARD into your best life using an advanced energy psychology tool, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).
10:45am Menopause: You are not crazy!
Noor Al-Humaidhi, MD, Doctor & Menopause Specialist will ground us with the foundational knowledge to empower us to ask better questions about women's reproductive health and then walk us through strategies to help navigate these changes.
11:30am Practicing Relationship Strategies that Build Trust at Work & Home
Candice Benson will share essential communication, conflict resolution, and trust-building skills for work and life. By reframing conflict as a growth opportunity, we will explore conscious communication and diverse resolution approaches.
12:15pm Mindful Movement
Deb Jurkoic will guide us through mindful movements to get our bodies moving and our energy flowing after a morning of immersive learning.
1:45pm Mentoring Circle
Engage in a live mentoring session where we will walk through challenges from our fellow attendees guided by a coach with the support of our amazing community.
2:30pm Empowered Finances: Navigating Your Path to Financial Fitness
Financial fitness is not just about making and saving money; it's about empowering yourself to make informed decisions and build a secure future. This session will explore key strategies to take control of your financial health, specifically tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women.
3:15pm Networking & Cocktail Hour
We will take a break to sip on your favorite mocktail or cocktail of choice and spend more time connecting with each other.
4:15pm From Setback to Success: A Journey of Empowerment Through Career Transition
Melissa Jurkoic will share her personal journey of resilience, transformation, and empowerment as she navigated a successful career transition allowing her to take control of her professional destiny.
5pm Closing
Let's close out the day with a plan to take action and move forward together.
Check out who we had speak in 2024
Dr. Kelley Misata
Empowering Yourself with
Knowledge and Authenticity
Kelley will share her personal story around how she conquered years of stalking while always staying true to herself and transforming terror into triumph.
Dr. Kelley Misata, a distinguished cybersecurity expert, was recognized as a finalist for the Cybersecurity Woman of the Year. She is the Founder and Chief Trailblazer of Sightline Security, and holds leadership positions as President at the Open Information Security Foundation (OISF) and Senior Director of Open Source at Corelight. Dr. Misata's expertise spans cybersecurity, specializing in network security, security operations, assessments, and the strategic use of open-source technologies. She is adept at conveying complex security concepts to diverse audiences, making her a leading figure in the field.
A respected global speaker, Dr. Misata is dedicated to improving cybersecurity practices
within underserved enterprises, nonprofits, and community sectors through Sightline Security.
Her significant contributions to OISF, Corelight, and her work with the Tor Project demonstrate her deep expertise in open-source and network security.
Driven by her personal experience with cyberstalking, Dr. Misata's commitment to
cybersecurity is profoundly personal. She holds a Ph.D. in Information Security from Purdue University, along with a Master's in Business Administration and Marketing, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Bentley University. Her comprehensive educational background and professional accomplishments establish her as a pivotal leader in cybersecurity innovation and advocacy.
Bernadette Blake, MA, LICSW
Real Talk about Menopause:
What Your Mom
Didn't Tell You
Bernadette will focus on demystifying an often neglected topic of women's health and sexual wellness.
Bernadette M. Blake, MA, LICSW is the Founder and Primary Clinician of Mulberry Harbour Counseling and Coaching, which is located in historic downtown Exeter.
She enjoys working with adults going through major life transitions, and those who want to identify and achieve their goals.
She is interested in helping clients gain increased insight and understanding of those transitions and goals -- particularly when they are associated with reproductive events such as pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause, or other related life experiences.
Pasha Marlowe, MFT
Creating a
Neuroinclusive Culture
Pasha will offer specific tools and resources for people to be able to effectively and compassionately support a neuroinclusive culture at work, schools and home.
Pasha Marlowe, MFT (she/they) has worked as a trauma-informed marriage and family therapist and coach for neurodivergent clients for the past 30 years. She is on the front lines, talking to individuals, couples, and groups, about the specific challenges of living, loving, and learning with a neurodivergent mind. Pasha speaks with organizations and ERG groups to improve allyship and cultures of neuroinclusion and neurobelonging. Her favorite work is in small group training with organizations on ways to hire, retain, and celebrate neurodivergent employees through the lens of intersectionality and neuroqueering.
Pasha has spoken several times at the International CHADD ADHD Conference, Seacoast Leadership, the Maine Women’s Conference, and neurodiversity summits around the world. She is a lead coach on the Inflow and Tiimo apps. Pasha is also an author, podcast host, and comedian. She has 53 years of experience as a queer, disabled, autistic ADHDer and is excited to empower parents, partners, teachers, coaches, therapists, doctors, and employers to advocate for neurodivergent people. She lives in Cumberland, Maine with her youngest son, co-parent, and two doodle dogs.
Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA®
Revolutionizing the Way You Think About Your Money and Success
Hazel will empower you to redefine what financial success means to you, explore connections between money and overall well-being, and inspire you to make decisions that align with your personal values and goals
Hazel Secco is the founder and CEO of Align Financial Solutions, LLC, with over a decade of experience in the financial industry. As a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Hazel is deeply committed to advocating for women's financial wellness. Her mission is to empower women through education, helping them make informed and confident financial decisions.
Driven by her own experiences with financial instability and family dynamics, Hazel founded
Align Financial Solutions with a clear goal: to elevate women’s wealth and well-being. She understands that financial health is deeply personal and strives to address each client’s unique
path and values. Hazel is not just a financial advisor; she’s a mindful partner in simplifying your financial life and enhancing your overall well-being.
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Cyrena-Marie Arnold
What is Your Working Genius?
Cyrena will teach us how to leverage our own unique genius and understand our gifts & frustrations
Cyrena has worked as a meteorologist for over 20 years. She has worked for NASA contractors, installed weather stations on the remote Alaska tundra, was the Director of Summit Operations for the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory and was an NH1 News TV Meteorologist.
She is now the Chief Marketing Officer for reThought Insurance. In 2019, Cyrena was named to the Union Leader's "40 Under 40" and was the NH Tech Alliance's 2019 TechProfessional of the Year. She has also written a children’s book called, “The Weather Story”, and is Mrs. New Hampshire 2022..
Candice Benson
Making Changes Stick
Candice will share how to create a positive MAP “momentum action plan” to create action based goals and achievements
Candice Benson, CEO of Benson Consulting Inc., is a certified Change Manager, Project Management Professional and Process Improvement Specialist. Her 20+ years of experience in project management and people change management has spanned multiple fields including Academia, Technology, Utilities, Finance, Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Non-Profits.
Candice, a true Change Agent, is certified in Change Intelligence (CQ®), a Project Management Professional (PMP®), a Prosci Change Practitioner and Trainer.
Dr. Jennifer Edwards
Mentoring Circle
Jennifer will facilitate a live coaching session with participants from our audience as we work through challenges together.
Jennifer is a renowned mindset and leadership coach, speaker, and veterinarian. She is passionate about conscious leadership and energy, and helping people cultivate empowered choice in how they show up, experience, and create their lives.
With a background in psychology, experience building a multimillion-dollar veterinary practice, and extensive training in self-development and coaching, Jennifer brings a unique combination of experiences to professional and personal growth.
Through private coaching, group training, and customized workshops, Jennifer helps professional women create the self-awareness needed to overcome obstacles and reach previously elusive goals. She can help you transform challenges into achievement, and create a life full of purpose, happiness, and success.
She proudly serves as the chair of the Wellness Committee for the NH Veterinary Medical Association.
For more information visit www.drjenniferedwards.com.
Melissa Jurkoic
Master of Ceremonies
Melissa will guide us throughout the day and help us process each session with intention to move forward
Melissa has worked in the tech industry for over 20 years in roles ranging from Junior Software Engineer to her current role as the Chief Experience Officer at Thynk.Cloud.
Always driven by her passion to have a positive impact on the decline of women in STEM education and careers, she has volunteered with organizations globally including ChickTech, Everwise, WITI, NH Tech Alliance, Microsoft DigiGirlz, wiseHer, Girl Scouts, and AnitaB.org.
She continues to pursue opportunities every day to advocate, educate and encourage women and girls to pursue careers in technology.