When it comes time to put the MPI World Education Congress (WEC) agenda together, the MPI team is tasked with making sure it ticks all the boxes—educational, inclusive, engaging, impactful, memorable and perhaps the most difficult box to tick of all: new.
This year at MPI WEC June 18-20 in St. Louis, MPI is introducing “Learning Journeys” to the WEC agenda, four unique offsite experiences that are free with a WEC registration and aim to “immerse attendees in real-world environments that combine education with a strong sense of place.”
The first-of-their-kind sessions put a new spin on education, offering dynamic conversations, hands-on learning experiences and leadership by local changemakers and experts that are designed to offer fresh perspectives, spark ideas and deepen connections.
Running from 2-5 p.m. CT on Thursday, June 19, the four Learning Journeys are the following:
- “The Role of Events in Black History, St. Louis” at the Missouri History Museum
- “Power of Play, Transform Your Meetings & Events With Games” at the City Museum
- “Executive Three | Sixty: Disruption, Neuroscience and the Science of Happiness” at Washington University in St. Louis
- “Women in Business: A Journey of Resilience & Connection” at Energizer Park
Sponsored by Encore and hosted by MPI in partnership with Courtney Stanley, host of the Dare to Interrupt podcast and creator of Women to Watch, and Connie Cay-Santos of HER Seat at the Table, the “Women in Business: A Journey of Resilience & Connection” Learning Journey at Energizer Park will give attendees the chance to “celebrate, collaborate and focus on resilience in the world of women in business.”
Open to women, peers and allies, this Learning Journey is designed to foster meaningful connections, encourage discussions on diversity, shed light on finding and climbing the corporate ladder and discover what it really looks like to find success in business.
[Listen to the Dare to Interrupt podcast hosted by Courtney Stanley.]
The World of Women in Business: A Q&A With Courtney Stanley
To unpack her Learning Journey and dive deeper into the world of women in business, Meetings Today connected with Stanley for an in-depth Q&A to discover what went on behind the scenes to bring this Learning Journey to life. Read on for a preview from Stanley herself about some of the topics to be discussed at "Women in Business: A Journey of Resilience and Connection," and advice she’s learned from her personal experiences as a woman in business.
Meetings Today: When you designed your Learning Journey, "Women in Business: A Journey of Resilience & Connection," what did you prioritize and who did you keep in mind?
Courtney Stanley: When Connie Cay-Santos, [MPI’s] Jessie States and I designed “Women in Business: A Journey of Resilience & Connection,” our priority was to create an experience that empowers every person in the room. No matter who walks in, we want them to feel seen, heard, supported—and deeply inspired. This isn’t just an event; it’s a space to breathe, to belong and to rise.
Meetings Today: How did you design the program to leave attendees with an actionable takeaway or discovery, and what do you hope that discovery is?
Courtney Stanley: We designed every detail with intention. It’s not just about learning; it’s about real, lasting impact. We aim to create moments that are practical and deeply vulnerable. We invite attendees to take off the masks they wear every day, to speak truthfully and to connect in ways that feel honest and real. We are bringing in bold, brilliant voices who do the same, offering not just insights, but unfiltered wisdom. We also built in time for self-reflection and gratitude, so everyone leaves with a clearer sense of who they are, what they want and what’s next.
[Related podcast: Dare to Interrupt: The Work Within: Reclaiming Your Reflection]
Meetings Today: What role does resiliency play in the world of women in business, and why are you shining light on this in your Learning Journey?
Courtney Stanley: Resilience is not optional. Every woman I know has faced setbacks—and every woman I admire has decided to rise anyway. Confidence isn’t built in ease. It’s built when we fall and choose to rise again. That’s why we created space in our learning journey for women to share not just their wins, but their comebacks. Because when you hear someone else’s story of resilience, you start to believe in your own.
Meetings Today: Why is it important for women in business to not only share career success stories, but also stories of vulnerability?
Courtney Stanley: When we only share the highlight reel, we miss the most powerful part of the story. Vulnerability—the pain, the missteps, the lessons—is what makes success meaningful. It’s how we connect. When we’re honest about the full journey, we remind others they’re not alone in theirs, and that’s where real community begins.
Meetings Today: How does authentic connection add to the journey of being a woman in business? How does it change the experience?
Courtney Stanley: Authenticity is the bravest thing we can offer the world. When we remove the mask and show up as our full selves, we give others permission to do the same. That’s how real, lasting connection happens. That’s how we lead without abandoning who we are. And when we choose authenticity over approval, we not only change our own experience, we change the entire culture.
Meetings Today: How do you go about finding a mentor?
Courtney Stanley: Mentorship begins with connection, and connection starts with intuition. Trust who you’re drawn to. You don’t need the same job title, but you do need shared values. Look for people who tell you the truth, cheer you on and walk beside you when things get hard. These are the people who help you become who you’re meant to be.
Meetings Today: Is it important to also have male mentors?
Courtney Stanley: We need mentors who challenge us, stretch us and help us see beyond what’s familiar. That means looking beyond gender or background. Some of the most powerful growth comes when we invite mentors into our lives who see the world differently than we do—because that’s where transformation begins.
[Related podcast: Dare to Interrupt: The Voice of Gen Z: Mentorship, Boundaries and Imposter Syndrome]
Meetings Today: What do you think women can learn from the traditional male experience of navigating the business world?
Courtney Stanley: Traditionally, men in business are taught to be assertive—to negotiate boldly, to network with ease and to speak with confidence, whether or not they check every box. Imagine what would be possible if women embraced that same audacity. We’d raise our hands higher. We’d speak our truth louder. We’d stop holding back—and start lifting others with us.
Meetings Today: What do you think women should change or do differently than the traditional male experience of navigating the business world?
Courtney Stanley: Instead of comparing ourselves to traditional male models of leadership, we focus on owning what makes us powerful. If you’re naturally empathetic—lead with it. If you’re bold—speak up and help others find their voice. Our power lies not in fitting in, but in being fully ourselves and mastering what makes us unique.
Meetings Today: How is it different for white women when it comes to navigating the business world and empowerment in contrast to women of color?
Courtney Stanley: As a white woman, I recognize that I don’t have to code-switch to belong in most professional spaces—and that’s a privilege. In many business settings, the dominant culture is still white, and that means women of color often feel pressure to adapt. The best thing we can do is recognize that truth, uplift diverse voices and co-create spaces where every culture is welcomed, not silenced.
Meetings Today: What is one thing you know now that you wish you would’ve known at the beginning of your career?
Courtney Stanley: Shrinking to fit in, silencing your voice or dimming your light only holds you back. When you abandon your authenticity, you abandon your power. What sets you apart is exactly what makes you unforgettable, and the sooner you own that, the more unstoppable you become.
But authenticity needs the right environment to flourish. Surround yourself with leaders and cultures that celebrate who you are, where you're encouraged to grow—not expected to shrink to fit a mold you were never meant for.
[Related podcast: Dare to Interrupt: Working Moms, Battling Burnout and What We’d Tell Our Younger Selves]
Meetings Today: What advice do you have for young women just coming into the industry, or the business world in general?
Courtney Stanley: To young women stepping into this industry or the business world: Know who you are. Own your worth. Use your voice—even when it shakes. Lean into every opportunity to grow. Stay humble—but never small. Dream big—but don’t dream alone. Share your vision. Ask for help. Contribute boldly. And do the work to discover your purpose, because that is how you make an impact.
Meetings Today: What was the most eye-opening experience you had that formed your worldview today regarding women’s empowerment in the industry?
Courtney Stanley: One of the most eye-opening experiences that shaped my worldview around women’s empowerment was realizing how much access—and opportunity—still hinges on who’s willing to open the door for you.
Early in my career, I was fortunate to have two male mentors who didn’t just offer advice, they actively used their influence to advocate for me. They invited me into rooms I didn’t even know existed, spoke my name in spaces where I had no presence and gave me the kind of visibility that changed everything.
It opened my eyes to the reality that talent isn’t always enough—someone has to see you, believe in you and choose to bring you forward. That moment taught me two things: First, never underestimate the power of sponsorship. And second, once you’ve been given that kind of access, it becomes your responsibility to hold the door open for others.
True empowerment isn’t just about climbing—it’s about reaching back and lifting as you rise.
Meetings Today: What do you remind yourself of every day, or often, that keeps you on track as a woman in the business world?
Courtney Stanley: I remind myself every day that my purpose is not just to lead, it’s to serve. That purpose is my compass.
But no one is meant to walk this path alone. The people who lift us up, who say our names in rooms we’ve never entered, who remind us who we are on the hard days; those are the people who make purpose sustainable. You’ll go farther, serve deeper and create more impact when you invite others into the journey.
To learn more about “Women in Business: A Journey of Resilience & Connection” and register to attend the Learning Journey, click here.
