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Swearington Empowered Leadership

Empowering emerging leaders to grow with purpose, balance & confidence: mind, body, and mission.

09/03/2026

💜 Meet Rooted & Radiant Panelist Erika Robinson-Watkins!

I still remember the first time I met Erika. We sat across from each other at FLUID Coffee Roasters - Valpo South and talked for more than an hour. I walked away from that conversation thinking, we are going to do something together someday. I just had no idea what that something would be.

During that first conversation, we talked about how everything we experience (the good, the hard and everything in between) helps bring us to where we are today. Nothing in our journey is really wasted. Every experience shape who we become and where we go next.

So, when I started putting together this year’s panel and thinking about women who could speak honestly about the journey, Erika immediately came to mind.

Her journey is pretty incredible.

Erika is a faith-grounded community servant, educator, youth advocate and childcare leader who has spent years strengthening families and creating opportunities for young people throughout Northwest Indiana. She serves as COO of Lisa's Safe Haven Child Care, LLC, has helped develop youth employment, mentoring and tutoring programs, and is an ordained minister and skilled grant writer.

In 2021, Erika also made history when she became the first African American woman appointed to the Valparaiso Community Schools Board, where she continues to advocate for students, equitable opportunities and community trust.

She holds three degrees in education, but what stands out to me most isn't just her résumé.

It's Erika.

She is one of those people who radiates positivity. She leads with purpose, genuinely cares about people, and is simply a bright light in this world.

Rooted & Radiant isn't about putting women on a stage because they have everything figured out. It's about bringing together women with real stories, the successes, challenges, pivots and experiences that have shaped who they are today.

I can't think of a better woman to be part of that conversation.

I guess I finally figured out what Erika and I were supposed to do together. 💜

Welcome to the Rooted & Radiant Women’s Empowerment Panel, Erika! ✨

Tickets still available - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooted-radiant-empowering-women-to-rise-in-every-area-of-life-tickets-1981446525898

09/02/2026

What is Rooted & Radiant actually like? 💜

I can tell you what I hope women experience when they walk through the doors—but it means a little more coming from someone who was actually there.

, Jaime attended last year with her sister and some of her closest friends, and this part of her reflection says it all:

“It wasn’t about telling women that they needed to change who they were. It was about giving women permission to take care of themselves, learn something new, connect with others, and feel empowered.”

THAT is Rooted & Radiant.

You don’t need to show up ready to reinvent your life. Come as you are. Learn something. Try something new. Make a connection. Give yourself permission to spend a day taking care of you.

And Jaime? She’s coming back. 💜

✨ September 27 | The Design Barn
Full-day + half-day options available
Tickets available here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981446525898?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/01/2026

💜 Meet Rooted & Radiant Panelist Hannah Hammond-Hagman!

One of the things I wanted when putting together this year’s panel was women who lead in very different spaces, because leadership doesn’t look just one way.

Hannah brings such an important perspective to that conversation.

As Executive Director of the Chesterton Art Center, Hannah has spent nearly two decades working in arts and culture. I love that I can pop in on a random Wednesday, buy her a muffin from Red Cup Cafe, and just chat with her about life!

What I love about Hannah’s work is her focus on relationships. She understands that strong communities aren’t built by one person or one organization, they’re built through partnerships, collaboration, and people willing to work together.

That is exactly the kind of perspective I want represented at Rooted & Radiant.

Our panel is about the real journey of leadership, the experiences that shape us, the lessons we learn, the challenges we navigate, and how we continue growing along the way.

I’m so excited for Hannah to bring the voice of arts, culture, creativity, nonprofit leadership, and community-building to that conversation.

💜 Welcome to the Rooted & Radiant Women’s Empowerment Panel, Hannah! ✨

Tickets can be purchased here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooted-radiant-empowering-women-to-rise-in-every-area-of-life-tickets-1981446525898

08/30/2026

Before the weekend comes to a close, take a minute to think about what filled your cup. 💜

Maybe it was time with people you love.
A quiet morning.
A really good pumpkin coffee.
Laughing until your stomach hurt.

Gratitude doesn’t have to be about the big things. Sometimes it’s just noticing the small moments we might otherwise move right past.

So, tell me…

✨ What are you grateful for this weekend?

Drop yours below. I’d love to hear it.

08/29/2026

✨ ONE MONTH TO GO! ✨

One month from today, we’ll be gathering at Rooted & Radiant 💜

A room full of women with different stories, different seasons of life, different experiences, and something to offer one another.

A day to step away from the noise.
To learn. To connect. To try something new.
To take care of yourself without feeling guilty about it.
We hope walk away seeing yourself, or what comes next, a little differently.

I can’t believe we’re officially ONE MONTH OUT, and I am so excited for what this day is becoming.

🌿 September 27 | The Design Barn

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is the time. Come spend the day with us. 💜

One month. One room. So many women worth knowing.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooted-radiant-empowering-women-to-rise-in-every-area-of-life-tickets-1981446525898

08/28/2026

We have a pretty great problem to have. 💜

We’re looking for a few more sponsors for Rooted & Radiant!

We have women in our community we want to bring into the room, and sponsorship support helps us make sure finances aren’t the reason they can’t be there.

If you or your business would like to sponsor Rooted & Radiant and help us create access for more women, I’d love to connect!

Know a business that might be a great fit? Tag them, share this post, or make an introduction. 💜

Let’s get more women in the room.

08/27/2026

I’m especially excited to introduce Beth Casbon as one of this year’s Rooted & Radiant Women’s Empowerment Panelists!

I have the privilege of serving alongside Beth on the Opportunity Enterprises Board of Directors, which has given me the opportunity to see firsthand the thoughtfulness, experience, and heart she brings to leadership and service.

Beth is an accomplished attorney and business owner with more than 30 years of experience working with hospitals and physician practices in healthcare finance, compliance, and leadership.

But what I especially appreciate about Beth’s story is that her definition of leadership extends far beyond her professional accomplishments.

She is deeply committed to philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, social justice, inclusion, and giving back to her community.

During our panel discussion, Beth will join an incredible group of women for an honest conversation about the things we don’t always hear about when we talk about leadership:

✨ Navigating difficult decisions
💜 Staying grounded in your values
🌿 Growing through different seasons of life and career
🤝 Using your influence to serve others
✨ Continuing to learn, evolve, and find purpose along the way

Because leadership isn’t only about the title after your name or the accomplishments on your résumé.

It’s also about how you show up. How you treat people. What you stand for. And what you choose to do with the influence you have.

I’m grateful to know Beth personally, to serve alongside her, and now to have the opportunity to welcome her to the Rooted & Radiant stage. 💜

08/26/2026

Rooted & Radiant is for:
The CEO
The business owner
The stay-at-home parent
The woman rebuilding
The woman returning to the workforce
The woman figuring out what comes next
The woman who looks completely capable on the outside but is quietly thinking, “I’m tired. I need something. I’m just not entirely sure what that something is.”

There is no level you have to reach to belong here.

No title you need to have.

No prescribed way to experience the day.

Come exactly as you are. Take what you need.

Hopefully you leave a little more grounded, a little more connected, and a little more willing to trust your own voice.

Because there’s enough room for all of us at the table, and if there isn’t, we’ll add a leaf and pull up another chair. 💜

08/25/2026

✨ NEW THIS YEAR AT ROOTED & RADIANT: SOUND HEALING ✨

💜I am so excited to bring something new to this year’s Rooted & Radiant experience!

Karla is a trauma-informed somatic breathwork and sound healing facilitator, and will be joining us to create an opportunity to do something many of us don’t do nearly enough:

Pause. Breathe. And simply be.

🎵 Through the soothing vibrations of sound, Karla will guide you through an experience designed to help:

🌿 Calm the nervous system
✨ Release stress and tension
💜 Reconnect with yourself
🌸 Restore a sense of balance and well-being

Never experienced sound healing before? That’s okay! You don’t need any experience, and you don’t need to know what you’re doing. Just come as you are and allow yourself to experience something new.

This is exactly what I mean when I say Rooted & Radiant is more than a conference.

Throughout the day, you’ll have opportunities to learn and grow, but also opportunities to slow down, explore different approaches to wellness, connect with other women, and take care of the whole person.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply pause... and listen. 💜

📅 September 27, 2026
📍 The Design Barn | Hebron, Indiana

🎟️ Sound healing is included with your Rooted & Radiant ticket - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981446525898?aff=oddtdtcreator

Visit Karla's webpage here - https://www.withkarlamichelle.com

08/24/2026

I stopped by Evexia Salt Cave & Spa, and we may have cooked up a little something for Rooted & Radiant !👀

I’m not giving it away just yet, but I think the vibe is exactly what you are looking for. ✨

And no, we’re definitely not salty about it. 😉

🎶 This video contains music from Shutterstock, licensed by Splice video editing app.

Address

260 South Franklin St Suite 101
Valparaiso, IN
46383

Website

https://swearington-empowered-leadership.org/, https://swearingtonempoweredleadership.myflodesk.com/wgqzbwfiny

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