.png)
INSPIRE
Be encouraged by the stories of other leaders in your community.
EMPOWER
Build a network with our strong and dynamic community of women.
INNOVATE
Learn tips, tricks, and life hacks to incorporate into your day-to-day life.
ENGAGE
Join a community of women
who are passionate about
personal growth.
ABOUT ROAR 2026
We are proud to share that the 10th Anniversary ROAR Women's Symposium will be held on
Friday, March 27, 2026 at the Alliance Convention Center in Burlington.
​
WHY ROAR?
Here, we celebrate women — the doers, the dreamers, the changemakers, and world-shakers. Featuring a networking session, panel discussions, and dynamic speakers, the Women’s Symposium connects and empowers women of all walks of life to share their stories, build their networks, and unlock their potential. Your This symposium is the perfect opportunity to grow with, learn from, and become inspired by women inside and outside of your field.
​
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS.
All attendees will be served a light continental breakfast and lunch buffet. If you have any dietary needs (i.e, allergies, restrictions), please notify the Chamber through email.
ROAR EMAIL ADDRESS:
2026 AGENDA
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026
7:30am
Doors Open & Breakfast Available
“Sock Market” Vendor Marketplace Opens
Sponsored by: Burlington Sock Puppets
8:45am
Symposium Kickoff
Reagan C. Gural, President & CEO, Alamance Chamber
9:00am
ROAR Talk, “Part of Your World”
Tami Kress
9:30am
​Fireside Chat: “Making Space: Showing Up to Belong”
Tracey Grazyer & Kathy Hykes
Session Sponsored by: Triangle Grading & Paving
10:00am
“Sock Market” Vendor Marketplace Break
Sponsored by Burlington Sock Puppets
10:30am
Fireside Chat: “Legacy in Motion”
Dr. Jean Rattigan Rohr & Kimberly Romero
Session Sponsored by Elon University
11:00am
ROAR Talk: “Time, Memories & Grace”
Robyn Hadley
Session Sponsored by The Vernon Law Firm
11:30am
Poetry Reflection: “When I Was A Little Girl”
Mtende Roll
11:40am
Networking Lunch & “Sock Market” Vendor Marketplace Open
Lunch Provided by Pepper Moon Catering
1:00pm
Keynote Session:Lisa Sun, Founder & CEO, Gravitas/Author, Gravitas “Choosing Self Confidence & Finding Your Superpower”
Presented by LeAndra “Nikki” Ratliff
2:00pm
Sip & Social/ Speaker Meet & Greet & “Sock Market”
Vendor Marketplace Open
Book Signing with Lisa Sun
Hospitality Sponsor: TAPCO, Sips Sponsor: Tanner’s Wine Bar
3:00pm
Symposium Concludes
Thank you for Attending!
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
​
Meet the woman helping redefine confidence for women everywhere. Lisa Sun, Founder & CEO of GRAVITAS and bestselling author of Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence, is taking the ROAR stage. Her message is powerful, relatable, and deeply inspiring—designed to help women rise with authenticity, courage, and purpose. As ROAR celebrates 10 years of empowering women, Lisa’s message is the perfect reminder of how far we’ve come—and how powerful we can become.​
LOCAL SPEAKERS
Showcasing powerful voices from
our own community
This year’s Local Speaker Series features two intimate fireside chats, a moving live poetry reading, and two dynamic ROAR Talks — each designed to inspire connection, spark courage, and highlight the impact happening right h
ere at home.
This isn’t just another event you attend and forget. ROAR is a room filled with momentum, ambition, and the kind of energy that changes the trajectory of your year. We have powerful speakers bringing real insight, real strategy, and real stories you can actually apply.
​
-
Dr. Jean Rattigan Rohr
-
Kimberly Romero
-
Mtende Roll
-
Robyn Hadley
-
Tracey Grazyer
-
Kathy Hykes
VENUE
1214 Turrentine St.
Burlington, NC 27215
The Prosperity Hall of the Alliance Convention Center is home to this year's Women's Symposium. This convention center offers 13,000 square feet of space, which can accommodate more than 900 guests.
​
To offer an enhanced marketplace for vendors to display resources, sell products, and interact with attendees, vendors will be setup in the Inspiration Hall directly next to Prosperity Hall.
SPONSORSHIP
​ROAR wouldn’t be the same without the support of incredible sponsors.
Their dedication to empowering women and strengthening our community plays
a vital role in bringing ROAR to life. We’re grateful for their partnership as we
celebrate 10 years of inspiring women to lead with confidence and purpose.​
Presenting Sponsor
Event Champion
Stage Sponsor
Event Advocate
Sips Sponsor
Photography Sponsor
Event Partner
Vendor Marketplace Sponsor
Event Advocate
Photo Booth Sponsor​
Speaker Accommodations Sponsor​
The Inn at Elon
Branding Partner
Carolina Custom Promotions
Hospitality Sponsor
Technology Access​​
Event Advocate
Speaker Sponsor
Vernon Law Firm
Speaker Sponsor
Triangle Grading & Paving
Speaker Sponsor
Elon University
Corporate Sponsors​
Alamance Community College • American Honda Motor Co., Inc. North Carolina
Balanced Bookkeeping of NC • Bobbitt • DeeTox Skin, Laser and Wellness
Dudley Realty Group - KW Central • Fairway Home Mortgage/The Renuart Team
Fidelity Bank • First National Bank • Gilliam Bell Moser LLP • Glen Raven, Inc.
JAN-PRO of the Triad • Labcorp • Prime Personnel Resources Inc. • Roll Construction
Suntamers Window Tinting • The Sunburst Strategies Co. • Truliant Federal Credit Union
COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Planning the Details
2026 COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Allison Gant, The Blue Ridge Institute
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Edna Parker, LabCorp
Emily Denisar, Bobbitt Construction
Tracey Grayzer, Impact Alamance
Reagan C. Gural, Alamance Chamber
Sarah Hardin, Alamance Community College
Anna Hicks, Glen Raven, Inc.
Kelly McKinney, Elon University
Nikki Ratliff, Burlington Housing Authority
Kelly Roberts, Alamance Chamber
Kristin Simon, Cone Health
VENDOR MARKETPLACE
Addison Rose Aesthetics
Alamance County Public Libraries
Alamance-Caswell Builders Association WIB
Anchor Travel Experts
AuthoraCare Collective
Burlington Sock Puppets
Calming Hands Massage
CrossRoads
EMBER Co-Working
Emm + Ell Style Bar
European Wax Center
Excel with Me
Eyemart Express
Favored Fitness
Fleet Feet
Floor Coverings International
Gravitas NYC
Gelah Couture
Grace Nicole Designs LLC
Illume Boutique
Knot Your Average Events
Katie Smith Photography
Linked By Faith
Lush Designs
Mtende Roll Poetry
NC Fusion
Paradigm Homecare Inc.
Pink Lola
Poppy Willow & Co
Provident Wealth Management
Sir Speedy Printing
Snapshot Social
Surfwood Interiors
Sursy
The Blend
The Health Bar
The Sunburst Strategies Co
Twin Lakes
Upside Aerial Arts & Fitness
Whole Child Behavioral Interventions
Women’s Resource Center
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Providing equal, affordable access to menstrual hygiene products for all.
We will be collecting items for the Period Project as our 2026 responsible business activity. The need of these supplies for girls in our local school system is high, and the impact of your donation is great. Below you will find a list of items that will be collected at the ROAR event. We encourage all attendees to bring as many items as you like.
-
Menstrual Pads (Please ensure these are menstrual pads and are NOT designed for incontinence. Items need to be in packaging that states individual wrapped.)
-
Underwear Liners
-
Tampons
-
Boxes of Ziplock Bags (Quart sized)