Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 3:30-5:30 PM
Gillespie Conference Center 53995 State Hwy 933, South Bend, IN 46637
Own It. Build It. Lead It. An ATHENA Women's Leadership & Empowerment Experience with Kim Gravel
Join the Chamber, in partnership with presenting sponsor Athora Law Group, for Own It. Build It. Lead It.—an uplifting and energizing women’s event designed to inspire, educate, connect and empower. You'll learn to build confidence, create opportunity and define success on your own terms. It will feature a dynamic keynote from Kim Gravel, TV personality, author and entrepreneur. Gravel will share her journey from Miss Georgia to reality star to founder of her own women’s apparel, beauty and home décor lines on QVC. Kim will share powerful insights on confidence, growth and personal success followed by an engaging Q&A session offering attendees the opportunity for meaningful conversation and takeaways.
Guests will enjoy networking before and after the program in a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere featuring cocktails, mocktails, appetizers, music and opportunities to build authentic connections with women from across the community and business landscape.
The event will also celebrate excellence and impact through the presentation of the prestigious ATHENA Organizational Leadership award, recognizing a business or nonprofit that is actively supporting, developing and elevating women in the workplace and throughout the community.
Whether attending with colleagues, friends or on your own, participants will leave informed and educated, motivated and supported. Created for women of all backgrounds and career stages, this event is meant to be fun, engaging, motivational and inspirational — a celebration of leadership, connection and the power of women supporting women!
Event Timeline
3:30-4:00: Check-in, networking; refreshments, cocktails
4:00-4:45: Keynote from Kim Gravel
4:45-5:00: Q&A with Kim Gravel
5:00-5:10: ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award
5:10-5:30: Door prizes, networking, refreshments
Keynote Speaker
Kim Gravel is an entrepreneur, television personality, author, speaker, and one of QVC’s most successful brand founders. She first rose to prominence as Miss Georgia, becoming one of the youngest women to earn the title, and later gained national recognition as the star of Lifetime’s Kim of Queens. Known for her bold authenticity, humor, and empowering message, Kim has built a career inspiring women to embrace confidence and live fully as themselves.
In 2016, she launched Belle by Kim Gravel on QVC, followed by her beauty brand Love Who You Are and home décor brand Kim Gravel HOME, helping grow a business that has generated more than $1 billion in sales. She was named to the Forbes 50 Over 50 Lifestyle list and honored as QVC’s 2024 Vendor of the Year.
Kim is also the author of Collecting Confidence and host of The Kim Gravel Show, where she speaks on faith, family, purpose, and personal transformation.
Cost & Registration
$20 per person, includes one drink ticket, entry for door prizes & more!
Pre-registration is required. No walk-ins. Thank you.
General admission/open seating for attendees. Sponsor partners will have assigned seats.
Sponsorships
Interested in being a sponsor?
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities on our Sponsorship Page or connect with Director of Strategic Partnerships Ryan Boeskool at 574.400.4010.