By Natalia Wilson
Still swooning over the abundance of genuine smiles, engaged conversations, and connections that occurred in the short 4-hours of the LEND360 Woman in Fintech Event that I was fortunate to have an imprint on. I am so grateful Liz and the entire Online Lenders Alliance Team trusted me with big ideas while our sponsors wholeheartedly supported us in turning those ideas into a vibrant reality. The energy and enthusiasm of that evening reverberated throughout the entire conference in the days that followed. ♥
I’d like to offer a snippet of my opening speech here, with the aim of extending that positive energy and encouraging MORE creation of genuine, human-to-human connections.
“A women’s event isn’t just about coming together to wear pink, drink mimosas and enjoy some yummy food, although I am not sad that is part of it. It is a place to empower, network, educate, inspire, build a community, promote business and entrepreneurship, enhance mental and physical health, advocate for change, celebrate achievements, embrace diversity and inclusion, exchange skills, and explore market opportunities.
If you don’t already know me, nice to meet you. If you do know me, here are a few things you may not know about me. I’m a Type-1 Diabetic, and I can’t emphasize enough how thankful I am for the marvels of modern technology, particularly my insulin pump. This is because I also happen to be an ardent food enthusiast. I’m all about savoring an array of flavors that tantalize my taste buds. In the past, I used to keep my diabetic journey tucked away, but now, I’ve come to embrace it openly. It’s even allowed me to have heart-to-heart conversations with others who’ve shared their own health challenges, creating a bond based on shared experiences.
Family is the absolute most important thing to me and although my husband and I would have adored having a family of our own, it simply wasn’t in our destiny. Nonetheless, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to be embraced by a large family including 23 nieces and nephews, and even one great-niece! We adore, spoil, and love each and every one of them. The added bonus is that we can indulge them with sugary treats and then happily return them to their parents, allowing us to indulge in another one of my passions: travel. ✈ At the conclusion of this conference, my husband and I embark on a journey through New England to enjoy a scenic road trip through Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. These states mark the final leg of my quest to visit all 50 states by age 40, a milestone I’ll reach next week!
Through my act of vulnerability and sharing my story, I aspire for it to inspire all of you to forge deeper and more meaningful connections with me and with each other. Let’s boot those generic “Hey, how’s it going?” and the customary, “I’m good, how about you?” exchanges that often culminate in the slightly awkward “Alright, see you next time” cycle of conversation. Today, we gather here with the shared goal of supporting and uplifting each other… Let’s make this event not just a moment in time, but a continuous source of empowerment, conversation, and growth for all of us.”
I’d like to extend a heartfelt invitation to all the wonderful women who were a part of this event, those who have heard about it, and anyone who simply feels drawn to be part of this meaningful conversation. I invite you to share one special thing about yourself in the comments. Let’s ignite a vibrant and authentic exchange that celebrates the incredible tapestry of our shared experiences as human beings. Let’s SEE BEAUTIFUL together. 🤗
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This post originally appeared on LinkedIn
