In honor of International Women’s Day, California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) proudly hosted the 3rd annual Women’s Business Conference on Friday, March 6, 2026. Presented by the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) in partnership with CSUCI, the sold-out event featured powerhouse keynote speakers sharing their stories of overcoming adversity to achieve their goals.
“We are thrilled to support this meaningful event that elevates women’s voices, shares leadership insights and cultivates connections across sectors,” said Susan Andrzejewski, CSUCI Interim President. “This conference reflects our commitment to fostering community partnerships and advancing opportunities for women in business and beyond.”
The Warrior Spirit: Graciela Casillas
“Lighting someone’s candle is not going to diminish yours,” stated keynote speaker Graciela Casillas, kicking off the conference with a message of abundance and unity. A four-time World Martial Arts Champion, celebrated mentor and advocate for confidence-building, Casillas shared her inspiring path to success in the "fight world"—a field historically dominated by men.
Aligned with the conference theme, “Rising Together,” Casillas spoke about the ironclad determination required to pursue one's goals.
“Once you set your mind to something, do not allow anyone to distract or dissuade you,” she told the enraptured audience. “Surround yourself with people who are going to support you.”
Reflecting on her career, Casillas noted that being a woman was never a hindrance.
“Being a woman was not my limitation, it was my strength,” she declared. She challenged the notion that women in business must compete for a single seat at the table, noting that there is "a lot of room for everyone at the top." She urged attendees to pivot from competition to sisterhood: “When women rise alone, it’s powerful; when we rise together, we’re unstoppable.”
Casillas’s resilience was forged in the ring and in the classroom. Growing up as one of eight children to parents from Mexico, she was raised with a relentless work ethic.
“My father would tell us to ‘get out and work; don’t be lazy,’” she recalled. Her mother was a pillar of strength who encouraged her to see education as a “tool for freedom.” Casillas took that advice to heart, earning two master’s degrees—one in Physical Education and another in Counseling and Guidance—all while juggling the demands of a young family as a single mother.
This lived experience led her to a profound realization about the corporate world.
“Motherhood is leadership,” she noted. “Who knows more about strategic foresight, crisis management, resource allocation, risk assessment and inclusive leadership than a mother?” She argued that these skills, often unappreciated or undervalued at home, are perfectly translatable to any profession.
Her ultimate advice to the women in the room was to stop seeking validation from external systems.
“Believe you can be a great leader and value yourself enough to not ask permission—at home or at work.” Casillas lived this by opening her own martial arts school and writing a book without waiting for an invitation. Facing obstacles in the fight world where promoters sometimes refused to let female fighters be photographed, she traveled the globe from Thailand to Hong Kong, using adversity as fuel. “In the martial arts academy, there is no problem without a solution. We’re here to help you!” she concluded, receiving a resounding standing ovation.
The Trailblazer’s Playbook: Sylvia Acevedo
The afternoon keynote featured Sylvia Acevedo, a transformational leader and former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, who shared her journey of “transforming possibility into probability.” Born in South Dakota and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Acevedo’s early life was marked by hardship—living in a rental house on a dirt road with 11 people and only one bathroom.
“How did that girl grow up to be me?” she asked, reflecting on her path to becoming one of the first Hispanic students to earn an engineering degree from Stanford. Her journey began with a pilot Headstart program and a local Girl Scout troop. Because her family couldn’t afford the fees, she sold cookies, learning a lesson that would define her business career: “Never walk away from a sale until you hear a ‘no’ three times.”
Acevedo’s career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) was a testament to "clarity, courage and conviction." When she first arrived, the facility lacked women's restrooms; undeterred, she rode a bike to other buildings until a porta-potty was installed. Her tenure at IBM followed a similar pattern of initiative—she started by moving office furniture but constantly "raised her hand" for extra jobs. Her data-driven presentations eventually led to massive production increases and caught the attention of C-Suite executives.
Beyond her corporate success at Apple, Autodesk and Dell, Acevedo spoke movingly about using gratitude and forgiveness to overcome family tragedy. She eventually returned to her roots at the Girl Scouts, where she engineered a "STEM revolution," introducing cybersecurity and coding badges that have since been earned by over one million girls.
“Gratitude powers renewal,” she told the crowd, challenging them to consider how they, too, could add value to the world.
Practical Empowerment and Community Impact
Between the powerhouse keynotes, attendees engaged in a hands-on workshop led by Lindsey Carnett, CEO and President of Marketing Maven. Her session on "Mastering Your Personal Brand," provided participants with the tools to communicate their unique value in a crowded marketplace.
Nicki Parr, CEO of Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), moderated a dynamic panel of local leaders who explored the economic impact of women-led businesses. The session highlighted the importance of community engagement, with Jennifer Caldwell of Food Share of Ventura County serving as the event’s master of ceremonies.
The corporate community also showed strong support, with Stacy Sutton of Procter & Gamble, a conference sponsor, emphasizing the company’s commitment to being a partner in the region.
“Students are the future,” Sutton noted. “Learn, lead and make a difference.”
Closing Thoughts
As the conference drew to a close, the energy in the room was electric. Andy Conli, President and CEO of the WVCBA, summarized the event’s purpose: “This year’s theme, Rising Together, highlights stories of women who’ve overcome adversity to make an indelible impact on their businesses and communities.”
From the "underdog" mentality of the martial arts ring to the "rocket scientist" precision of the boardroom, the message of the day was clear: Through failure, we learn what to do differently, and through community, we find the strength to do it. The 3rd annual Women’s Business Conference at CSUCI didn't just highlight achievements; it provided a roadmap for the next generation of leaders to build their own legacies without asking for permission.