Lisa Nichols and Cindy Owens were two high-powered female leaders who met through a local forum for women in leadership: Lisa as CEO of Technology Partners and Cindy as CEO of The American Red Cross at the time. The two became fast friends and learned they had more in common than leadership; they shared faith in Jesus.
The two decided they would join a forum of fellow Christian business women together, as well. Yet, after months of searching, they realized no such network existed in St. Louis. So, they did what two energetic, female leaders do and started their own network. This is how The Rooted Sisters, an International 501(c)(3), formed in St. Louis during 2015, along with their friend, Tina Wesley.
The mission of The Rooted Sisters is to provide a safe place to educate, equip and empower Christian businesswomen to grow in a closer, more intimate relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.
Now, in its eighth year, The Rooted Sisters is comprised of a network of 400 female leaders, from St. Louis to Singapore, who meet regularly. They gather for Bible Study, fellowship events, such as local Happy Hours, and produce recognized events locally, including the Christian Business Women’s Breakfast and the “Faith-Fueled” Mastermind Retreat.
The first annual Christian Business Women’s Breakfast took place in 2017 with 325 women in attendance. Now, in its sixth year, they expect nearly 1,000 women gathered together on Nov. 7, at The Crossing, a church in Chesterfield.
The Rooted Sisters have welcomed acclaimed Christian speakers and music artists, from Dove-Award winning musician, Tasha Layton, to Hope Heals Founder, Kathryn Wolf, to their breakfast. This year, they welcome best-selling author and former CMO for Starbucks, Emily Chang, as their guest speaker. They will rally around this year’s theme, “Salty & Bright,” where they will be encouraged to radiate light in the Marketplace.
“We have found that women across the nation yearn for connection with other like-minded Christian women in business. This is exactly why The Rooted Sisters was created,” says Cindy. And so, women from across the region will gather together in November to form meaningful connections through caffeine-fueled fellowship, prayer and worship.
The Rooted Sisters participants also have seen an overwhelming response to their breakfast from local and international partners, ranging from our local JOY FM station to Cigna. The word continues to spread about the breakfast and the group at-large, and they continue adding sisters to their family each month.
In addition to their annual breakfast, their passionate board of directors is busy planning their annual “Faith-Fueled” Mastermind Retreat for 2024. This will take place April 26-29 at the famous Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. The retreat in the Missouri Ozark Mountains will overlook sparkling Table Rock Lake.
The Rooted Sisters’ Faith-Fueled Retreat is a very unique mastermind experience with a whole-life focus. They invite female leaders to refresh, refocus and release in this special time and space. The retreat is designed to catapult women in leadership to spiritual and professional victory. Through engaging, interactive sessions on business, health and wellness, and spiritual
growth, the Faith-Fueled Retreat helps female leaders master their God-given vision.
Their goal is to help them return to intentionality in how they lead. They believe this
starts with each woman as an individual.
Tickets for 2023 Christian Business Women’s Breakfast and information about the 2024 Faith-Fueled Retreat can be viewed and purchased online.
