Growth & Jobs |Woman Ignite Success Summit returns with a call to ‘Elevate’
Published:Tuesday | January 6, 2026 | 6:24 PMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer
At a time when many women are navigating uncertainty, rebuilding after disruption, and repositioning themselves for what comes next, the Woman Ignite Success Summit (WISS) 2026 is returning with a timely and resonant message: ‘Elevate’.
Now in its fifth staging, the summit will take place on Saturday, January 31 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, bringing together a powerful cross-section of female leaders from across Jamaica and the diaspora.
Hosted by the Woman Ignite Foundation, WISS has grown into a respected annual gathering for entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, executives, creatives, founders, faith leaders, and emerging changemakers; women who are actively shaping industries, building businesses, leading teams, and influencing communities.
What sets WISS apart is the diversity of voices and lived experiences represented in the room. Attendees typically include start-up founders, business owners, senior managers, consultants, therapists, educators, ministry leaders, creatives, and women preparing for their next leadership leap.
This year’s theme, ‘Elevate’, signals a shift from survival to stewardship, calling women to refine their leadership, strengthen decision-making, and operate with clarity and confidence in increasingly demanding environments.
Founder Keneshia Nooks Blake described the WISS as intentionally designed for women who are already doing the work but are ready to rise higher.
“Women are carrying businesses, households, teams, and communities. Elevation is about strengthening how we lead, how we build, and how we show up without losing ourselves in the process,” she said.
She added that WISS 2026 is particularly relevant as many women reassess their goals following years of economic shifts, burnout, and personal transition.
“We are seeing women who are no longer just asking how to survive, but how to steward influence, manage growth, and sustain impact,” Blake said. “That is the heart of Elevate.”
A major draw of WISS 2026 is its carefully curated speaker line-up, which blends regional and international perspectives across leadership, faith, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, and personal development.
This year’s summit will feature speakers including Apostle Stephanie Okafor, Pastor Sara Cowan, Brittainy Noel, Prophetess Sarah Smith, Shani McGraham-Shirley, along with other respected leaders spanning faith, business, wellness, and personal development.
Together, these voices will guide attendees through conversations and experiences focused on leadership development, mental wellness for high-performing women, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, resilience, financial management, and navigating growth without burnout.
“We are intentional about who we place on the platform,” Blake noted. “Our speakers are not only accomplished; they are grounded, credible, and deeply aligned with the realities women are facing right now.”
Sessions are designed to speak directly to women carrying significant responsibility — whether in business, ministry, family or community — who are seeking clarity, balance, and renewed direction.
The WISS 2026 programme includes keynote addresses, panel discussions, interactive workshops, coaching moments, and wellness-focused sessions, creating a balanced experience that addresses both performance and sustainability.