Empowering Women in Leadership: Insights from PCH Hotels’ Panel Discussion

PCH Hotels hosted a dynamic and heartfelt panel discussion focused on women in leadership, highlighting real-world experiences, hard-earned lessons, and powerful personal stories from three inspiring women who’ve carved their own unique paths to success.

Moderated by Melissa Chambers, Senior Leader at PCH Hotels with over two decades in hospitality, the panel featured:

• Stephanie Smith, CEO of Cogwheel Marketing & Analytics
• Tina Watkins, Director of Sales & Marketing at Renaissance Montgomery
• Lori Ward, Owner of Fairhope Juice Company and former pharmaceutical executive

Together, these women shared their personal definitions of leadership, the value of mentorship, and what it really takes to lead teams, families, and communities with clarity and compassion.

Topics discussed:

• The role of mentors and how to build meaningful mentor relationships
• Identifying and embracing your leadership style through tools like the DISC profile
• Navigating career transitions, from corporate to entrepreneurship
• Balancing family life and high-performance careers
• Cultivating team culture and collaboration
• Handling conflict with intention and awareness
• Lessons learned from poor leadership, and how to lead differently
• The power of humility, consistency, and ambition in leadership

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