Inspired by 100 Women Strong’s nearly 20-year commitment to women and children, we invite you to Elevate 2025. In addition to incredible keynote speakers and engaging panels, summit attendees will engage in interactive discussions and meaningful networking, and a chance to get to know the 100 Women Strong mission even better. This event is not only for women looking to be empowered and to empower others; we welcome allies to join us on this day of enrichment to help in elevating the lives of women and children across our region.
There are 100 Women Strong Member and non-member rates. Please select non-member if you are not a 100 Women Strong member. If you are interested in learning about becoming a member, click here.
Engage in collaborative conversation and meaningful networking with other changemakers who care about our community.
Tune into insightful panels with industry experts to discuss root causes, attainable solutions, and how to rally allies. Plus, learn more about the 100 Women Strong strategic giving circle and its mission.
Change doesn’t happen sitting still — and this Summit will give you the opportunity to insert yourself into the discussion.
Our speakers and panelists will equal parts inspire and offer insights with educational talks centered around mental health.
Founder & CEO, Black Empowerment Community Council (BECC)
100 Women Strong Member
Colette Jane Fehr, LMFT, LMHC, NCC
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Couples Therapist, Writer & Speaker,Colette J. Fehr Counseling Services
The Connection Cure: Building Authentic Relationships for Better Mental Health
We’re living in an era of unprecedented disconnection, with a loneliness crisis that’s not only devastating our mental health, but is also shortening our lives. We know relationships are the key to longevity, yet so many people are still struggling to truly connect. Despite constant digital communication, we often lack the deep, fulfilling friendships that are essential for good mental health. Nonstop distraction, the glorification of busyness, and surface-level small talk can leave us feeling unseen and alone. The solution is authentic connection. Through science-backed strategies—asking meaningful questions, becoming better listeners, and embracing vulnerability—we can foster friendships that don’t just improve our well-being but also strengthen our communities. Because at the end of the day, the greatest predictor of our mental health isn’t how many people we know—it’s how deeply we are known.
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Colette Jane Fehr is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and nationally recognized relationship expert. She is the co-host of the popular podcast Insights from the Couch: Mental Health at Midlife, a TEDx speaker, and the author of The Cost of Quiet: Why Avoiding Conflict Harms Our Relationships and How Speaking Up Can Save Them, forthcoming from Penguin Random House in February 2026.
Colette’s expertise has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Oprah Daily, and other major media outlets. She is the past president of the Central Florida Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and maintains a thriving private practice in Baldwin Park, where she specializes in couples therapy.
Cherlette McCullough, LMFT
Licensed Therapist in Florida and Texas, Entrepreneur, Speaker & Media Correspondent,Center Peace Couples & Family Therapy
From Panic to Purpose: Creating a Culture of Mental Wellness & Connection
We often wear masks, projecting strength while struggling inside. Mental health isn’t just personal, it’s a community issue affecting our relationships, careers, and well-being. This presentation explores how unprocessed grief, societal pressures, and technology fuel anxiety and burnout. By shifting from panic to purpose, we can break the stigma, prioritize mental wellness, and create real change starting with ourselves and extending to the communities we lead.
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Cherlette McCullough is the visionary founder and CEO of Center Peace Couples and Family Therapy in Winter Park, FL. A highly regarded licensed therapist, she empowers women and couples to navigate life’s challenges, holding dual licensure in Florida and Texas. Cherlette is a recognized leader in mental health, actively addressing the emotional and economic impacts of mental illness with compassion and expertise.
Her insights have made her a sought-after expert, with frequent appearances on ABC Action News 6, WESH-2, and as a featured relationship expert on three episodes of TV One’s #1 show, Fatal Attraction. Cherlette is also the author of W.I.N.K: What I Need to Know After the Breakup, offering transformative guidance for individuals healing from breakups and divorce.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cherlette is a devoted wife and proud Orlando Magic fan who cherishes time with her family.
Mental health is a lifelong journey, shaped by the experiences, relationships, and challenges we face at every stage of life. This insightful panel will explore mental well-being from childhood to senior years, examining how our needs and support systems evolve over time. Experts will discuss key mental health concerns for children and teens, the role of family dynamics in emotional wellness, and the unique challenges faced by older adults. Through personal stories, research, and practical strategies, this discussion will highlight how we can foster resilience, access resources, and create a culture of support for mental health at every age. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or advocate, this session will offer valuable perspectives on nurturing mental wellness across generations.
MODERATOR
Christi Ashby
CEO, Editor & Publisher, Orange Appeal; 100 Women Strong Member
PANELISTS
Karla Radka
President and CEO, Senior Resource Alliance
Dwight Bain
Founder and Executive Director, The LifeWorks Group Inc.
Jamie Merrill
President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida
Panel: The Intersection of Mental Health and…
Mental health does not exist in isolation—it is deeply connected to the world around us. This thought-provoking panel will examine how mental well-being intersects with key societal influences, including social media and technology, navigating reconciliation in challenging civic climates, and the impact of crises such as addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. Experts will explore how these factors shape mental health, the barriers they create, and the opportunities for support and healing. Join us for an engaging discussion on the complexities of mental health in today’s world and how we can foster resilience, understanding, and meaningful change.
MODERATOR
Ahad Bandealy
Founder and Chief Digital Officer, Keel Digital
PANELISTS
Lindse Murphy
Executive Director, The Women's Edge
Rachel Allen
Executive Director, Peace and Justice Institute
Aura Lynn-Rouse
Founder/CEO, Angels of Mercy Ministries
Thank you for supporting local women and children!
A community favorite of past Summits, we’re continuing our tradition of having nonprofit tables set up so you can get to know local organizations who support women and children. If you would like a table to share about your organization during Elevate Summit 2025, please fill out this application. Space is limited and not all organizations will be assigned a table.
100 Women Strong
100 Women Strong is a strategic giving circle dedicated to improving the lives of women and children. As the area’s only philanthropic organization built on women-only leadership, collective giving and collaborative grant-making, 100 Women Strong harnesses its unique perspective and collective power to tackle the biggest challenges affecting women and children, identify their root causes and create innovative solutions in collaboration with community partners.
Visit our website here.
Sign up for our newsletter here.
Central Florida Foundation
As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors.
Visit our website here.
Sign up for our newsletter here.
This agenda will continue to be updated as we get closer to Elevate Summit!
Sandi Vidal
VP of Community Strategies and Initiatives
svidal@cffound.org
800 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1700
Orlando, FL 32803
p. 407.872.3050
© 2025 Central Florida Foundation