ELLA - Empowerment, Leadership, Legacy, Amplify

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro St. Louis is proud to announce ELLA – Empowerment, Leadership, Legacy, Amplify, a transformative three-day conference dedicated to empowering female leaders, fostering economic equity, and inspiring the next generation of changemakers. The forum will take place August 14th, 15th & 16th at the St. Charles Convention Center.

This event brings together entrepreneurs, executives, policymakers, home managers, and community leaders for in-depth conversations and actionable strategies surrounding leadership development, business growth, and financial empowerment.

Educational Content Highlights:

Attendees will gain access to a curated lineup of interactive sessions designed to provide knowledge, tools, and inspiration, including:

• Keynote Addresses from trailblazing leaders across sectors

• Panel Discussions on navigating leadership, building intergenerational wealth, and overcoming systemic barriers

• Breakout Sessions offering hands-on training in areas such as:

  • Financial literacy & investing

  • Business development & scaling strategies

  • Personal branding & career advancement

  • Health and wellness for sustained leadership

• Mentorship & Networking sessions designed to foster meaningful, long-lasting connections

Whether you're a corporate executive, small business owner, side-hustler, or managing a household, the ELLA Forum is for you. All sessions are created to support women at every stage of their leadership journey—with real tools for real impact.

HER Mercado: A Marketplace for Empowerment

The forum will spotlight HER Mercado, a vibrant, open-to-the-public market celebrating women-owned businesses.
HER Mercado provides:

• A platform to showcase and sell products/services

• An opportunity to gain brand exposure

• A space to connect with new clients and expand your network

HER Mercado is more than a marketplace—it’s an economic empowerment engine and a celebration of Latina creativity and entrepreneurship.
Open    Thursday 1-8pm        Friday 10am-6pm        Saturday    10am - 6pm

Event Agenda
Thursday August 14, 2025
10:30-12:00     Registration/Vendor Set Up
11:00-11:45     Let's get in the vive with a soft stretching YOGA session
1:15-1:30        Welcome Remarks
1:30-2:30        Keynote: The State of the Female Hispanic in St. Louis with Martha Garcia Kampen, president and CEO of HCCSTL
2:45-3:45        Panel - Stories of Resilience and Success
4:00-5:00       BREAK OUT SESSIONS (Attendees chose their own pathway)
                        Option 1: Personal Branding & Executive Presence
                        Option 2: Entrepreneurship Success & Strategies
                        Option 3: Mental Load: Managing Household Resp. & Self-Care
5:15-6:00        FIRESIDE CHAT CONVERSATION
                        Lessons from St. Louis Trailblazers - A conversation with prominent business leaders
6:00-8:00        Welcome Cocktail Reception featuring Sazon Jazz Band