Recap: Ladies Who Launch
In December, UWIB proudly hosted Ladies Who Launch, a panel discussion and networking event celebrating the intersection of ambition, identity, and entrepreneurship. The evening brought together a powerhouse group of women founders and leaders who shared candid stories of building businesses, breaking barriers, and redefining success on their own terms.
Guests heard from inspiring voices across industries who spoke to the challenges and triumphs of creating spaces that reflect their values. The event closed with a lively Q&A and a warm networking hour, reinforcing UWIB’s mission to educate, elevate, and empower women in business. It was a reminder that community, vulnerability, and bold vision are the true launchpads to leadership.
This year’s “Ladies Who Launch” panel was moderated by Payal Shah, the founder of fine jewelry brand L'Dezen, who guided the conversation with grace and insight. The featured founders included Mayssa Chehata, founder and CEO of low-sugar gummy brand Behave Candy; Maca Baigorria, co-founder of Jack, a startup reshaping the hiring industry; and Julia O'Mara, founder of Pickle, a platform for peer-to-peer closet sharing. Each panelist brought a unique founder journey to the table—ranging from disrupting legacy food and retail industries to scaling e-commerce ventures through scrappiness, storytelling, and community.
The panelists shared a refreshing mix of vulnerability and tactical insight, touching on everything from managing burnout to navigating bias in fundraising. Attendees left with concrete takeaways on how to scale a side hustle, cultivate resilience, and stay grounded in one’s values while building a business. The raw honesty on stage sparked thoughtful conversation in the room—and many stayed well past the formal program to keep those conversations going.
We’re grateful to everyone who showed up, asked questions, shared resources, and reminded us why UWIB’s community is so special. Ladies Who Launch was our final event of the year, and it perfectly embodied the momentum we’re carrying into 2026: intentional, inclusive, and boldly ambitious. Stay tuned for more programming that keeps this energy going.
