Cabinette Ascent Summit | Female Founder Collective

THE ASCENT

September 30th, 2026
9AM - 6:30PM

SANTA MONICA PROPER

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

a message from

ALI & REBECCA

( the founders )

WHEN WE BUILT FEMALE FOUNDER COLLECTIVE, OUR MISSION WAS SIMPLE: TO MAKE WOMEN RICHER BY GIVING THEM THE RESOURCES, RELATIONSHIPS, AND ROOMS THEY DESERVE.

The Ascent is one of those rooms: an intimate in-person experience designed to meet you exactly where you are and help you get to what’s next.

WHAT IS THE ASCENT SUMMIT?

A one-day, high-impact gathering of founders who are ready to scale with intention. From keynotes and workshops to curated roundtables and breakouts, it’s a full day designed around the moments that spark real breakthroughs… on stage, at the table, and in the conversations in between. Best suited for high growth founders generating upwards of $5M+.

WHY ATTEND?

Because no founder scales alone. The path from early wins to sustainable, long-term success requires more than hustle, it takes clarity on your role, a trusted circle, and strategies and relationships you can actually use. This is the space where high growth founders open up about the shifts no one prepares you for, and where experts give you frameworks to navigate money, power, partnerships, and scale.

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

A clear-eyed roadmap for your next stage of growth
Honest insight into the founder-to-CEO transition, relationship shifts, and leadership evolution
Tangible strategies for wealth planning, scaling internationally, creative marketing, and preparing for exit
Personal brand clarity to strengthen both your company and your presence as a leader
A circle of founders and allies who understand the real challenges—and will be there long after the Summit ends

We created this day to feel different: less surface, more substance. You’ll walk out with new connections, sharper strategies, and the kind of momentum you can’t manufacture alone.

Pull up a chair. Bring your questions, your challenges, and your ambition. We’ll bring the community, the tools, and the space to think bigger.

We’d love for you to join us.

- Ali Wyatt & Rebecca Minkoff

A Look Back at Last Year’s Speakers

alison-wyatt

Alison Wyatt

CEO of Female Founder Collective

Allison_Fay

Allison Fay Novak

Executive Director, Head of Liquidity Specialists, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

Alpa Patel Vitale

Alpa Patel Vitale

Managing Director West Coast Lead, Wealth Planning and Advice, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

dulari-amin

Dulari Amin

Co-Founder of Sidelines VC

DainaTrout

Daina Trout

Co-Founder and longtime CEO of Health-Ade Kombucha

ebony-mackey

Ebony Mackey

Social Media Strategist & Virality Expert at EJ Content

jenefer-palmer

Jenefer Palmer

Founder of OSEA

julie_smolyansky_headshot

Julie Smolyansky

President and CEO of Lifeway Foods

Keleigh-Thomas-Morgan

Keleigh Thomas Morgan

Co-President and Partner at Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis

megan-molce

Megan Dolce

Co-Founder and Head Coach of RIPE

michelle-wahler

Michelle Wahler

Co-Founder and Former CEO of Beyond Yoga

robyn ward

Robyn Ward

CEO of FounderForward

rebecca-minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff

Co-Founder of Female Founder Collective and Founder of Rebecca Minkoff

sarah-jahnke

Sarah Jahnke

Co-Founder and CEO of Homecourt

Sarah Daya

Sarah Daya

Executive Director Central Lead, Wealth Planning and Advice, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

siffat-haider

Siffat Haider

Co-Founder of Arrae

Ellen Chen

Ellen Chen

Co-Founder of Mendocino Farms/Adventurous Concepts

The CLIMB( the schedule )

FROM KEYNOTES AND WORKSHOPS TO PERSONALIZED SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, FOLLOW THE PATH TO YOUR NEXT BREAKTHROUGH

The Cabinette Ascent Summit is designed for founders who are deep in the work, and ready to go deeper. This year's programming covers the questions members are actually wrestling with like how to scale yourself out of the day-to-day, how to build a brand that lasts, and how to think about exits and what comes after. And because AI is reshaping how consumer brands operate right now, we've built dedicated programming around it. Not the high-level hype, but the practical tools and workflows founders can put to use immediately. Expect honest conversations, real frameworks, and a room full of people who get it.

8:30-9:30AM | ARRIVAL & WELCOME BREAKFAST

9:30-10AM | OPENING KEYNOTE

10:05–11:50AM | Workshops & Panels

12:00–1:15PM | Seated Lunch & Roundtable Conversations

1:30–5:20PM | Breakout Sessions, Workshops, & Panels

5:20-6:30PM | Closing Circle & Cocktail Hour

Programming details to be announced*

11-11:50AM | THE FOUNDER’S ROLE + RELATIONSHIP SHIFTS PANEL

A discussion with founders and executives who have climbed the ranks while navigating the intersection of personal and business. Whether it be navigating co-founder relations, scaling a business with a partner or family member, or finding the right executive team members to usher in a new era of growth for the business, this candid conversation unpacks the real shifts founders face as both their businesses and personal lives evolve. Discussion includes:

Dealing with personal life integration
Building the right support system, both at home and in the office
Navigating identity shifts, personal integration, and succession without losing the vision

12-1:15PM | SEATED LUNCH & ROUNDTABLE CONVERSATIONS

At curated roundtables, dive into discussion prompts on navigating relationships — co-founders, family members, and the intersection of personal and professional life.

thank-you

1:30-2:20PM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS: CHOOSE YOUR GROWTH PATH

No two businesses are the same. Tailor your summit experience with sessions led by industry leaders that are designed to meet you where you are and help propel you forward. Topics include:

Strategic Partnerships + Collabs
Growth Levers Deep Dive: Mapping Your 2026 KPIs + Growth Opportunities
Preparing for International Expansion
Creative Marketing Strategies
Wealth Planning for Founders
Succession & Exit Planning

2:30-3:30PM | PERSONAL BRANDING PLAYBOOK WORKSHOP

Visibility is a growth lever — when done intentionally. In this hands-on session, you’ll develop your personal brand playbook and walk away with feedback on a headline or narrative you want to be known for — and a sharper strategy to turn your presence into profit.

3:40-4:20PM | MONEY, POWER, EXIT PANEL

Exiting a company is one of the biggest decisions a founder will ever make — and it’s about much more than the deal itself. This conversation brings together powerhouse founders and investors who’ve each navigated exits from different angles. Michelle Wahler, co-founder and former CEO of Beyond Yoga, will share lessons from scaling her brand to a $400M acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co. And Dulari Amin, entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Phenomenon, brings experience building a $100M+ company and guiding brands from early stage to IPO. Together, they’ll explore the signals it’s time to sell, how to define your personal exit number, the myths and trade-offs of acquisitions, and what it takes to build a legacy and a next chapter beyond the sale.

4:40-6:00PM | CLOSING CIRCLE & COCKTAIL HOUR

Seal the day with intention. Cap off the day with new ideas and connections with cocktails, small bites, and strategic networking.

workshop

FAQ

( frequently asked questions )

WHERE WILL THE EVENT BE HELD?

Canela Ballroom @ Santa Monica Proper Hotel
700 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE ONSITE?

Yes, the Proper Hotel offers valet parking (exact price TBC)

WHEN DOES PROGRAMMING BEGIN?

Check-in is from 8:30–9:30 AM. Main stage sessions begin promptly at 9:30 AM. Cocktail hour runs from 5:00–6:00 PM. View the full agenda in the SCHED app or on the event homepage.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR BREAKOUT SESSIONS?

More to come

WILL THERE BE FOOD?

Yes! Light breakfast and coffee will be served at check-in, followed by a seated lunch before breakouts. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water will be available throughout the day. We’ll wrap the day with light bites and cocktails.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Dress code is casual chic. You will be moving around throughout the day, so keep that in mind when planning your outfit. Pro tip: wear layers and comfortable shoes.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

At check-in, you’ll receive a personalized notebook, pen, and nametag. Please also bring ID, business cards, and anything else you need for a day of learning + networking.

SOCIAL SHARING

We’d love for you to post during the event! Please tag @thefemalefoundercollective in your posts + stories.

IS THERE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR NURSING MOTHERS?

We deeply support and celebrate nursing mothers. While The Ascent is an adults-only event, the Proper Hotel can provide a private guest room or closed-door office space for pumping, if needed. Please let us know in advance so we can help coordinate this accommodation.

REFUND POLICY

Unfortunately, tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION - WHO DO I CONTACT?

If you have any other questions please reach out to thecabinette@femalefoundercollective.com. We will do our best to get back to you within two (2) business days. Thanks in advance for your patience!

The STEP UP

( the tickets )

SECURE YOUR SEAT AT THE SUMMIT.
LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

*Given the nature of this event, all guests are subject to approval prior to ticket purchase. Please complete the form above—charges will only be processed upon approval.

The Ascent Summit is an invite-only event designed for women founders generating $5M+ in revenue and the ecosystem partners who support them (investors, attorneys, consultants, and more). If you’re earlier in your journey, stay tuned for more details about Female Founders Day in March 2027. Questions? Contact us at thecabinette@femalefoundercollective.com