An Amazing Day of Purpose, Promise, and Possibilities
Co-Hosts Cheryl Benton and Anne Akers
“I loved every minute; the relevant and important topics, the manner in which they were presented and discussed. The hosts and speakers delivered their presentations and discussion topics with professionalism, empathy, and wit. I learned a great deal, took lots of notes and made a list of sources and contacts for future reference. And then there was the JOY of being surrounded by so many fabulous women in a lovely setting where every detail was attended to. Your theme for the day was spot on.” ~Gabriella Contestable, author
“You both outdid yourselves. What an outstanding day on all fronts!!! I learned a lot and enjoyed each and every speaker. I think the takeaway learnings have given me a new pathway for the future and that is amazing. Thanks a million.” ~Judy Stewart, CEO, Create Sense, Inc
Video: Gabrielle Carlson
Anne Akers and I are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this year’s Renewal Summit at Scandinavia House on May 16. Your enthusiasm and engagement made all the effort worthwhile. It was truly a day of transformation, connection, and celebration, where visionaries, health leaders, tech pioneers, and creatives came together to explore new opportunities for women at every stage of life.
Here are some standout moments, along with a special feature on our sponsors and exhibitors. Stay tuned—videos of all the sessions will be available soon!
Event Highlights
Photos: Annie Watt, Jan Goldstoff
Our fabulous attendees.
Keynote Speaker: Sonia Satra kicked off the day with an inspiring talk on bringing dreams to life through movement, mindset, and emotional awareness.
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- Megan Harnett
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- Roni Jenkins with Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum
Artificial Intelligence & Health: Roni Jenkins interviewed Megan Harnett and Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, discussing how AI is revolutionizing women’s healthcare.
Woman of Purpose Award: Liz Abzug, founder of the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, was honored with a $10,000 grant in partnership with the She Angels Foundation.
Live Musical Performance: Steve Schalchlin moved the audience with an intimate performance, weaving story and melody into a deeply connective experience.
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- Amybeth Whissel with Sonia Satra
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- Dr. Barbara Bartlik with Sonia Satra
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- Dr. Dana Cohan with Sonia Satra
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- Dr. Risa Ryger with Dr. Amnon Barnea
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- Dr. Risa Ryger with Nicole Capach
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- Dr. Risa Ryger with Dr. Rudrani Banik
Health Panels: Experts in functional medicine, psychiatry, audiology, neuro-ophthalmology, and podiatry shared insights on long-term wellness.
Living Abroad Panel: Speakers encouraged attendees to embrace reinvention without age limits or borders.
Phyllis Haynes, Phyllis Stoller, Laura Begley Bloom, Jim Akers
Broadway Behind the Curtain: Randie Levine Miller and Joshua Ellis closed the day with jaw-dropping stories from Broadway’s golden age.
Many thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors
Throughout the summit, attendees explored luxury skincare, wellness retreats, and tech-based health solutions, mingled over lunch on the terrace, and wrapped up the day with a wine reception.
Panel Sponsors
Stress is Gone. Meet Brett Cotter, who has 25-years experience helping people heal emotional pain and find relief from trauma with coaching, 24/7 membership, and retreats at Omega, Kripalu, and Himalayan Institute.
Immunocologie Skincare . Meet Karen Ballou whose company is at the forefront of luxury skincare, combining advanced science with nature’s purest ingredients to create effective, non-toxic solutions that nourish and regenerate the skin. Their approach to skincare focuses on restoring balance and rejuvenating the skin’s natural radiance, making them a perfect partner in the wellness space.
OsteoStrong offers a cutting-edge approach to bone and skeletal health through a non-invasive, science-backed system that helps increase bone density and improve strength. Their innovative technology helps people of all ages build resilience and strength from within, enhancing overall health and longevity.
Exhibitors
OYA Health is revolutionizing personal wellness with a focus on integrative health solutions. With their holistic approach, OYA Health provides personalized plans that aim to optimize vitality, mental clarity, and physical well-being, empowering individuals to take charge of their health and live life to the fullest.
Intelligent Threads is transforming wellness through clothing designed to support the body’s natural balance and health. Using innovative fabrics and designs, Intelligent Threads creates garments that promote physical well-being by harnessing the power of advanced technology to enhance circulation, reduce stress, and encourage overall body harmony.
Sattache bags are designed for your daily life with a shoe compartment, the ultimate solution for the modern traveler, commuter, and busy urbanite. Store your shoes in style.
Say Sabastian Candle Co. Luxurious hand-poured, single-wick soy-blend candles offer a clean, toxin-free burn with rich exclusive fragrances that delight from the first light to the final burn.
Paula Jennings is leading a naure and yoga retreat on the stunning Cliffs of Moher in Ireland July 27-August 1! A native of the Emerald Isle, Paula is all about creating experiences that are both fun and freeing.
Seekelia Jewelry: Traditional Sicilian Jewelry. Meet Marina Monitto, designer of marvelous handmade Italian jewels inspired by the ancient art of crochet & tatting.
La Piccola NYC puts passion into every stitch, creating exquisite crochet handbags that are as unique as you are. Each piece is lovingly handmade, ensuring no two bags are alike.
Gold & Honey. Handmade in NYC their jewelry incorporates classic designs with on-trend details that you can wear all year long. Adding vibrant accessories to your every looks will make heads turn. Everyone will be asking, “where did you get those?!”
Roman Empire Farms. They produce seed to shelf hemp products using biodynamic farming principles that adhere to sustainable, holistic methods.
Sharp Again is a nonprofit dedicated to Alzheimer’s and dementia prevention, and empowers you with science-backed tools to prevent, slow, and even reverse cognitive decline.
Laura Kass is a NYC jewelry brand best known for its creative fine/demi-fine pieces. Laura uses recycled metals, silk, and 14kgold thread to create one-of-a-kind jewelry designs.
Amy Kanarek is a designer of artisan jewelry, elegant, custom, handcrafted.
Plećaš Jewelry is a unique and elegant jewelry brand of timeless, limited-edition, and one-of-a-kind pieces that serve as the perfect “accent” to any wardrobe.
The Three Tomatoes/Glow Beauty/She Angels Giving Circle. Our mission is to provide grants to grassroots women-founded non-profits that provide mentorship, funding & resources to a diverse portfolio of women’s and girls’ causes.
The Three Tomatoes Publishing. Amplifying women’s voices. Meet some of our authors.
The T-Salon T Salon is dedicated to delivering the finest gourmet blended organic sustainable teas to those who wish to enjoy a healthy and delicious experience.
Tost a delicious non-alcholic sparkling beverage
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
