FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2026
MICHAEL'S ON EAST BALLROOM
PopUp Boutiques and Check-in: 10:30am
Luncheon Program: 11:30am to 1:30pm
SRQ MEDIA, powered by the Women Who Roar Initiative, invites you to join us for the
11th Annual Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 6, 2026 at Michael’s On East.
A signature SRQ Event, the Women Who Roar Luncheon event celebrates the local women who lead with purpose, serve with vision
and help shape the future of our community. Together, we will recognize the inspiring ambassadors of the Women Who Roar Leadership
Circle and announce the 2026 honorees who will be inducted into this year’s esteemed Leadership Circle Class of 2026.
More than an awards program, the Women Who Roar Initiative is a year-round movement designed to connect, elevate and empower
women across the region. Through meaningful networking, mentorship and community leadership, the initiative brings together
women from all sectors who are making an impact in business, philanthropy, education, nonprofit development, government, health,
science, cultural arts and beyond.
Each year, the Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon serves as a powerful gathering of past honorees, current nominees,
community partners and future changemakers. The program honors the previous year’s Leadership Circle Class while welcoming
a new class of extraordinary women selected through the annual Women Who Roar Competition.
Honorees will be recognized by name in the 2026 October “She Roars” edition of SRQ Magazine, with the Women Who Roar Awards
Special Sectionpublished in the February edition. The Women Who Roar Initiative also powers the SMARTGirl
Mentorship Summit, which supports and inspires middle school girls across the region.
Please join us as we celebrate the women who roar for progress, mentorship, leadership and community.
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS BELOW AND JOIN THE ROAR.
Co-founder of Kate Spade and
CEO + Founder of Frances Valentine
SRQ Magazine is proud to announce it will honor iconic fashion entrepreneur Elyce Arons as the recipient of the 2026 Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award at the Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Michael’s On East. The prestigious Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award recognizes a leading woman whose fearless spirit and groundbreaking contributions have not only shaped her industry but also inspired those who followed. Former award recipients include powerhouse producer Katie Nelson Thomson, USA Today bestselling author and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Kate White, global model and author Paulina Porizkova, CEO of MiMO Studios Cyma Zarghami, journalist and civil rights activist Dorothy Butler Gilliam, former editor-in-chief Town & Country and Travel & Leisure magazines Pamela Fiori and legendary fashion designer Adrienne Vittadini, among others.
Elyce Arons is the founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, a New York-based luxury apparel and accessories company. Frances Valentine celebrates the power of personal style through clothes and accessories that boost your mood and tell a story.
A 35-year fashion veteran, Elyce knows a thing or two about business and style. She famously chased her passion for fashion all the way from Kansas to New York City alongside her best friend, Kate, and co-founded Kate Spade in 1993. Elyce shepherded the company from inception to international success, growing it into one of the most iconic brands in modern fashion history, and was instrumental in its 2006 sale to Neiman Marcus Group.
In 2016, Elyce, Kate, and Andy Spade launched Frances Valentine as an evolution of their joyful style aesthetic; a brand with heart, soul, and a story to tell. In June 2025, Elyce published her debut memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, which debuted on the New York Times Best Seller list. The book chronicles her decades-long friendship with Kate Spade and the lessons she has learned building two iconic fashion brands.
Elyce has been featured on Good Morning America and The Today Show, and in publications including WWD, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. She lives in NYC with her husband and three daughters. When she is not running a global brand, you will find her gardening, playing tennis, or perusing the colorful stalls of a vintage market.
The 2026 Women Who Roar Trailblazer Award will be presented to Elyce Arons at SRQ Magazine’s 11th Annual Women Who Roar Leadership Awards Luncheon, where we will gather to connect, celebrate, and recognize this year’s Women Who Roar Award Honorees.
Check-in with the SRQ Team and browse popups of local boutiques offering jewelry, home goods, wellness products, makeup and more!
Find your seat, get comfortable and prepare to be inspired by the women in our region!
Hear from our CEO/Editor In Chief, Lisl Liang, our amazing Program Sponsors & Partners and our 2026 Trailblazer Honoree. Then, we will honor the outstanding women being awarded the 2026 Women Who Roar Leadership Award and welcome them into the esteemed WWR Leadership Circle.
Michael's On East Ballroom
Michael's On East Ballroom, 1212 S. East Avenue, Sarasota, Florida
Lauren Sutter
Marketing and Events Manager
lauren.sutter@srqme.com
For all other inquiries
Contact Us
Celebrate the sprit of our hometown with SRQ Magazine. Published 10x a year, SRQ Magazine captures the people, tastes, culture, boutiques and philanthropic hearts of Sarasota, Bradenton Area and the Barrier Islands on the West Coast of Florida. We invite you to experience living and loving local - in print and online. Welcome to the SRQ family!
SUBSCRIBESRQ Media transforms what it means to live and love local through its portfolio of hyper-local print and online publications including its flagship city regional SRQ Magazine, its documentary, and video production division Moving Stories and non-profit development division Story Project. The SRQ Media team leverages its strong audience footprint to catalyze visionary community programs such as SB2: Regional Symposia Series, Women in Business, SMARTgirl, SkillSHARE and ProjecThinkby engaging individuals to positively impact their hometown of Sarasota and the Bradenton Area situated on the vibrant West Coast of Florida.
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