Pictured: Sarasota Art Museum was filled with creativity and inspiration for the SMARTgirl Mentorship Summit experience. Photo by Wes Roberts.

On Monday, October 12, SRQ Media–celebrating ten years of the SRQ Women Who Roar Initiative–hosted the 2026 SMARTgirl Mentorship Summit and Leadership Luncheon at the Sarasota Art Museum (SAM). SMARTgirl introduces select elementary and middle school students from Sarasota and Manatee counties—including attendees from partner schools and local youth organizations–to inspiring regional leaders.

Through curated mentorship, hands-on workshops and powerful soft-skill training, students at the event met with role models and received the encouragement they need to see new possibilities for their futures. From financial literacy to leadership, creative problem-solving to career exploration, each activity was designed to show the girls that they are capable of doing anything. Every SMARTgirl left the event with new tools, new friends and a louder roar.

This year’s summit was filled with excitement and inspiration as the girls took part in several activities before the luncheon, including meet-and-greet icebreakers, a "pass the spark” beach ball catch and a 'Discover Your Spark' Workshop, where mentors connected with the girls to help them discover their own combination of strengths, interests and ways of making a difference.

A lineup of inspiring women leaders and organizations supported the program. Lisl Liang, CEO and President of SRQ MEDIA, opened the panel discussions with a heartfelt welcome: “Today is all about you, discovering what makes you unique, exploring what you are passionate about, meeting some amazing women from our community and learning how to tap into your strengths as you imagine your future career alongside your fabulous mentors.”

To conclude the afternoon, interactive keynote speaker Blair Bloomston, Founder & CEO of Leaders Uplifted, led group activities designed to foster leadership, confidence and team building. "For this moment," she said, "I want to inspire everyone to be the person who raises their hand all the way."

Pictured: Sarasota Art Museum was filled with creativity and inspiration for the SMARTgirl Mentorship Summit experience. Photo by Wes Roberts.