The 13th Annual Women on the MOVE Summit brought business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs and community professionals together in Atlanta for a full day centered on leadership, growth, technology and meaningful connection.

Held September 17 at Microsoft Atlantic Yards in Midtown Atlanta, the 2026 Summit continued the mission of Business Women Empowerment Project, Inc. by creating a space where professionals could exchange ideas, gain practical business knowledge and build relationships designed to extend well beyond the event itself.

Created and produced by entrepreneur, author and business leader Dr. Kim McNair, Women on the MOVE has grown into a signature gathering for professionals looking to strengthen their businesses, careers and leadership skills while connecting with others shaping Atlanta’s business and civic communities.

This year’s program reflected a business landscape that continues to change rapidly. From artificial intelligence and personal branding to leadership, public policy and entrepreneurship, conversations throughout the day focused on how professionals can remain prepared, visible and positioned for new opportunities.

“The way we do business has changed, and we cannot continue doing business as usual,” McNair said. “We have to come together, share information, build meaningful relationships, and position ourselves for greater opportunities. This Summit is about making sure people leave with something they can use to grow their businesses, their brands and themselves.”

The Summit featured an accomplished lineup of speakers representing business, government, technology, law and community leadership.

Participants included David Shands, host of the Social Proof Podcast and widely known as “The Podcast King”; Cloteal Labroi, Director of Government Relations Infrastructure at Microsoft; Clayton County Chief Magistrate Judge Keisha Wright Hill; business attorney Joi-Lin Hunt, Esq.; Greg Clay, Deputy Chief of Staff for the City of Atlanta; Jay Bailey, President and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, also known as RICE; and Walter Vinson, Assistant General Manager of Business Diversity and Government Affairs for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The day opened with “The Business of You: Building Your Brand, Expanding Your Influence & Positioning for Growth,” setting the tone for conversations about visibility, professional identity and the importance of building a brand that reflects both expertise and purpose.

Another key session, “Leading Through Change: Pivoting with Confidence, Strategy & Purpose,” brought together senior leaders to discuss what leadership looks like when industries, workplaces and expectations continue to evolve.

Rather than focusing solely on titles or positions, the conversation centered on adaptability, decision-making and the ability to lead effectively through uncertainty.

Technology was also a major part of the 2026 Summit.

Microsoft presented “AI Advantage: Leveraging Copilot, Claude & ChatGPT to Grow Your Business,” a hands-on discussion focused on how artificial intelligence is being incorporated into everyday business operations.

The session gave attendees insight into how AI tools can support productivity, communication, content development, research, planning and other areas of business growth.

As more companies and entrepreneurs explore AI, the session provided an opportunity to move the conversation beyond theory and into practical application.

“Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and partnerships like Women on the MOVE bring that mission to life,” said Jon McKenley, Senior Manager of Community Affairs for Microsoft. “We’re proud to support a platform that empowers women, expands pathways into technology and leadership, and creates opportunities that strengthen our communities.”

Another standout portion of the program was “The All-Male Leadership Panel: A Conversation with Leaders Shaping Business, Government & Community.”

The discussion offered perspectives from male leaders working across corporate, civic and entrepreneurial spaces and explored leadership, collaboration, economic opportunity and community development.

While the Summit was built around education, the importance of relationships remained central throughout the day.

Attendees had multiple opportunities to connect with speakers, corporate executives, sponsors and fellow business owners. Those conversations created space for introductions, potential partnerships and professional relationships that can continue long after the Summit.

The event was supported by sponsors including Microsoft, Kroger, Southern Regional Medical Center, Creative Velocity, Life with Shenita, A1 Audio Visual and Avacend.

Kroger’s support reflected the Summit’s emphasis on developing women as leaders and giving them access to information and relationships that can support continued advancement.

“Women on the MOVE gives women something especially valuable: the encouragement to see themselves as leaders and the knowledge and relationships to help them advance,” said Tammie Young-Ennaemba, Corporate Affairs Manager for Kroger’s Atlanta Division.

She noted that the Summit allows attendees to hear candid leadership experiences directly from accomplished professionals while building stronger professional connections.

The impact of Women on the MOVE also extends beyond the professionals attending the annual Summit.

Proceeds from the event support the BWEP Leadership Academy for High School Girls, which has mentored more than 100 young women through programs focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, technology, life skills and personal development.

That connection between established professionals and the next generation remains a major part of the organization’s work.

For Dr. McNair and Business Women Empowerment Project, the Summit is ultimately about creating access to information, relationships and resources that can produce long-term results.

The 2026 Women on the MOVE Summit accomplished that by bringing together people from different industries and levels of leadership under one roof and encouraging conversations that extended beyond traditional networking.

From business strategy and personal branding to artificial intelligence and leadership development, attendees left Microsoft Atlantic Yards with new information, new connections and a broader view of what may be possible in their next chapter.

As Women on the MOVE enters its next year, its purpose remains clear: connect people, develop leaders and create opportunities for women to move forward in business and beyond.

For more information about Business Women Empowerment Project, Inc. and upcoming programs, visit www.bwepinc.org.