Pursuing inspiration
Join us for Pursuing Inspiration, the Women’s Initiative of United Way’s signature annual event, where women across our community come together to be empowered, uplifted, and inspired.
This year’s theme, Intentional Joy, reminds us that happiness isn’t just something we feel; it’s something we can actively choose and cultivate, even amid life’s stressors and responsibilities.
Our keynote speaker, Stephanie Nash, will lead a dynamic and engaging session focused on practical strategies for nurturing joy in our daily lives.
Through a mix of storytelling, mindful exercises, and science-backed techniques, attendees will leave with:
- Tools to reduce stress and improve focus
- Strategies for cultivating self-compassion and emotional well-being
- Techniques for using body language to boost confidence and energy
- Tips for building a joyful mindset and healthier habits
Come ready to laugh, reflect, and walk away with tangible ways to lead a more joyful life, on purpose.
Pursuing inspiration 2025
Thursday, October 30, 2025
11:30 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn Toledo Downtown
Super Purse Raffle
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the Super Purse Raffle! More information about the purse raffle will be available soon.
We are actively seeking donations for gently used purses and items to put in them! For more information about donating, please email womensinitiative@unitedwaytoledo.org
Proceeds from this Purse Raffle support the Family & Child Abuse Prevention Center.
Thank you, Sponsors!
Sponsorship Opportunities available! If you or your company would be interested in supporting Women’s Initiative and receiving some special benefits, please view our sponsorship package. Questions? Email WomensInitiative@unitedwaytoledo.org.
Meet the speaker
Stephanie Nash
Founder, Strategic Mindfulness
Stephanie Nash is a mindfulness & body-language coach and speaker who is a top expert in the Unified Mindfulness system which she used when designing & teaching a mindfulness program for a Harvard Medical school brain study and for recordings for a Carnegie Mellon stress reduction study.
Stephanie has a psychology degree from Duke and a masters from Yale – and has had her brain studied by Harvard & UCLA. Her face may be familiar from her 40+ years as a working actress in television, film, theatre and many commercials. It was through her Yale School of Drama MFA training that she became fascinated with, and now teaches, how body language can affect thoughts & feelings.
Stephanie also taught expressive movement at University of Southern California (USC), comedy at the American Academy of Dramatic Art, and was an Associate Professor at the Art Center College of Design for 15 years where she taught film directors how to work with actors. Steph also teaches presentation skills to individuals, and as part of corporate training programs, and she was a guest expert on a Deepak Chopra show where she taught laughing meditation.
In addition to her online courses & private coaching, Stephanie gives presentations and specializes in helping people use mindfulness and optimized body language for stress reduction, pain management, shifting thinking/feeling habit patterns, and to enhance performance, productivity & well-being. Laughter is involved.