SAVE THE DATE

MARTHA'S VINEYARD

AUG 4-6, 2025

    Unleashing the Power of YOUR Power Retreat

    COI Ladder Institute is thrilled to present its 12th annual Unleashing Retreat for female and BIPOC founders, investors, and corporate partners who are prepared to drive their businesses forward by fostering impactful connections within a supportive community.This year’s Unleashing the Power of YOUR Power Retreat centers on cultivating meaningful relationships to drive personal and business success. This retreat will create a space that enables participants to develop deep, lasting connections.

    Female and BIPOC founders comprise a large percentage of US and global businesses yet are commonly underrepresented in securing venture funding. This gathering will offer actionable strategies from the most influential entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators, and strategic partners to advance and transform businesses through the power of connections.Central to all activities hosted at the retreat will be Founder Therapy. The founders’ physical, mental, and spiritual health will be thoughtfully woven into the agenda. Founders will leave the retreat equipped with strategies and tools to solve BIG problems that are sustained by profound connections.

    Past Years' Notable Speakers

    Registration is Closed

    AdmissionFee*
    Student Admission - Includes Founder Therapy, Workshops, Networking, Breakfast -2, Lunch -2, Appetizers, Reception, and Swag Bag.$99
    General Admission - Includes Founder Therapy, Workshops, Networking, Breakfast -2, Lunch -2, Appetizers, Reception, and Swag Bag.$249
    Leverage Your Power 2 for 1 - Leverage Your Power with 2 for 1 Unleashing passes. Applies to Student and General Admission rates only.$49.50 / $124.50
    VIP Admission - Includes General Pass Features Plus Priority Access, VIP Dinner, Connectivity Lounge, Content Replay and Premium Swag Items.$399
    VIP Dinner Pass - Join us for our VIP Dinner, where influential leaders in the startup ecosystem come together to celebrate the outstanding work being done to elevate female and BIPOC founders. Experience a unique opportunity to connect with visionaries and like-minded individuals that are leading impactful change.$200

    Retreat Venue

    Dr. Daniel Fisher House & Gardens
    99 Main Street
    Edgartown, MA 02539

    Ferry Reservations

    2024 Martha's Vineyard Summer Ferry Reservations

    Note: Ferry reservations open February 14th, 2024 at 8 AM.

    Housing & Lodging

    Links for available lodging on Martha's Vineyard

    Day 1: Mon | Aug 5

    Doing it forYOURSELF

    Venue: Old Whaling Church, Baylies Room

    TimeslotsSessions 
    12:00 PM - 4:00 PMRegistration 
    12:00 PM - 5:00 PMBuying Black Marketplace ViewWitness your ancestors' wildest dreams as you shop at the Buying Black Marketplace. This is an opportunity for the community to support venture backed startups across all industries. Meet the Founders at 12 PM and 3 PM.
    12:00 PM - 5:00 PMConnectivity Lounge (VIP Only)VIP registrants have access to the lounge to host drop-in meetings, take phone calls, meet with an expert, and enjoy a relaxed environment with your guest. (*Only one Guest / VIP so that all VIPs can be accommodated).
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PMFounders Therapy: “Soul Care: The Key to Harnessing Your Inner Power on the Founder Journey”This Founder Therapy session will elevate why founders need to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing at every stage of the founder journey. We will dialogue, reflect, and practice bite-sized, actionable tools that founders can integrate into their daily lives as they build successful and sustainable companies.
    3:30 PM - 5:00 PMThe Beauty of Success: Start, Grow, and Accelerate Your Brand + Book SigningOnce you are rooted in YOU, your value and the ability to stand in your power will enable you to make strategic decisions around moving your business forward.

    Day 2: Tue | Aug 6

    Doing it for yourFUTURE

    Venue: Dr. Daniel Fisher House & Old Whaling Church, Baylies Room

    TimeslotsSessions 
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PMRegisration 
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AMStand In YOUR Power Breakfast 
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PMBuying Black Marketplace ViewWitness your ancestors' wildest dreams as you shop at the Buying Black Marketplace. This is an opportunity for the community to support venture backed startups across all industries and stages. Meet the Founders at 11 AM.
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PMConnectivity Lounge (VIP Only)VIP registrants have access to the lounge to host drop-in meetings, take phone calls, meet with an expert, and enjoy a relaxed environment with your guest (one guest only to accommodate all VIPs).
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AMCreating Your Authentic Path to PowerTadia James, She has invested in and advised leading entrepreneurs building big visions to advance society.
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PMPower NetworkingLead with your POWER during the networking break and meet a new investor, accelerator, founder, executive coach or corporate and find at least five things you have in common. How can you work together? Make the ask!
    12:00 PM - 2:00 PMTable of 10 LuncheonLeverage your POWER to form new sustainable relationships over lunch. Find a quaint spot in Edgartown to enjoy lunch with new colleagues.
    2:00 PM - 3:00 PMBuilding Generational Wealth on Both SidesUntapped Investing, an angel group of high net worth individuals who are committed to upending the game for Black and Brown founders.
    3:15 PM - 4:30 PMBuying Black Marketplace ViewBlack Business Marketplace Founder Pitches
    4:30 PM - 6:00 PMPower Networking ReceptionEnjoy cocktails with other amazing people
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PMVIP Dinner* (VIP registrants only)VIP dinner for founders, investors, corporates and sponsors to cultivate relationships over dinner.

    Day 3: Wed | Aug 7

    Doing it for yourCONNECTIONS

    Venue: Old Whaling Church, Baylies Room

    Sessions 
    Coaching to Your PowerWith Investors, Accelerators, Executive Coaches, and Strategic Partners
    TimeslotsSessions 
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AMPower Breakfast 
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PMBuying Black Marketplace ViewWitness your ancestors' wildest dreams as you shop at the Buying Black Marketplace. This is an opportunity for the community to support venture backed startups across all industries and stages.
    9:00 AM - 1:30 PMConnectivity Lounge (VIP Only)VIP registrants have access to the lounge to host drop-in meetings, take phone calls, meet with an expert, and enjoy a relaxed environment with your guest (one guest only to accommodate all VIPs).
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AMThe Power of Your BrandSienna Farris, VP of Multicultural Marketing at Simon and Schuster.
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PMThe Art and Power of Non-ConformityThe most important innovator in our modern economy is the outlier who is not seduced by the rules. Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Sarah Blakely were all misfits at Google, Scotia Bank, and Disney before they transformed our lives. But, non-conformity is hard. There is a right and a wrong way to honor your inner voice that says “I’m not one of them.” In this talk Greg Larkin will share how to transform your weird into a superpower.
    12:00 AM - 1:30 PMExpert Speed Networking15 minute sessions in a speed dating format with Investors, Accelerators, PEOs, Legal, Executive Coaches, Corporates, etc. Each founder will have the opportunity to go through three - 15 minute rounds. This is the time to leverage YOUR Power to advance your company and your personal network.
    1:30 PMUntil We Meet Again LunchWalk in YOUR Power! Enjoy lunch as you exchange contacts and schedule follow-up meetings. Define a Power Project for yourself that will advance you and/or your business over the next quarter. Share your progress with the COI Ladder Institute team.

    COI Ladder Institute

    About COI Ladder Institute

    COI Ladder Institute, a program of STRIVE Inc., started with a simple premise: Make available to every woman and young professional the resources required to elevate their business to the next level. This is done by educating and empowering women so they could positively impact the space they occupy.This idea is the premise STRIVE Inc. was founded on in 1995 and still drives us today. The track record speaks to our commitment to women, youth, families, and the community at large.Net proceeds from each event benefits STRIVE’s STEM Leadership development program for students in 3rd thru 12th grades. You can make a tax deductible donation today to help a child realize her/his full potential.

    STRIVE Inc.

    The motivation for starting STRIVE in 1995 was to give back to young people and help build assets in the communities STRIVE serves. In 2013, the idea of expanding STRIVE to reach women and young professionals was born.Since our inception, we have hosted workshops and networking events throughout the country with our annual signature event hosted on Martha’s Vineyard every August.The founder believes that to whom much is given, much is required. She gives back and pays it forward because someone did the same for her.

    SaLisa L. Berrien
    Founder, COI Ladder Institute

    SaLisa L. Berrien, Founder and Board Chair, has over 25 years of experience in non-profit leadership and clean energy space. From volunteering at charities, mentoring, working at utilities and clean tech companies, to establishing an endowment and scholarships, she has been committed to making the space she occupies better than she found it. SaLisa holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and an Executive MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.One of SaLisa’s core values is philanthropy. She believes that to whom much is given, much is required. Her mission in life is to positively impact the space she occupies by building assets. STRIVE Inc. does that with its afterschool STEM leadership development program and female founders programming for tech startups.

    About Our Partners

    Thank You for your support.

    Sponsorship Interest?

    Check out the opportunities to elevate female and BIPOC founders to the next level. The Sponsorship Packages help ensure the quality programming our founders have come to enjoy continues. Make an impact today by pledging your level of support. Sponsorship is tax deductible.

    Downloadable Sponsor Packet

    Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the event!

    Toolbox

    Unleashing22 Founder Retreat (on-site) Includes 3 day wellness and resilience activities, networking, swag bag, 1:1 coaching

    Juneteenth Special Offer: Until June 19, 20242 for 1 Deal - Bring a friend with you for free. Get two tickets for the price of one.
    $249 $124.50

    Registration is Opening Soon.

    Registration is OPEN

    Due to COVID cases increasing, all sessions will be virtualexceptfor wellness activities which will be on-site (Martha's Vineyard)

    L I M I T E D - P R O M O
    ALL TICKETS ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING
    Includes both in-person & virtual attendance for Students, General Admission, and VIP
    Register today with code BOGO23 for Buy One Get One Free .

    B O G O - P R O M O
    ALL TICKETS ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING
    Includes both in-person & virtual attendance for Students, General Admission, and VIP

    Speakers & Panelists

    Speakers

    The COI Ladder Institute's Buying Black Marketplace

    We are dedicated to supporting and amplifying BIPOC businesses and foundersThis marketplace serves as a vibrant hub where you can explore and purchase a wide array of products and services offered by BIPOC tech-enabled businesses in the B2B, B2C, and Small-Medium categories. We aim to foster an empowering environment that celebrates the incredible talent and diversity within the BIPOC founder community.Join us in making a direct impact. Every purchase you make is a step towards supporting economic growth and closing the racial wealth gap. Explore the marketplace and discover everything from cutting-edge products and services to handcrafted goods, all created and offered by BIPOC founders. Let’s uplift and propel the success of these businesses together!

    B:B

    B:C

    SMB

    unleashing-mv@coiempowerment.com