Progress, not perfection. That was the underlying message at the 12th annual Women’s Day at the SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club.
But with a full lineup of engaging speakers, inspiring stories and active networking opportunities for more than 250 professional women participating, the event came impressively close to perfect.
SAS Customer Success Manager Dominique Moon brought her signature energy and charisma to the stage as the event emcee, setting the tone for a day of authenticity and empowerment.
She was soon joined by Nadja Young, Sr Director, Sales, who moderated a standout panel titled “The New Rules of Leadership: Bold Moves in a Changing World.” Panelists included:
- Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, Secretary of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs for the State of North Carolina
- Estella Patterson, retired Chief of Police for the City of Raleigh
Despite their prestigious titles, both leaders struck a relatable chord with the audience.
“My approach is people first, build trust, move missions forward,” said Mallette. She claims one of the first things she had to learn in moving from active military, to international law firm, to state government was to redefine urgency. “What is a fire?” she asked, noting the importance of keeping everyday crises in perspective. Audience members appeared to take note.
Patterson encouraged attendees to “know your talent, make sure you’re competent, then fight for it.” She recalled being made deputy over administrative staff when serving on an earlier police force, but knew she was capable of more. She told her then-chief, “I will do this for a while, and I will do it well, but I want you to know that I have the ability to lead officers.” That moment of self-advocacy helped launch her into that exact opportunity with the City of Raleigh just a few years later, with that chief offering his highest recommendation.
Know your talent, make sure you’re competent, then fight for it.
Estella Patterson
Both panelists emphasized the importance of carving out time to reset. Patterson’s go-to is football. She and her husband are on a quest to visit every NFL stadium for a home game. Mallette prefers two-minute daily meditations (doubling to four on hectic days) and day-use hotels near airports for quiet workspace and downtime.
Communication, reimagined
Susan Hite, CEO of PsychoGeometrics, invited attendees to reshape how they communicate through change. Her framework links five communication styles to geometric shapes – block, triangle, circle, rectangle and squiggle – each offering insight into how people lead, parent and connect.
“The best leaders don’t just fit one shape,” said Hite. “They know how to shape, flex and grow.”
Participants completed an online assessment and discussed everyday scenarios – like budgeting or group dynamics—to better understand how small shifts in communication can lead to big results. “The mundane is connected to the miraculous,” Hite said. “That little thing can become valuable over time.”
The mundane is connected to the miraculous. That little thing can become valuable over time.
Susan Hite
Living the message
After lunch, Jennifer Bryson Robinson, Mayor Pro Tem from the Town of Cary (sponsor of Women’s Day), and Jeff Kleiber, Executive Director of the SAS Championship and SVP from Octagon, took the stage to share details about the SAS Championship’s 25-year history. Kleiber also introduced Jamie West, VP of Health and Well-Being at YMCA of the Triangle, the organization supported by this week’s events. West said the funds raised this year will go toward exploration in STEM experiences and careers, an area of interest to students involved in their programs.
“I like to say that every afternoon affects a lifetime,” West said.
Every afternoon affects a lifetime.
Jamie West
‘Embrace a training mindset’
Olympian Sarah Wells rounded out the day with a keynote that was equal parts grit and glitter. She shared her journey from a failed high school athlete to a 400-meter hurdle medalist, training 14 years for a 55-second race – and finishing just half a second behind the winner at the 2015 Pan American Games.
Her biggest challenge centered around a stress fracture that sidelined her for months – first three, then six, and eventually nine months – before the competition. “Nine months!” she said. “You can build a whole new human –with two femurs – in that time!”
Wells didn’t quit. She trained differently, built strength elsewhere, and kept the metaphorical “pot on the stove.” Her message: “Your biggest wins aren’t built on your best days. They’re built on the days you show up.”
Your biggest wins aren’t built on your best days. They’re built on the days you show up.
Sarah Wells
She encouraged attendees to find the one thing that’s possible – even when everything else feels out of reach –and go all in. She also recommends “breaking the blueprint” when the current one isn’t working. For example, Wells adjusted her stride count between hurdles from the sport standard of 15 to 16 to accommodate her injury and still compete at the highest level.
If the energy in the room was any indication, Women’s Day participants left ready to show up, speak up and step forward – embracing progress over perfection and taking change in stride.
