Growth in the Midst of Change: Women's Empowerment Panel

In a world shifting faster than ever, women continue to rise.

The Virtual Assistant and Administrative Empowerment Network (VAAEN) is proud to present a groundbreaking 2026 initiative that offers more than just inspiration it provides transformation. Through our monthly VAAEN Women’s Panel Series, we amplify voices, share resources, and hold space for women navigating life’s most uncertain chapters.

December 2025, we launched the first panel in our monthly livestream series titled:
“Growth in the Midst of Change” an authentic, spirit-led conversation that explored real challenges, resilience, and rebirth in uncertain times. Hosted by the passionate moderator Denise Sutton and brought to life by founder Teekwa Scarborough, this panel welcomed six powerhouse women who embodied strength, faith, and sisterhood.

This wasn’t just another livestream.
This was community.
This was courage.
This was clarity in motion.

Change is uncomfortable. Growth through that change? Even harder. But when women come together and share their real-life journeys, the struggles, setbacks, and silent victories, something powerful happens. Clarity forms. Strength is restored. And suddenly, the path forward doesn’t feel so overwhelming.

That’s what unfolded in a compelling panel hosted by Denise Sutton, featuring a dynamic group of women leaders from diverse backgrounds. The panel, titled Growth in the Midst of Change, wasn’t just another virtual discussion. It was a raw, transparent, and deeply uplifting dialogue about navigating uncertainty, reinventing yourself, and growing beyond what life throws at you.

This post captures the key messages from that conversation and is designed to speak directly to women facing transition, burnout, or a deep desire for something more.

Real Women, Real Journeys

The panelists each brought their own lived experience to the conversation. From entrepreneurship and leadership to life coaching and single motherhood, their stories represented many faces of growth.

Teekwa Scarborough, founder of the Virtual Assistant and Administrative Empowerment Network (VAAEN), opened with honesty about the pressures of being a single mother, a full-time employee, a nonprofit leader, and a business owner. Like many during the pandemic, she had grown used to the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Returning to a traditional 9-to-5 disrupted her routine and challenged her energy.

She shared how she began to feel burnt out and overwhelmed. Instead of continuing to operate on autopilot, she decided to lean deeper into her faith. That shift from self-reliance to spiritual reliance helped her rebuild structure in her days and rediscover her sense of purpose.

Khadijah Stewart’s story was equally powerful. After a painful divorce and the end of a toxic relationship, she found herself transitioning from part-time entrepreneur to full-time businesswoman, all while homeschooling, managing custody battles, and caring for her elderly father. It wasn’t easy, but she chose to see those challenges as fuel for self-discovery. She took inventory of her skills and turned them into income, launching herself as a consultant.

Carolina Hernandez, founder of The Strategy Shop, reflected on being a visionary who often tried to do too much at once. Her turning point came when she realized that just because she could do everything didn’t mean she should. Grounding herself spiritually helped her focus on one thing and do it well. That mindset shift allowed her to grow her business more strategically, without sacrificing peace.

Each woman had a moment where life didn’t go as planned. Regina Baker Chenier admitted she initially responded to the sudden change with frustration. In her words, “I had a temper tantrum.” But she didn’t stay there. Once the dust settled, she leaned on community, aligned herself with the right mentors, and pivoted with intention.

Georgette Van Vliet, a certified life coach and educator, shared that for her, challenges didn’t bring tantrums; they brought shutdowns. She struggled with depression for years. What helped her get unstuck wasn’t some big breakthrough, but a simple mantra: get up and do it again. That quiet persistence became her definition of resilience.

Mindset Matters More Than Motivation

When asked what a growth mindset meant to them, the panelists circled around a shared truth. Growth isn’t about having everything figured out; it’s about staying open. Open to new experiences, new information, and new versions of yourself.

Regina reflected on how her personal development and spirituality became intertwined. Reading books, having hard conversations, and making room for divine guidance gave her the clarity to move forward. She emphasized that a growth mindset means surrounding yourself with people who are willing to tell you what others won’t, to tear you down, but to build you up.

Teekwa added that growth requires a willingness to get uncomfortable. It’s about not staying where you started, especially when your spirit knows there’s more. Her personal practice includes journaling through frustration, praying through doubt, and leaning into the reminders of past victories to keep moving forward.

Kathy Durfee brought a fresh lens to the conversation by reminding us that sometimes, we don’t even realize we’re stuck. We may be operating from a version of ourselves that no longer serves us, following goals we set long ago without asking if they still fit. Her advice? Invite feedback. Ask people who think differently. Listen to perspectives outside your own bubble. That’s how you begin to see beyond the mental box you’re in.

Carolina expanded on this idea, encouraging women to evaluate how they feel in different environments and relationships. Are you energized or drained? Fulfilled or frustrated? She emphasized that sometimes growth means giving yourself permission to change your mind about what you once thought you wanted.

From Failure to Forward Movement

No conversation about growth is complete without talking about failure. And this panel didn’t shy away from it.

Georgette opened up about how shame used to paralyze her. But over time, she learned that failures could be reframed into confidence. Every rejection, every closed door became evidence of her strength. She began to ask herself, “Who do I want to become?” and aligned her choices with that vision.

Carolina added that one of the most powerful mindset shifts is learning to forgive yourself, especially for what you didn’t know at the time. Growth often requires brutal honesty, not just about the world around you, but about your own patterns.

As Kathy explained, you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control your response. Separating the event, your reaction, and your next move allows you to act with clarity rather than get stuck in emotion.

Community Is a Catalyst

Isolation is one of the most common side effects of personal or professional change. Which is why this panel spent time discussing the importance of community.

Carolina reminded everyone that being hyper-independent can be a survival mechanism, but it’s not always sustainable. She challenged women to reevaluate their support system and start asking for help without shame.

Teekwa echoed this, reminding the audience that even the most painful experiences can become stepping stones. Losing a job or leaving a long-term relationship isn’t the end; it’s often a divine setup for something greater. The key is to take inventory. What skills do you have? What strengths have you built quietly in the background? And how can they serve you now?

The conversation also turned practical, with several panelists recommending tools like ChatGPT to help women identify their transferable skills and potential income streams. Kathy emphasized that your network is your net worth. If someone you know sees the value in what you offer, they may know someone else who needs it too. It all starts with asking.

Hope in Action

As the conversation moved toward hope, the tone softened, but the message became even clearer.

Hope isn’t passive. It’s active. It’s choosing to believe in what you haven’t yet seen, even when the evidence is still catching up.

Regina framed hope as believing in your divine assignment. Carolina called it the decision to breathe and let go of what you can’t control. Kathy reminded everyone that they’re doing better than they think. And Georgette left the group with a simple, powerful truth: everything you need is already within you.

Final Words for Women in Transition

The panel closed with each woman offering a final message for those watching:

You are not behind.

You are not broken.

Your worth is not defined by what you do, but by who you are.

Take your time. Evaluate where you are. Celebrate what’s already working. And be brave enough to start small.

Sometimes the biggest growth comes not from changing everything, but from simply choosing not to give up.

"Trying is the win." — Kathy Durfee
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for." — Regina Baker
"Your worth is not in what you do—but who you are." — Carolina Hernandez
"Not where you start is where you're going to stay." — Teekwa Scarborough
"Get comfortable being uncomfortable." — Khadijah Stewart
"Your emotions matter—but they don’t get to make the decisions." — Georgette Van Vliet

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to believe that change is the end of something. But in the right community, with the right tools, change becomes a beginning.

Let the VAAEN Women’s Panel Series be your monthly touchpoint for support, education, and encouragement. This is not just about surviving life’s challenges—it’s about learning how to grow through them.

The next version of you is not only possible.
She’s already forming—right here, in the midst of change.

Action Steps to Get Involved

This panel was only the beginning. Here’s how you can take the next step:

1. Watch the Full Panel Replay
Find the entire discussion here: Growth in the Midst of Change – Watch Now

2. Subscribe to the Monthly Panel Series
Join our email list to stay updated on each month's panel, guest speakers, and exclusive resources. https://vaaen.org/monthly-paneldiscussion

3. Join the VAAEN Network
Whether you’re just starting out or in mid-career, the VAAEN Network provides mentorship, training, and a supportive community for administrative professionals and virtual assistants. https://vaaen.org/membership

4. Download Tools Shared by the Panelists
A resource kit with tools, links, and takeaways from each panel will be made available to subscribers and attendees. https://vaaenlivestream.my.canva.site/