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EMPWR IMPACT CORNER

CAROLYNN’S CHILDREN & FAMILY FOUNDATION

Turning Personal Journey Into Community Support

Sometimes the most powerful organizations are born from the most challenging moments. Carolynn's Children & Family Foundation, founded in 2024 by Sarah Wilkinson, emerged from a mother's personal journey when her daughter had her first grand mal seizure at just four years old.

What followed was a whirlwind of hospital visits, medications, sleepless nights, and fear of the unknown - but what no one prepares parents for is the quiet aftermath: the emotional exhaustion, financial strain, and the way it ripples through an entire family. When Sarah's youngest son also began having seizures, she realized firsthand how isolating this journey can feel for families.

This 501(c)(3) local charity based in Reno is dedicated to supporting children with disabilities and their families through tailored resources, advocacy, and compassionate guidance to ensure every child and family has the opportunity to thrive. The foundation focuses particularly on families navigating epilepsy and other disabilities, creating a supportive community network that understands the unique challenges these families face.

They're seeking community volunteers to help with outreach, event coordination, and spreading awareness about their mission.

Sarah's story is a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges can become our most meaningful contributions. By turning her family's struggles into a foundation that supports others, she's created something beautiful from something difficult - exactly the kind of transformation that happens when we choose to use our experiences to lift up others.

If you know a family who could benefit from Carolynn's Foundation's support, or if you're interested in getting involved as a volunteer or partner, you can find them online at carolynnfoundation.org.

At EMPWR, we celebrate nonprofits like Carolynn's Foundation that embody the spirit of turning personal challenges into community strength - showing us all what's possible when we lead with compassion and purpose.

Visit Their Website Here

EMPWR Member Spotlight

Dr Amy Sanguinetti of achieve health is EMPWR Collective’s new Secretary!

As a board-certified physician in both Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, Dr. Amy Sanguinetti, MD, PhD, brings a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to healthcare. She understands that each patient is unique and tailors her treatment plans to address their needs, particularly around weight-related illnesses.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Sanguinetti is an avid outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys the great outdoors through activities like cycling, running, and hiking. She is even leading a team for the 2026 Reno Tahoe Odyssey!

Amy’s love for physical activity not only keeps her healthy but also reflects her passion for a balanced and active lifestyle. She is also a devoted dog lover, and her two canine companions are cherished members of her family, which includes her husband, children, and beloved grandson.

DRS AMY SANGUINETTI & SARA TRIGERO

Achieve Health NV

With affordable, direct-pay memberships, it’s never been more convenient or accessible to manage your weight and improve your health. Our memberships cut out the insurance go-between, allowing us to provide affordable care and work with a smaller number of patients. 

Happy New Year, EMPWR family!

As we step into 2026, We are energized by the incredible momentum our community has built together. 

January is all about channeling that fresh-start energy into meaningful action. Are you refining your business strategy, launching a new service, or simply recommitting to your goals? 

This month, we're focusing on building sustainable momentum not just quick wins, but the kind of steady progress that transforms businesses and lives. 

Here's to making 2026 our most impactful year yet. 

Cheering you on, 

EMPWR Collective Team

December Highlights: Celebrating Growth & New Beginnings

What a way to wrap up 2025! December was absolutely magical for our EMPWR community, and we are still smiling thinking about all the incredible moments we shared.

Our annual Jingle Mingle Party was everything we hoped it would be and more. The "favorite things" gift exchange brought out the best in our community – watching members light up as they shared gifts they genuinely love was pure joy.

Glory Cloud Coffee provided the perfect cozy atmosphere, while Daddy's Tacos kept us all well-fed and happy. There's something special about gathering our entrepreneur family in December, celebrating not just the holidays but all we've accomplished together.

Speaking of Glory Cloud Coffee and Daddy's Tacos – We need to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to these incredible local businesses.

For the past year and a half, they've been more than venues; they've been true partners in giving birth to this organization we all love. They've welcomed us with open arms, supported our vision, and helped us create a space where women entrepreneurs could truly thrive.

Speaking of Glory Cloud Coffee and Daddy's Tacos – We need to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to these incredible local businesses.

It’s officially SHE-EO SUMMER here at EMPWR Collective, and we’re cranking up the confidence, clarity, and courage.

This month’s theme “Lead Like a Lady” is all about stepping into your power, owning your role as the visionary of your business (and your life), and saying goodbye to side-hustle energy. Whether you’re a team of one or leading a small empire, you are the CEO and it’s time to start acting like it.

Why this theme matters:

Too many women play small in their businesses. They wait to be “ready.” They wait for permission. They wait until it’s perfect.

Not anymore.

This June, we’re saying: show up, take the lead, and build the life and business you actually want.

You don’t need a corporate title, a million-dollar brand, or a team of twenty to lead like a SHE-EO. You just need to decide. And we’re here to do it together.

June Challenge: #EmpwrSheEO

To celebrate the power moves happening all around us, we’re kicking off a month-long challenge... complete with a prize!

Here’s how to play:

1. Take a photo of you doing something that makes you feel like a total SHE-EO.
   (Yes, that includes Zoom calls in your fuzzy slippers if that’s how you run the show!)

2. Post it in the EMPWR Facebook group using the hashtag #EmpwrSheEO
   Bonus points for telling us what SHE-EO energy you’re channeling this month!

3. Engage with others! Like, comment, support—it’s not just a challenge, it’s a movement.

The challenge runs through June 30th, and one powerhouse woman will be selected to win an EMPWR prize.

Let’s Rise Together

Whether you're launching something new, refining your systems, or finally taking a real CEO day off, this challenge is for YOU.

No gatekeeping. No perfectionism. Just empowered women showing up, shining, and supporting each other.

Let’s make June the month we stop winging it—and start leading it.

Ready to take the lead?

Join the challenge now in the FB Group
#EmpwrSheEO #SheEOSummer #LeadLikeALady #EmpwrCollective

This past Saturday night something truly beautiful happened.

One of our own EMPWR Collective members hosted a poetry reading fundraiser in support of her local nonprofit, the Carolynn Children & Family Foundation and the turnout was nothing short of inspiring.

Surrounded by community and carefully chosen words, we gathered to witness something powerful: the union of art, vulnerability and vision. We found out from its founder Sarah Wilkinson that $600 was raised in just one evening.

That’s $600 going directly into programs that support children and families in our local community. That’s the power of purpose-driven women taking up space, telling stories and rallying support. That’s what happens when community is more than a buzzword, it’s the heartbeat of everything we do.

Words That Moved Us

The poetry shared wasn’t just beautiful it was bold, raw and rooted in lived experience. It reminded us that language has the power to heal, to challenge and to connect. Whether attendees came to listen or to learn, everyone walked away feeling part of something bigger than themselves.

‍The EMPWR Effect

One of the most meaningful parts of the night? Watching a wave of EMPWR Collective members show up in full force to support, donate, encourage and just be there.

No selling. No pitches. Just community showing up for community.

That’s the kind of collective magic we’re building here. It’s not just about business it’s about backing each other’s dreams, projects, passions, and missions.

Thank You

To the host, to every person who showed up and to everyone who donated - thank you. You proved once again that when women gather with purpose, change happens.

We’ll keep showing up. We’ll keep empowering each other. And we’ll keep proving that this is what leadership, sisterhood and impact look like in action.

Want to be part of events like this?

Join us in the EMPWR Collective Facebook group or check out our calendar of events. You belong in this room — and we’re saving you a seat.

#EmpwrCollective #SheEOSummer #PoetryForACause #WomenSupportingWomen #CommunityPower #CarolynnFoundation #LocalImpact #LeadLikeALady #EmpwrInAction

Sunshine. Sisterhood. Still water.

There’s something powerful about starting your morning surrounded by strong women, blue skies, and a body of water that reminds you how peaceful and wildly alive you can feel all at once.

On Friday, members of the EMPWR Collective gathered at the beautiful Donner Lake for one of our most unforgettable Outdoor Adventure Series events yet: Paddleboarding + Lake Life.

The weather was absolute perfection—warm sun, crisp air, and calm, glassy water that begged us to leave stress behind and just float. Some of us were seasoned paddlers. Others were brand new. But we all showed up for the same reason:

✨ To move our bodies

✨ To connect with one another

✨ And to make space for joy in the middle of busy, ambitious lives

There’s something magical that happens when women entrepreneurs take time to play, unplug, and get outside together. Conversations turn into collaborations. Laughter breaks through mental fog. Confidence rises. And community gets stronger.

We’ll be back on the lake again soon (because YES, it was that good), but for now, here are a few reflections we’re carrying home:

She-EO Summer isn’t just about hustle—

It’s about leadership with intention, joy, and breath.

Growth happens in meetings…

But it also happens between paddle strokes.

Leadership doesn’t require burnout—

Sometimes it just requires a paddleboard and a group of women who remind you who you are.

Want to join our next Outdoor Adventure?

Check the calendar in our Facebook Group or on our events page and get ready to move, laugh, explore, and expand—together.

Because leadership doesn’t live behind a desk.

It lives everywhere you do.

#EmpwrCollective #OutdoorAdventureSeries #DonnerLakeMagic #SheEOSummer #PaddleAndPower #RenoWomenInBusiness #WomenWhoLeadTogether

May 2025 EMPWR Morning Meetup Recap

On a quiet spring morning in Sparks, a circle of women gathered at Glory Cloud Coffee Roasters for our May EMPWR Collective AM Meetup — and though our group was smaller this time, the energy was anything but.

We leaned into the intimacy of the moment and brought back one of our favorite original traditions: going around the room to introduce ourselves, share a business need, or offer a word of wisdom. What followed was a powerful exchange of vulnerability, insight, and support — the kind of connection that only happens when women show up fully and authentically.

Giving Back: Prodigal Youth Foundation

Each month, EMPWR features a local nonprofit, and this time we were proud to spotlight the incredible work of Prodigal Youth Foundation. Through our 50/50 raffle, we raised $75 to support their mission of uplifting and empowering youth in our community. Thank you to everyone who donated, participated, and helped make an impact.

✨ Words That Stuck With Us

From nuggets of business advice to reminders that “you don’t have to do it all alone,” our members shared wisdom that resonated deeply. This circle reminded us that even when the crowd is small, the ripples of support can be massive.

☕ Want to Join the Next One?

Our morning meetups happen every third Wednesday at 10:00 AM at Glory Cloud Coffee Roasters in Sparks. No pressure, no pitching — just genuine connection, community, and caffeine.

First time? Just show up. You’re already welcome.