March 14, 2025 | By Lauren Savage, Director of Marketing and Communications

On March 6, I had the privilege of attending the Women’s History Month Luminary Summit, an experience I will not soon forget. The energy in the room was electric as women from all walks of life gathered together, cheering each other on and sharing their stories. It was a powerful reminder that our careers don’t have to follow a straight line and that resilience and passion are often the driving forces behind success. 

The speakers and panelists were beyond inspiring, offering insight, motivation, and the kind of encouragement that stays with you long after the event. The office hour sessions were equally valuable, providing practical, actionable takeaways to start implementing in your daily work and personal life right away. I walked away from the summit feeling more confident, empowered, and excited than ever before—reminded of the strength that comes from women supporting women. 

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Luminary's Founder, Cate Luzio, to reflect on this incredible event and the importance of empowering women in leadership. Cate's commitment to advancing women’s voices and her inspiring work through Luminary have made a lasting impact. Here’s what she had to say: 

What was the most exciting or meaningful part of the Women’s History Month Summit for you? 

The most impactful part of the summit is watching the connections happen so organically. You see people sitting and listening to the incredible speakers, lightbulbs going off as they hear something that truly resonates—whether with one person or the entire audience. Walking around, you witness these natural connections taking shape, and by the end of the day, everyone leaves with new insights, valuable advice, and meaningful relationships. 

You’ve previously said that every day should be about celebrating women and our history. What made you decide to host this event now? 

Coming out of the core part of the pandemic in 2022, people were yearning for in-person connection again. I also recognized the significant impact the pandemic had on women, with millions leaving the workforce. Women needed a space for community, support, and content to help them move forward. That was the rationale—let’s celebrate progress while also being honest about the challenges we’ve faced throughout the pandemic and continue to face. The demand was there, and March is an important month to acknowledge and celebrate women until true parity is achieved. 

How do events like the Women’s History Month Summit help support women in leadership and career growth? 

One of the key aspects of the summit is that it’s not just focused on one path. It offers tremendous opportunities for those navigating the traditional workforce, embarking on an entrepreneurial journey, or going through a career transition. Whether someone is taking a different step or looking for what’s next, the summit is designed to be inclusive and relevant. We are deliberate and intentional in shaping every conversation, session, and speaker selection to bring in diverse perspectives and backgrounds that resonate with anyone in the workplace. At Luminary, we’re building a different kind of community—one that is as inclusive as possible. 

What was your biggest inspiration for starting Luminary? 

I wanted to create something truly different—a new category that supports women on all journeys while not excluding men. Our world is so polarized and divided, and I saw an opportunity to take what I’ve learned in my own journey, work with men as allies, and create a space where we can cross-pollinate ideas, connect, learn from one another, and propel each other forward. Luminary is the culmination of my career, particularly in finance, where I realized there had to be a better way to foster growth and support—and I thought, why not me? 

We need these types of events and communities. We need allies in our journey. The more we can do to share, support, and uplift one another, the more we can move the needle and continue making progress. 

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The energy and inspiration from Luminary’s Women’s History Month Summit (learn more about Luminary here!) reaffirmed the importance of creating spaces where women can connect, learn, and lead. At Delivering Good, we are deeply committed to uplifting women through our programs and partnerships. Join us at our Women of Impact Summit on June 4, 2025, where we will continue these critical conversations and celebrate the incredible women making a difference in our communities. For tickets and sponsorship visit https://delivering-good.org/womenofimpact