WNM 2026 EmpowHer Forum: Stronger Together: Cultivating Connection & Collaboration in New Mexico

Stronger Together: Cultivating Connection and Collaboration in New Mexico You are cordially invited to join the WESST Farmington Women’s Business Centers this March to celebrate National Women’s History Month. This virtual gathering brings together women from across the state of New Mexico to bridge the gap between individual ambition and collective success. This year, we are shifting our focus to the two most vital resources in any woman's toolkit: Connection and Collaboration. We believe that when we move beyond the "solo-preneur" mindset and embrace the power of community, we unlock new levels of innovation and resilience.

Join our panel of inspiring leaders and business owners for a candid conversation on building authentic networks that provide both professional growth and emotional support. Discover how to identify partnership opportunities that amplify your impact, from cross-industry alliances to community-based projects. Engage in a collaborative environment where we share ideas for self-care, community love, and navigating the unique business landscape of 2026 and beyond. Celebrate the diverse journeys of New Mexico’s women and find your place in a statewide network dedicated to mutual success.

Panel Speakers

• Kathy Price is a veteran educator and advocate based in Farmington, New Mexico, recognized for her extensive work in child development and community health. She served as the Regional Childcare Coordinator for San Juan County and is currently a co-director of the 100% San Juan Initiative, a collaborative project dedicated to ensuring that every family in the county has access to vital medical, behavioral, and social services. With over 35 years of experience in the education sector, Kathy has served as a teacher specializing in Special Education (SPED) and gifted programs, a curriculum specialist, and a math/science coach.

• Inga Lee, Founder & Owner, Inner Peace Creations, LLC Inga believes that peace isn’t something you find—it’s something you create. As the founder of Inner Peace Creations, LLC, Inga has turned a lifelong passion for sensory wellness into a mission to bring light and tranquility into every home. Specializing in hand-poured, small-batch candles, Inga oversees every step of the process. From selecting sustainable waxes and premium fragrance oils to hand-centering every wick, her work is defined by a commitment to quality and a "slow-living" philosophy. Each candle is more than just a home accessory; it is a carefully crafted invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with oneself.

• Laris Manuelito, Founder & Owner, Ii’ni MarketPlace Laris Manuelito—a visionary entrepreneur, Iraq War veteran, and proud member of the Navajo Nation. Born for Tó’áhání and Naakaii Dine’é, Laris brings both ancestral strength and modern innovation to her work. She’s the founder of the Ii’ni MarketPlace, a groundbreaking grocery and resilience hub in Tohatchi, New Mexico, designed to combat food insecurity and uplift her community. Her journey—from serving as a paratrooper in Operation Iraqi Freedom to building sustainable infrastructure on Navajo land—is a testament to courage, purpose, and the power of Indigenous leadership.

• Kiana Estevez, Founder & Owner, Last Call Kombucha Kiana is a creative entrepreneur and community builder with over 13 years of hospitality leadership experience. Throughout her career, she observed how beverages — whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic — act as powerful connectors in our lives, present in celebration and commiseration alike. In 2024, she founded Last Call Kombucha, a tamarindo-infused beverage brand rooted in her Dominican heritage and inspired by family tradition. What began as a small experiment quickly evolved into a growing local business dedicated to bold seasonal flavors and intentional gathering spaces. For Kiana, the mission extends beyond what’s in the bottle. She believes community is the new luxury — and she builds experiences that reflect that belief. Through her signature Kombucha Bingo events, she creates alcohol-free social spaces that spotlight local businesses, circulate donated prizes, and strengthen New Mexico’s small business ecosystem. Each gathering is designed to foster collaboration over competition and connection over consumption.

Kiana’s work sits at the intersection of hospitality, culture, and entrepreneurship — cultivating environments where relationships are built, local economies are supported, and community becomes the most valuable offering on the table.

We look forward to seeing you virtually with other women in celebrating each other where your journey finds you and what lies ahead.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Please notify Janelle Henry at jhenry@wesst.org or 505.566.3715 when you register for the class, or no later than 24 hours prior to your class, so that WESST can make sure necessary accommodations are available. All programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.