10/06/2025
Before the CFO Leadership Council Conference kicks off here in Austin, I spent the weekend in a slightly different kind of pause.
Most weekends, slowing down means time at home with my family before another busy week. But this weekend was something new: a girls’ weekend with women I’m just starting to know. Two I met at last year’s conference, and a few I met for the first time this weekend.
What started as a few conference acquaintances has become something more — a small circle of women who support, share, and keep each other grounded in the midst of ambitious careers and busy lives.
We laughed, explored, and talked about everything from leadership to life. And somewhere in those conversations, I realized something.
Pausing isn’t just about rest. It’s about connection.
As leaders, we often equate momentum with progress. But sometimes, the best way to move forward is to step back, to listen, recharge, and surround yourself with people who remind you why you’re doing the work in the first place.
The conference begins tomorrow, and I’m ready for the strategy sessions, panels, and deep discussions ahead. But I’m walking in with more than notes and business cards. I’m walking in with perspective.
Because the right people don’t just energize you. They help you show up better, for your business, your team, and yourself.
— Laresa
