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Spring Connection Gathering

  • Meadowbrook Farm 1711 Boalch Avenue Northwest North Bend, WA, 98045 United States (map)

Ambition. It drives careers, sparks innovation, and changes the world. But it’s also complicated. Is it selfish? Empowering? A requirement for success? Essential for “leaning in”?

At our Spring Connection Gathering, we’re bringing together a multigenerational panel of incredible women leaders to explore the many dimensions of ambition—how it has shaped their careers, the challenges they’ve faced, and what’s next for the future of women in leadership.

Expect real talk on what ambition actually looks like at different stages of our careers—how we set goals, redefine priorities, and take bold steps while staying true to our values.

Our Panelists

Featured
Rachel Ligtenberg - Executive Director of Pike Place Market PDA
Rachel Ligtenberg - Executive Director of Pike Place Market PDA

Rachel brings over three decades of leadership experience, including her role as Vice President of Retail Operations at REI, where she led flagship stores nationwide, and her work in innovative eCommerce at Netrush. Now, as the Executive Director of Pike Place Market PDA, she leads one of Seattle’s most iconic institutions.

💡 Why we’re excited to have her on the panel: Rachel has built a career rooted in servant leadership, proving that ambition and service aren’t opposing forces—they’re a powerful combination. Her perspective on leading with purpose, especially in high-profile leadership roles, will be invaluable to this conversation.

Sheyla Cerda - Program Manager & Digital Creator
Sheyla Cerda - Program Manager & Digital Creator

Sheyla lives at the intersection of corporate strategy and digital storytelling. By day, she’s a Supply Chain Program Analyst at Starbucks, where she’s worked across everything from food sourcing to app ordering systems to logistics tech.
Outside of her 9–5, Sheyla is also known as @shey.luh, a digital creator blending pop culture with business strategy. Her content breaks down everything from influencer product drops to federal budget logistics.

She brings sharp analysis, clear visuals (hello, giant whiteboard), and a whole lot of charisma to an audience of nearly half a million.

💡Why we’re excited to have her on the panel: Sheyla is a powerful example of what it looks like to build a portfolio career with intention and creativity. She brings a fresh perspective on blending ambition, influence, and impact across multiple lanes.

Brandy Ferrer - President/CEO Pathfinder Strategies
Brandy Ferrer - President/CEO Pathfinder Strategies

Brandy Ferrer learned early that what gets you promoted doesn’t always make you successful. Raised by two Air Force parents and shaped by constant change, she mastered adaptability. Throughout her career, she experienced both exceptional leadership and the kind that makes you question your life choices. That contrast revealed a critical gap—leaders are often promoted without the skills they need to succeed. She founded Pathfinder Strategies to bridge that gap, helping leaders build confidence, trust, and real impact. Creator of the SPARK program and bestselling author, Brandy believes leadership isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard.

💡 Why we’re excited to have her on the panel: Brandy embodies ambition on her own terms. She transformed her career experience into a thriving business, helping others lead with confidence. Her journey as an entrepreneur and business owner brings a unique and compelling perspective to our discussion.

Lindi Tardif - Tax Lawyer, Slalom & Co-Director of Women In Tech Seattle
Lindi Tardif - Tax Lawyer, Slalom & Co-Director of Women In Tech Seattle

Lindi is a bestselling author, international tax lawyer at Slalom, tech startup founder, and fierce advocate for women in tech. Born and raised in Soweto under apartheid South Africa, she defied systemic barriers to earn four degrees, qualify as an attorney there, and build a cross-continental career spanning public accounting (EY, KPMG, Deloitte), investment banking (Deutsche Bank), and big tech (Amazon).

💡 Why we’re excited to have her on the panel: Lindi has built a life at the intersection of grit and generosity. Her story is a testament to ambition beyond the traditional career ladder. She brings firsthand insight into navigating setbacks, redefining success, and building opportunity in the face of obstacles. Her journey is one of courage, resilience, and making space at every table she joins for others to succeed.

Martha Segovia - Associate Strategy Manager, Starbucks
Martha Segovia - Associate Strategy Manager, Starbucks

Martha is our Snoqualmie Valley representative on the panel, calling Snoqualmie home. She’s passionate about building community and creating spaces where people can connect and have real conversations. Professionally, she is an Associate Strategy Manager at Starbucks, driving transformative store format innovations that elevate the customer experience. With over 12 years of expertise in operations, global supply chain management, and strategy, she thrives at launching impactful products, programs, and processes. Martha excels at simplifying complexities and eliminating inefficiencies to create seamless experiences.

💡 Why we’re excited to have her on the panel: Martha knows ambition isn’t just about career moves—it’s also about impact. Whether driving large-scale innovation projects or fostering meaningful connections, she understands how ambition shapes both personal and professional growth. 

Panel Moderator: Wendy Parslow

SVWL is a volunteer-run group that invests all contributions back into providing quality programming and support for SVWL community members.

The Spring Connection Gathering is free to attend. Clicking “Register Now” will lead you to our default registration that includes a $15 contribution to help cover event costs.

That page will also give you options to help fuel the future events with a $25 contribution or to register for free.

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April 22

Cultivating a Strategic Mindset Workshop