WHO: Hosted by Women of OZ, PeopleForBikes, and USA Cycling
WHEN: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
WHERE: The Momentary Green, Rode House, and Barn | Bentonville, AR
WHAT: An all-day event focused on fundraising, empowering women leaders, education and awareness, and community building in the cycling and outdoor industries.
THE RISE FORUM
Empowering WOmen Leaders
As passionate riders who have felt the rush of conquering trails and embracing the thrill of mountain biking, we know how transformative this sport can be. Now, imagine sharing that joy with someone new – We have the power to make this happen!
Our mountain biking community is more than just a group of riders – we’re a supportive network of strong, inspiring women who lift each other up. By coming together and contributing to Women of OZ we can ensure that more women experience the empowering rush of mountain biking for the first time.
Your ticket purchase will directly fund programs that introduce newcomers to the sport, provide essential gear and safety equipment, and create welcoming environments where they can learn and grow. Together, we can foster a community where every woman feels empowered to push her boundaries, explore new trails, and discover her inner strength through mountain biking.
At the Rise Forum, we believe in the power of shared passion, the thrill of adventure, and the wisdom that women bring to the conversation. Women of OZ, PeopleForBikes, and USA Cycling are teaming up for this event to ignite your spirit and connect you with a community of women who have overcome challenges and barriers, are working towards a better system for women in the industry, and want to share their insights with you.
Mark your calendar for an experience that will inspire and empower!
THE RISE FORUM
agenda
On the Bike Programming
Ride Leaders
Kayla Hankins
Los Angeles, California
Kayla Hankins is a track sprint cyclist for the US National Team and resides in Los Angeles, CA. Kayla is preparing for the LA28 Olympic Games while working towards a degree at UCLA.
Mandy Marquardt
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Mandy resides in Allentown, PA and is currently a full-time professional cyclist for Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team. As part of the USA Cycling National Team, she has raced internationally at the Pan American Championships, UCI World Cups, Pan American Games, and UCI World Championships. A 27-time U.S. National Champion, Mandy currently holds five U.S National Records in the Women’s Standing 500m TT, 1km TT, Team Sprint, Team Sprint (2-riders) and Team Sprint (3-riders outdoors).
Paige Onweller
Bentonville, Arkansas
Paige Onweller is a professional off-road cyclist who specializes in gravel racing. Despite entering the sport at a later age, she has proven dominant in a short amount of time since racing. She took home big wins at Big Sugar Gravel in 2022 as well as a recent podium (3rd) at Unbound 2024. In 2023, she had numerous top 5 finishes at SBT, BWR California, Crusher, Big Sugar, The Rad, Redlands TT, Tour of the Gila TT as well as represented Team USA at the UCI Gravel Championships in Italy.
Crystal Anthony
Bentonville, Arkansas
Crystal Anthony has been competing professionally for over a decade in just about every off-road discipline: cyclocross, XC mountain bike, marathon mountain bike, enduro, gravel and mountain and gravel stage racing. In her career she has won 20 UCI cyclocross races, been named to 5 World Championship teams in various disciplines, earned a top-7 result at Nationals in five different disciplines, and competed in all three editions of the Life Time Grand Prix.
Don't Miss Out on Group Clinics and Rides Led by These Leaders
Insightful Discussions with Industry Leaders
Speakers
Dr. Ash Lovell
Dr. Lovell brings a diverse background to her role as PeopleForBikes’ Vice President of Government Relations. With her Ph.D. in environmental sociology and specialization in collaborative decision-making, Lovell excels at bringing people together to solve big, complex challenges. Ash leads PeopleForBikes’ policy and regulatory work, helping the industry accomplish major legislative and regulatory wins, as well as the organization’s engagement with our volunteer subcommittees including the BPSA TAC. Lovell launched the industry’s rider safety education program, E-Bike Smart, in 2023, oversees Hungry for Batteries, and brings the industry together to discuss the latest developments in the industry and learn from each other’s expertise. When she is not leading PFB’s bike business work, you can find Ash riding around Colorado with her family.
Speaking topic: Don’t Believe Me, Just Watch: How small changes are expanding access for women in cycling
Cara Osborne
Cara Osborne MSN, CNM, ScD is a nurse midwife who holds a Masters in Nursing from Vanderbilt, and a Masters and Doctorate in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. She spent her early career as a clinician, nursing professor and perinatal epidemiology researcher. Cara owned and operated her own health services business, and in 2013, she sold her business to the partners fund at Fortress Investment Group. She has spent the past three years as a professor of practice in Entrepreneurship at the University of Arkansas Sam M Walton College of Business, starting businesses and advising start-ups. She is a technical advisor to Diana Health, a venture backed comprehensive maternity care solution based in New York, founder of Blaize and Brooks Bourbon, Managing Partner at Native Spirit Holdings and a maternal health subject matter expert for Ingeborg Initiatives.
Speaking Topic: Innovation in Women’s Health and its Impact on Outdoor Industries: Cara will explore how innovations in women’s health, such as those she’s involved with through Diana Health and Ingeborg Initiatives, can have broader implications for the outdoor industry. Tackling the specific health needs of women can empower them to take on leadership roles and participate more fully in outdoor activities.
Timia Porter
Timia is a passionate cyclist, new criterion racer, community activist and entrepreneur who is making waves in the cycling and wellness spaces. As the founder of “One of Us” a new multi-sports group, she aims to foster inclusivity and build a supportive community through shared experiences on and off the bike. Timia’s vision extends beyond cycling—she is also the CEO of Turquoise + Salt, a brick-and-mortar wellness space that focuses on mindfulness and community, offering uniquely sourced and handmade goods, holistic services and experiences that foster healing. This space serves as a hub for wellness events and local small businesses, reflecting her commitment to soulful and conscious living.
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Timia serves as the Director of Business Development for Jelenew, where she leverages her extensive background in building partnerships and driving growth in the cycling industry. Her approach is centered on fostering collaboration and empowering communities through meaningful engagements. Whether she’s organizing cycling events, developing partnerships, or curating wellness experiences, Timia is dedicated to creating spaces where people can be supported in their healing journey and thrive.
You can follow her journey at www.turquoiseandsalt.com or on
Instagram at @pedal.porter.pedal | @turquoiseandsalt | @seeoneofus
Speaking Topic: You are your own asset
Erika Lehman
Erika Lehman hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado and is the Chief Operating Officer for USA Cycling, the national governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States. In this role, she oversees the membership, marketing, and event services departments while serving as a core member of the USA Cycling leadership team. Before moving into the COO role in February 2024, Erika served as the organization’s chief marketing officer, and before that, the marketing director for U.S. Figure Skating. Prior to working in the Olympic movement, Erika specialized in marketing, membership, and communications for a variety of museums and non-profit organizations and loves to geek out on art, history, and architecture. She holds a masters degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire, was a competitive figure skater for 15 years, and participated in her first bike race in April 2024. She adores coffee, cabernet, and orange cats and spends her spare time hiking, biking, skating, and painting.
Speaking Topic: The state of the industry for women in outdoor leadership
THE RISE FORUM
goals
Empowerment
Engage in discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities that highlight and celebrate female leadership in cycling.
Education and Awareness:
Gain insights into women’s leadership, wellness, mental health, technology in cycling, and the state of the industry for women in leadership roles.
Community Building
Foster connections and collaboration within the industry and local community.
Fundraising
Support programs and initiatives that empower women leaders and promote participation in cycling and outdoor leadership roles.
Auction
Donors
Sponsors
