The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education (SLOCOE) maintained a prominent presence at the recent Women of Influence North County (wINC) event, hosted by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. Held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the SpringHill Suites & Resorts in Atascadero, the annual gathering brought together business leaders, public servants, and community advocates to celebrate regional leadership and civic achievement across North County.
This year’s event marked an expanded format for the program with the debut of the wINC Leadership & Impact Summit. The interactive morning session was created to foster deeper conversations around workplace growth, advocacy, and shared professional experiences before transitioning into the traditional award ceremony and community luncheon.
Keynote speaker Paula Mathias Fryer shares her most recent book, The YES Test Method.
Keynote Speaker: Paula Mathias Fryer
Highlighting the afternoon program as the event’s keynote speaker was Paula Mathias Fryer, author of The YES Test Method and Speak Up, Director at SLOCOE and and SLO Partners—an economic development initiative of SLOCOE.
Drawing on more than a decade of leadership in human resources, recruitment, and workforce strategy, Mathias Fryer addressed attendees on actionable approaches to career development and organizational leadership. Her keynote address highlighted practical tools for navigating professional advancement, building workforce training partnerships, and creating clear pathways for the next generation of regional talent.
SLOCOE Community Involvement and Leadership
While the overall event was organized and coordinated by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, several key SLOCOE team members participated in leadership and support roles throughout the day.
Serving as Board Chair for the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce and Early Childhood Education Policy Advocate for SLOCOE, Raechelle Bowlay played an active part in the event’s planning as a member of the wINC nomination committee. Bowlay also kicked off the day’s program, delivering opening remarks to welcome attendees and set the stage for the summit. Fellow SLOCOE team member Jenn Clayton joined in showing strong agency support by attending the gathering alongside regional partners.
Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Raechelle Bowlay delivered opening remarks to welcome attendees and set the stage for the summit.
Program Structure and Highlights
The day’s schedule was divided into two distinct components designed to combine actionable learning with community recognition.
The morning kicked off with the inaugural wINC Leadership & Impact Summit, which ran from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The Summit created space for facilitated roundtable discussions where participants shared workplace strategies, followed by a panel of local leaders who discussed practical lessons in leadership and workforce engagement.
Following the morning sessions, attendees gathered from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM for the annual wINC Impact Luncheon & Awards. Featuring Mathias Fryer’s keynote address, the luncheon honored local leaders whose work continues to strengthen North County communities, providing attendees with opportunities to connect and celebrate regional contributions.
Direct Support for Educational Programs
Beyond providing a platform for professional growth, the event directly invested in local educational and career pathways through its proceeds.
A portion of the event proceeds supported the AAUW Tech Trek program, which funds summer opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for middle school girls. In addition, funding helped support the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Scholarships, providing financial assistance to graduating Atascadero High School senior women pursuing business and entrepreneurial ambitions.
