Women Unite to Ignite was created from a shared belief: when women feel seen, supported, and connected, they rise and bring others with them.
Founded by Rhoda Banks and Shannon Norman, Women Unite to Ignite is both a movement and an immersive retreat experience designed to foster confidence, a sense of belonging, and meaningful connections among women across all stages of life and career. Together, Rhoda and Shannon create intentional spaces where women can slow down, be fully themselves, and reconnect with what matters most.
Rooted in the guiding belief, "You Matter. You Belong. You Rise." Women Unite to Ignite blends facilitated learning, storytelling, reflection, and community to help women strengthen their voice, deepen relationships, and take bold, aligned action.
This work is grounded in lived experience, professional expertise, and a deep commitment to lifting women up, individually and collectively.

Rhonda Banks is a leadership coach, culture strategist, and confidence catalyst with over 25 years of experience helping people and organizations unlock potential and lead with purpose.
Her journey, from low-income housing to the boardroom, fuels her passion for developing women, cultivating inclusive cultures, and helping leaders break through limiting beliefs. Rhoda is known for her high energy, authenticity, and ability to turn complexity and “no-win” situations into clarity, momentum, and results.
Throughout her career, Rhoda has led enterprise-wide talent, culture, and
organizational development strategies, building people capability at scale and mentoring leaders at every level. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, executive coach, and published author who believes that confidence, community, and courage are essential ingredients for growth.
Rhoda is deeply committed to giving back and has served as a board member, mentor, and adjunct instructor, supporting the next generation of leaders through education, storytelling, and real-world application.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Lindenwood University and dual master’s degrees from Webster University, along with advanced certification in project management. Above all, Rhoda believes that when women unite, heal, and ignite, a breakthrough follows.

Shannon Norman is a keynote speaker, leadership and confidence coach, author, and founder of the Accept The Compliment® movement—a global message changing how people see themselves, one simple phrase at a time:
“Thank you.”
Because most people don’t struggle with giving compliments…they struggle with receiving them. And that impacts confidence, connection, and how they show up in their leadership and lives.
Through her signature talk, The Transformative Power of Accepting Compliments, Shannon helps audiences shift the way they think about their value. Her work blends storytelling, real-life experience, and interactive moments that leave people not just inspired—but changed.
With more than 25 years of experience in Human Resources and leadership coaching, Shannon has partnered with leaders at every level—from emerging leaders to executive teams—to build trust, strengthen culture, and drive meaningful results. She has helped organizations increase engagement, improve retention, and navigate growth and change with clarity and confidence.
Today, Shannon brings that real-world leadership expertise into every room she’s in—equipping individuals and teams to:
In addition to speaking, Shannon works with organizations through leadership development, and team effectiveness using proven frameworks like Everything DiSC® and The Five Behaviors®.
A Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation and former President of the ICF St. Louis chapter, Shannon is known for creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.
She earned her MBA from Southeast Missouri State University’s Harrison College of Business as a non-traditional student—an experience that continues to shape her belief that growth, confidence, and leadership are available at every stage of life.
At the heart of her work is a simple truth:
When people know they matter and feel they belong, they rise—and create better experiences for everyone around them.
Shannon can be found at:
shannonnormancoaching@gmail.com
www.shannonnormancoaching.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonnorman/
https://www.facebook.com/shannonnormancoaching
https://www.instagram.com/norman.shannon/
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